Rishi Sunak refused at the weekend to say if he used private GPs. Some people I know have commented that if he wishes to spend his money this way then this is a matter for him – and in any event reduces the pressure on the NHS. But in my view this misses the point. If the wealthy and those with political leverage don’t value and don’t use the NHS themselves (or state education for that matter) they will not be worrying as much or giving it the same priority attention as would be the case if they and their family did use it.

The NHS is creaking at the seams. This is obvious to all who use it. But it clearly is not as obvious to those who don’t and yet these are the people who are in charge of the health system and determine its funding.

Twelve years of Tory government have led to the NHS being run down and under- resourced whilst the private sector has flourished. So let Mr Sunak use his private doctors if he wishes but he should not be the person in charge of the system used by the great majority of citizens.

Philip Parry

South-West Herts Labour Party