If the Health and Social Care Bill passes through Parliament before Easter, it will mark the end of a political period in NHS politics. For the last 18 months it has been possible to define one’s overall political position as being for or against the Bill. This has meant that the Labour Party has been able to define its policy on the NHS through its stance on the Bill. That is perfectly legitimate for an opposition party. The Government proposes and the opposition – usually – opposes.

Given that the election took place in May 2010 it is also legitimate for an opposition to spend some time working through its policy rather than setting out its stall so far in advance of another election.