Hain: Talking up Welsh healthcare

Peter Hain has warned voters that backing the Liberal Democrats in key marginals could let the Conservatives into power "by the back door".

In a push to ensure that "every fair minded" person across Britain votes Labour, the Wales secretary highlighted the government's record on job creation, the economy, health, tackling child poverty, helping pensioners and boosting police numbers.

Speaking at Welsh questions in the Commons on Wednesday, Hain said: "As a result of the Budget, an additional £155 million will be invested in Wales on top of measures to improve skills, productivity, entrepreneurship and council tax support."

But MPs from opposing parties were keen to point out government failings over the NHS and dentistry in Wales.

Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik said it had become virtually impossible to get NHS dental care.

"When the Liberal Democrats form the government of this country on May 6, we will fix this problem working with the assembly," Opik said.

"Since you have had the chance to fix this problem but have failed to do so, why should anyone believe that a re-elected Labour administration will fail to prevent the effective privatisation of the NHS dental services in Wales."

Hain responded by pointing out that with only two Lib Dem MPs currently representing Wales, there was a long way to go before they were likely to get into power.

'Success story'

Conservative Patrick Mercer attacked Hain's success story, claiming that for the past 15 months Welsh consultants had not been paid for the extra shifts they had to work due to a failure to implement new contracts.

He said: "Is it any wonder there are twice as many empty consultants' posts in Wales as there are in England? Surely that is unfair?"

Hain told MPs there were now 350 more whole-time equivalent consultants than in 1997 and 5,000 more qualified nurses.

He also said nearly 190,000 more patients were being seen in Welsh hospitals than under the Tories.

And the Cabinet minister turned the tables back on the Tories and said that GPs would certainly not get their pay rises under a Conservative government with plans to cut £35 billion of public spending.

"This is a health service that is going from strength to strength, with its budget doubled," Hain said.

"Whereas the Conservatives would attack the health service and privatise and charge in the way they always wanted to do, and if they win the election they will certainly do."