If our politicians are to be believed we have the best armed forces in the world, the best firefighters, the most talented young people, the best farmers, the most effective democracy and so much more besides. How blessed are we to live in such a land of superlative achievements, such talented people, such enviable institutions.

Politicians the world over do the same, using cynical rhetorical devices to persuade some interest group or other that they are loved, or to reassure the public how wonderful everything is. But the one thing all British politicians fall over themselves to assert is that we have the best health service in the world. It seems almost impossible to mention the NHS without saying so. They then almost invariably go