I cannot tell a lie ... @ No 10

Arturo and I managed to sneak in to view one of the younger intern's computer monitors. It was fixed on the Health and Social Care Bill debate - luckily for us. Arturo couldn't wait to get a glimpse of Boudicca aka Liz Kendall.

"There she is!" He squeaked, catching sight of her. Dressed in bright blue, she looked every bit the heroine of the day, once again.

This time, however, there was someone else to speak out against 'Old Fox' Lansley's Bill. It was a man with a similar South Wales accent to Aneurin Bevan, post-war architect of the National Health Service. One Owen Smith, Labour MP for Pontypridd, who spoke with precision and fluency about what was wrong with the Bill.

Arturo and I had high hopes that 'Wailing Lad' Clegg might stick to his principles and speak up against the Bill, as well. However, he seems to think he has done his bit by putting forward some minor amendments! Most of the rest of the LibDems - hoping to hang on to the Coalition for as long as possible - also lost their principles.

"They're going to get a real drubbing - whenever the next election comes." Arturo whispered sagely! "If there's one thing humans hate - it's people who say one thing to get into power - then do the opposite once they're there!"

The Bill had its Third Reading tonight - it will now go to the Lords. Arturo hopes that they will be more robust. However, very quietly, I told him what the Noble Lord, Earl Howe, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Quality), Health had to say about the Health and Social Care Bill when he addressed Laing & Buisson’s Independent Healthcare Forum :

Now, we in government are regularly accused of favouring the private sector. We don’t.

To be honest, I don’t think it should matter one jot whether a patient is looked after by a hospital or a medical professional from the public, private or charitable sector. What matters is the quality of care they receive, the outcomes they get and that it always remains free at the point of delivery.

... huge opportunities for high quality companies that can provide high quality care. ... In the coming months and years, the National Health Service is going to evolve and grow into a very different animal.

Now the Noble Lord, Earl Howe was a former banker - so he knows a great deal about healthcare! He does, however, know a great deal about the quest for profit. So when he says there will be :huge opportunities for high quality companies that can provide high quality care, I'm sure people attending the Independent Healthcare Forum were rubbing their hands together - in anticipation.

I cannot tell a lie, I think the NHS is doomed. Unless that is - any LibDems who have a single principle remaining - take the bit between their teeth and actually do something! The first thing they need to do is shrug off the shackles of the Coalition - it will do them no favours, in the long run!

On to more mundane but feline centred matters!! My attention was drawn to something about old Larrykins in the papers! Yes, Larry upstairs, the pampered moggy who runs a mile if he sees a mouse's whiskers twitch - is to be the focus of a special quiz night in the State Rooms!!!! And what is the purpose of this quiz night? It is nothing more nor less than the raising of funds, by the Downing Street staff, to pay for Larry's keep!! The staff and presumably 'Boy David' said he would not be a drain on the 'public purse'. Can you believe it?

Every self-respecting cat provides for him or herself! Admittedly, the odd sardine and bowl of milk - a dash of cream and a piece of chicken breast - do not come amiss. But Arturo and I catch our own rats - and I cannot tell a lie - there are loads of rats running round Downing Street - some even have two legs.

'Bye'