Miliband revels in his NHS attack

Today’s PMQs was a reminder that whenever Ed Miliband goes on the NHS he is guaranteed a result. Indeed, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Miliband enjoying himself as much in the chamber as he was today.

When Andrew Lansley leaned over to try and tell Cameron the answer to a question, Miliband mockingly remarked ‘Let me say to the Health Secretary, I don’t think the PM wants advice from you’. As Cameron’s assaults became more direct, Miliband did not — as he often does — go into his shell. As he sat down at the end of it all, the Labour leader had to push down on his knee to disguise the adrenalin shakes he was having.

But perhaps the most interesting part of the exchanges was Cameron’s explicit defence of competition in the NHS. It was good to hear and a sign that he’s not about to water the bill down further in the face of threats from Lib Dem peers or activists.