RUTH Davidson has revealed a shock U-turn on the Tories’ hardline opposition to free NHS prescriptions.

The party chief sparked ridicule as she confirmed the switch despite previously arguing the flagship SNP policy was causing patients to die.

1 Ruth Davidson has sparked ridicule with the move Credit: PA:Press Association

Tories, who have opposed free medicine since 2007 and backed an £8 fee last year, unveiled the new stance as part of their Westminster General Election campaign — even although the NHS is devolved to Holyrood.

Quizzed if the turnaround was simply opportunism, Ms Davidson said: “Part of a job in a representative democracy is to make decisions that are right for the country, but that also represent the will of the people of the country.

"And we know that there is a large amount of support for this policy and we recognise it.”

Conservatives have argued against the £1.3billion annual policy since Alex Salmond’s manifesto pledge ten years ago, and were the only party who fought to reverse the total abolition of fees in 2011.

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In 2012, the year after she became Scots party leader, Ms Davidson, below, warned it meant cash was being diverted from other areas, including vital cancer drugs.

She said: “People in Scotland are actively paying with their lives for this policy.”

A source close to Ms Davidson admitted the reversal was partly “political”.

But Tories said the switch was down to health spokesman MSP Donald Cameron, who was elected last year.

He said experts were reviewing charges and suggested fees could be introduced for cheap medicines including paracetamol and aspirin, which cost NHS Scotland £13.4million a year.

He added: “There is no doubt that people value the idea of free prescriptions.

“We have listened to them and changed our policy. But this has to be assessed thoughtfully.”



Labour’s Anas Sarwar last night accused Ms Davidson of a “humiliating shift” in a desperate hunt for votes.

He said: “Ruth Davidson has shown once again she will do and say anything to try and get elected but even now won’t fully commit to ensuring everyone has access to the medicine they need.”

And former First Minister Mr Salmond, SNP candidate for Gordon said: “Ruth Davidson used to describe free prescriptions as a ‘publicly-funded bribe’ - but this shows even the Tories recognise the SNP pursues the right policies for Scotland.

“While the Tories preside over a humanitarian crisis in the NHS in England, Scotland has the best performing health service in the UK.

“If the Tories want to ditch their nasty party image, they should be U-turning on their indefensible, cruel policies the bedroom tax, the rape clause, cuts to housing benefits and the graduate tax.”

chris.musson@the-sun.co.uk

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