Tory coalition of chaos with Nigel Farage ‘would lead to NHS charging for ops’

The warning comes as the two right-wing parties have been neck and neck in polls in recent weeks – with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch already facing questions about joining forces with Reform UK

A Tory coalition of chaos with Reform UK would lead to patients paying thousands of pounds for NHS treatment, it has been warned.

The two right-wing parties have been neck and neck in polls in recent weeks – with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch already facing questions about joining forces with Nigel Farage ’s party.

But Labour Together’s Jonathan Ashworth, writing for the Mirror, warned the price of such a “grubby deal” would be charges for NHS treatment.

Over Christmas Mr Farage floated the idea of charging for treatment on the NHS – which could mean more than £3,000 for cataract treatments or £12,500 for a hip replacement.

Mr Ashworth wrote: “The Tories are putting up a no-hoper as their leader in Kemi Badenoch – but a chaotic coalition of her with Farage calling the shots will be one that checks your purse before your pulse.”

‘ If Nigel Farage – backed up by Tory MPs – gets his way, Mirror readers will be left suffering in agony’

by Jonathan Ashworth, Chief Executive, Labour Together

Could you afford £3,243 for cataract treatment?

Or how about £12,500 for a hip replacement?

Maybe you don’t have the cash so you would need to put £13,625 on a credit card or take out a loan for knee surgery?

These are eye watering amounts. Unaffordable for so many apart from a lucky few.

But it’s Nigel Farage’s shocking plan for the NHS.

Over Christmas he let the cat out the bag telling a newspaper he wants to see charges introduced for health care.

Mark my words. If Nigel Farage – backed up by Tory MPs – gets his way, Mirror readers will be left suffering in agony unable to afford treatment at a local hospital.

If anyone is in doubt as to what the Farage charging plan means. Just look over at Donald Trump ’s USA where Nigel Farage spends so much time. Hard working people and pensioners face bankruptcy because health care bills are so enormous.

A USA style health system here with charges for care would be disastrous.

We’re proud of our free NHS in Britain.

Labour established the National Health Service after the war. We made it free at the point of use because every man, woman and child deserve the very best, quality care unburdened by worries over costs.

Fourteen years of the Tories did leave the NHS in ruin with ever lengthening queues.

That’s why Keir Starmer and health secretary Wes Streeting are rebuilding and reforming the NHS for today’s generation.

Labour is investing resources to bring down waiting times and equip staff with the most cutting-edge modern technology such as AI to transform care.

All that progress Labour is now making would be sent back to square one if the Tories ever got in again.

But the threat to the NHS in the future is even greater.

Top Tory Suella Braverman is already calling for a pact between the Tories and Reform.

We all know what the price of that grubby deal would be – charges for treatment in the NHS.

Yes, the Tories are putting up a no-hoper as their leader in Kemi Badenoch but a chaotic coalition of her with Farage calling the shots will be one that checks your purse before your pulse.

Don’t let Nigel Farage get his hands on the NHS.

Only Labour will deliver the quality care patients deserve free at the point of use.