Kemi Badenoch has suggested the public may one day change its mind on whether people should have to pay for access to healthcare.
The Conservative leadership contender was pressed about her views on the free use of the NHS in a broadcast interview as the Conservatives gather in Birmingham for their conference.
Tory former minister Ms Badenoch signalled on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg there is currently a “consensus” that the NHS should remain free at the point of use, but said she cannot say whether she might change her own mind on the matter in future.
She told the BBC: “That is a consensus that we have in this country.
“There are many ways to deliver a free at the point of use service that doesn’t require the Government to be involved in every aspect.”
Ms Badenoch, the MP for North West Essex, was pressed about remarks made in an interview with the Times newspaper where she said the UK is not “ready for changing the principle of free at the point of use, certainly not immediately”.
Asked whether this means she will support a change in free access to the health service in the future, she replied: “It might be that the public decide that.”
Pressed for her personal view, Ms Badenoch added: “I can’t say whether I might change my mind in the future. I am telling you what I think now.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel