Jamie Hepburn, SNP MSP for Central Scotland, has condemned members of the three main opposition parties who failed to support against free prescriptions in the Scottish Parliament.

His comments come following a vote in the Scottish Parliament in which Labour Conservative and Liberal Democrats MSPs failed to vote for an SNP amendment calling for the further reduction of prescription charges. The SNP Government has reduced prescription charges each year since 2008, and intends to do so again this year before they are abolished completely in 2011.

Speaking during a debate on the subject in the Scottish Parliament brought forward by the Tories in which they called for an end to the SNP Government approach to phasing out prescription charges, Jamie Hepburn MSP said:

“The facts are that prescription charges were never part of the original vision of the NHS and that the SNP Government is committed to using its powers to do all that it can to realise the vision of the NHS's founder, Nye Bevan, and many others who worked to introduce a national health service free at the point of access.

“Many generations of the Tory party have never reconciled themselves to that concept… many in [that] party are content to see people left behind in health care, as if the market's invisible hand has determined their lot. [They] have no objection to the kind of health care companies that we see in the United States exploiting the most vulnerable sectors of society to make massive profits, which they go on to use to manipulate the wider political system to their advantage. David Cameron's promise to protect the NHS has a hollow ring to it.”

Speaking later outside the Scottish Parliament Chamber, Jamie Hepburn MSP added:

“The actions of the opposition parties in Parliament today was quite astonishing.  It seems that during these difficult economic times, not one of them is willing to support the SNP Government’s abolition of prescription charges.

“It’s particularly shameful to see Labour politicians – who are never slow to claim credit for establishing NHS – sit on their hands and refuse to support the principle of free prescriptions for all.

“Labour Members will have to answer for their decision not to support free prescriptions.  It begs the question about where their priorities really lie when it comes to the poorest and most vulnerable members of our society.

“This vote shows clearly the difference between the SNP, who can be trusted to protect and improve our health service, and the London parties, who are fighting each other to see who can inflict the biggest cuts to our budget.”