IN reply to Councillor Susan Haworth's letter, February 17, I find it incredible that she is in denial about the untrue statements about UKIP policy on the NHS which appeared in her by-election leaflet, and are still appearing in current local Labour party leaflets.

She quotes J. Stanley, a former UKIP health forum member and deputy leader Paul Nuttall and seems to be confusing 'considerations and opinions' with policies. We are all entitled to air our opinions, views and considerations. It seems that quoted, out of date comments have made it very convenient for Labour to make false statements, indeed lies, about UKIP's policy on the NHS.

It has been turned into a political football by the other parties.

Let me make it quite clear to Councillor Haworth and her Labour colleagues in Bolton that UKIP policy on the NHS is that UKIP will keep the NHS free at the point of need and delivery and funded through taxation..

This has already been stated in leaflets published by UKIP locally, in the Press and published by UKIP nationally. UKIP will stop the further use of PFI in the NHS and encourage local authorities to buy out their PFI contracts very early where this is affordable. I would remind Councillor Haworth that it was actually Labour who introduced privatisation with the PFI system, leading to the financial burden of something like £300bn debt.

UKIP would invest £3bn extra in the NHS — this money to be spent on patients and their needs, not on management.

UKIP is a full supporter of the NHS — and UKIP is the only party which will save and keep the NHS free. That is our NHS policy.

Joan Johnson

Chairman,

UKIP Bolton Branch.