Andrew Lansley first speech as Health Secretary

Andrew Lansley first speech as Health Secretary; ENGLAND: East London: INT Andrew Lansley MP (Health Secretary, Con) speech SOT - Thank you all for being here, and for giving us the opportunity to show that patients are at the heart of our plans to improve the NHS. There was a moment, after six and a half years as Shadow Secretary, when the thought, “many a slip twixt cup and lip”, came back to me. Between the verdict of the electorate and the uncertainties of coalition-building, there were reasons to be cautious. But the people voted for change, and in relation to health and social care, we were readily and quickly able to bring together a Coalition Programme – one, I think, which promises, not just change, but a clear, consistent, coherent strategy for our health and social care services. May I just tell you, between ourselves, that there was of course that moment in the Cabinet Room, with the Prime Minister. As I sat down, I recalled a day, fifteen years ago, when David and I, who had worked together in the Conservative Research Department, were talking to George Osborne, who was leaving the Department. I said to David and George, “when you two are running the country” – we always knew they had it in them – “I want a job”. They gave me what my mother would call an ‘old-fashioned look’, “What job?” they said. So, I replied “I want to be the Governor General of Bermuda, with the shorts, the hat, especially the feathers – the lot!”. I’m happy to say the Prime Minister didn’t remember. Because over these years, as Shadow Secretary of State, I have shaped a personal ambition. An ambition rooted in the commitment to the core values of the NHS – of a comprehensive service, free at the point of use, based on need, not ability to pay. But an ambition beyond that. Beyond achieving equity and the social solidarity of access to a National Health Service. My ambition is that we can achieve health outcomes – and quality...