Dobson denounces Blair over hospitals

Tony Blair has no mandate – either from the Labour party or the voters – to introduce foundation hospitals, says Frank Dobson, a former health secretary.

Labour rebels, led by Mr Dobson, warned yesterday that at least 100 MPs could defy the Government on the issue, endangering its Commons majority.

Tony Blair and Alan Milburn, the Secretary of State for Health, launched a final attempt to win over their critics, holding out the prospect of all hospitals applying for foundation status within five years.

But in an interview in The Independent today, Mr Dobson delivers his most scathing critique of the policy. He warns that it could lead to the fragmentation of the NHS and the introduction of charges, vouchers or insurance for patients.

He attacks the Government for not putting the policy to voters at the last election and says it had never been endorsed by the party. "This proposition was being discussed privately before the general election, was never put to the electorate so we have no mandate for it from the public and has never been agreed by any policy making body in the Labour party," Mr Dobson said.

"The logic of the position about competition in the NHS and moving away from being a provider is charges, vouchers."

And Mr Dobson denounces the Prime Minister for "opening a new front" against the Labour grass roots who are still smarting from the war on Iraq. He insists that most party activists and MPs – including cabinet ministers – oppose the reforms.

More than 130 Labour backbenchers have signed a motion opposing foundation hospitals.