CONGRATULATIONS on your coverage of 65 years of the National Health Service (July 5). What an amazing health service for all we have in Oxford and the rest of Britain. It is paid for by taxpayers, delivered by dedicated doctors and nurses, and free to all – rich and poor alike.

The NHS was set up by the Labour Government after the Second World War, when this country was broke. The British public wanted to build a better world. No more fear of falling ill, no more people dying because they could not pay the doctor’s bills or infectious diseases going untreated.

Since then medical science, pursued at teaching hospitals like the John Radcliffe, has come on in leaps and bounds.

Thousands of people who would have died from heart disease or cancer are still enjoying life to the full. When Labour was in power we increased the numbers of nurses and doctors and built new hospitals.

But under this coalition Government waiting lists are again beginning to grow. Millions of pounds have been wasted on a top-down reorganisation, which David Cameron promised he would never make. Under the Tories and Lib Dems the threat of creeping privatisation and having to pay to get treated is always hovering.

Thank goodness for the vision of those health pioneers in 1948.

They had the good sense to create an NHS for the many, not private medicine for the few. We need that vision now not just for health but for housing, education, transport and jobs. The NHS in Oxford is public spending and public service at its very best.

JOHN TANNER (Labour Cllr) Board Member for a Cleaner, Greener Oxford City Councillor for Littlemore & County Councillor for Isis