‘UK wants Labour to make sure NHS ready lists come down from present near-record of seven.5 million’

Nobody could seriously doubt Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting’s commitment to reviving an ailing NHS left on its sick bed by 14 years of Tory neglect.

The Prime Minister and Health Secretary’s pledge to match £25billion with sweeping reforms may prove a tonic and restore a life-saving key service, reducing waiting times and raising patient satisfaction to levels enjoyed the last time Labour was in government.

Equally, nobody believes an NHS fit for the 21st century is achievable without sufficient nurses, doctors, midwives, specialists, ambulance crews and all the other vital staff.

So granting patients more choice – over where they are treated and how they book appointments – is welcome. But what really matters is seeing a doctor and being treated.

What we need, and what Labour must deliver, is waiting lists coming down from their current near-record of 7.5 million.

Nigel nobbled

Nigel Farage has been humiliated by his US megalomaniac hero Elon Musk, who brutally turned on the Reform UK leader.

In declaring that Farage “doesn’t have what it takes” and that Britain’s hard-right party needs a new leader, the world’s richest tycoon illustrated Farage’s stupidity in cuddling up to a toxic, reactionary billionaire who voices ignorant and dangerous views.

Farage played with fire and was burned when begging Musk to fund Reform and refusing to condemn the Tesla chief’s false and inflammatory smears about Keir Starmer and Minister Jess Phillips over grooming gangs.

Musk is a loose cannon, firing off lies and vile opinions in all directions. His next big falling-out may be with Donald Trump.

Hopefully, both will lose that fight.

Chill about ice

It is big coat weather across much of the UK but we will get through the chill.

Complaining about winter is an annual hobby for Brits – but then so is looking out for our vulnerable loved ones and neighbours.