Cameron backs under-fire Lansley

Feb 21 2012

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley is doing "a very good" job and understands the NHS better than most, David Cameron has said in defence of the under-fire Cabinet minister.

Mr Lansley clashed publicly with a vocal opponent of his health service reforms as he entered Downing Street on Monday for a summit to discuss the controversial changes.

But the Prime Minister has backed his colleague, despite an opinion poll showing a majority of voters were in favour of ditching the legislation altogether.

Asked if he would sack the architect of the reforms, Mr Cameron said at a Downing Street press conference: "I think Andrew Lansley is doing a very good job.

"I have worked with him for many, many years and I think he understands the health service better than almost anyone else in Parliament and does a very good job and he has my support."

Mr Cameron said reform "always involves argument", but he is confident the Government can win the arguments and show the changes will improve the NHS.