David and I support the stand local Oxford East Liberal Democrats candidate Steve Goddard is taking against the massive £240m NHS cuts in Oxford.

Steve said:

Reports that NHS Oxfordshire would have to find £240m of savings over the next three years are proving to be true. This morning it is reported that this year the health service in Oxford will have to find £45m of savings. For all Labour’s talk about protecting the NHS and attacks on other parties for being honest about the deficit, we can clearly see now what they are going to do – cut frontline services. Patient care will be hit as hospitals are being told to admit fewer patients, for less time. Patient care and jobs are at risk because of Labour’s boom and bust approach to public services. These Labour cuts need to be stopped.

Labour’s refusal to name specific deficit reduction measures, unlike the Liberal Democrats, is clearly leading to a situation where panic is setting in and vital services are slashed. Why they have spent time attacking sensible proposals to cut costs, like scrapping ID cards and Trident, instead of clearly planning how to tackle the financial problems from the recession that they have presided over is beyond belief. For Labour in Oxford East politics has taken precedence over protecting key services. That is unforgivable.

Residents can sign Steve’s petition against the cuts here