NOBODY locally will ever forgive the Labour Party for the shameful destruction of our wonderful Kidderminster Hospital.

But don't be fooled, before that the Tories were heading the same way. Remember how they started the rot by blocking the promised consultant-led maternity unit and by moving child in-patient medical care to Worcester.

You simply cannot trust Labour or the Conservatives with the health service.

In the run-up to the 1997 General Election (no - not the last one - the one before that when David Lock got elected) we said in this very newspaper "Let's simply campaign to save Kidderminster Hospital ... what next, a decline into a cottage hospital or a merger with Worcester?" Sadly, we were all too right!

We then went on in that article to say:

"Nobody elects the so-called 'health authority' and that's why they don't speak up for us."

"Let's bring the health service back under democratic local control and let's fund it properly."

"Liberals pioneered the National Health Service and are appalled at its present condition."

"We believe the NHS should be the primary provider of medical care, with private medicine available as a supplement rather than as a superior alternative for the better off."

he NHS was once the envy of the world. It has been eroded and betrayed ... Let's make our health service the envy of the world once again."

Care in the community is great, but it needs proper funding. It should be the best option, not the cheap and nasty option."

We were right back then in 1997 and we are still right today - eight years later - in 2005, which is why Liberals say:

Bring accident and emergency and other key services back to Kidderminster Hospital.

Bring back the Wyre Forest Birth Centre, post-natal beds and all ante-natal services to Kidderminster.

Adequate funding for the health service - adequate funding which actually gets through to where it is really needed - must be a national priority.

Take Whitehall meddling and red tape out of the health service and put patients first.

We need direct public investment in the NHS and not crazy PFI projects which boost private company profits instead of patient care.

We desperately need locally elected health authorities answerable directly to local people.

We must have full 24-hour doctor cover at the Minor Injuries Unit.

We desperately need to restore free eye tests for all.

NHS dentists must be available for everyone who needs them.

Nobody should have to sell their home to pay for care.

Restore Government cuts in funding for "Supporting People" which are about to really hit Wyre Forest elderly - help elderly people to live independently in their own homes for as long as they want to.

Bring hospital cleaning back under the direct control of senior nursing staff.

Our health service needs your support. Our doctors, nurses and health workers need your support. Vote for the health service. Vote Liberal.