Returning for his third stint in health after a brief spell in education, Labour's shadow health secretary has taken to his return like an attack dog with teeth – unlike his predecessor John Healy. He wasted no time in taking Andrew Lansley to task and generating negative headlines for the Government, armed with data on burgeoning waiting lists and the rationing of NHS care. His attacks sometimes come across as opportunist, considering his party's history on the NHS, but our panel said he had gained their respect ‘for standing up for general practice' and promising to repeal the health act.
