Taarabt's time to shine

Frustrating. Nightmare. Liability.

Those are just three of the words often used to describe Queens Park Rangers' enigmatic playmaker Adel Taarabt.

He can make you tear your hair out. Sometimes he shoots from ridiculous angles. Sometimes he ignores teammates in good positions. Sometimes he strops if things don't go his way.

But intertwined among all his faults is perhaps the most talented footballer I have ever seen in a QPR shirt.

OK, so maybe that's not saying much. Seriously though, the guy is a modern-day maverick. His extensive catalogue of flicks and tricks, his ability to score ridiculous goals and the way he winds up opposition fans mean it's hard not to be totally fixated by the Moroccan whenever he's on the ball.

He was instrumental last season in securing QPR's promotion from the Championship - a picture illustrated by his 19 goals and 16 assists.

Of course, his critics will say, it's all well and good doing the business in the second tier of English football - can he do it in the Premier League?

Well for an elongated period of time, the answer to that seemed to be no.

Talk of a summer transfer to Paris Saint-Germain unsettled Taarabt, who admitted his 'head was in Paris,' before the move collapsed when Leonardo arrived as the French club's sporting director.

Fine early season performances at home to Newcastle and Aston Villa brought promise for better things to come, but the sparkling performances that had seen Taarabt voted the Championship's best player the season before were not forthcoming.

He was no longer the centre of attention at QPR - Tony Fernandes became major shareholder of the west London club and enabled boss Neil Warnock to sign big-name players Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joey Barton.

Warnock took the captain's armband off Taarabt, gave it to Barton and from then on in, things went downhill for the playmaker.

An ineffective performance against former club Tottenham Hotspur in late October was the final straw, and Taarabt was dropped.

The saddest thing was that he looked like he'd lost his flair. Everything that made him brilliantly original to watch - the bare-faced cheek and arrogance ever-present throughout the previous season, seemingly gone.

He wouldn't start a game again until just before the New Year, by which time Warnock was under serious pressure as QPR's slide towards the relegation zone showed little sign of ending.

Thankfully, Taarabt's return proved he hadn't lost what makes him such an original footballer. The outrageous skill was back, complimented nicely by an improved work-rate.

It wasn't enough to save Warnock though, who was sacked by Fernandes after a 1-1 draw away to MK Dons in the FA Cup third round.

Mark Hughes was quickly appointed and Rangers again splashed the cash, landing the likes of Samba Diakite, Bobby Zamora, and probably most impressively, Djibril Cisse.

Under the guidance of the ex-Manchester City manager, Taarabt's defensive play has improved immeasurably. Thankfully though, the freedom the Moroccan has often enjoyed is still present in his play.

After waiting an age for a Premier League goal, two came in the space of three weeks.

The first, against Arsenal, was typical Taarabt. Picking the ball up with his back to goal, he turned before nutmegging Thomas Vermaelen, and then holding off the Belgian before stroking the ball past Wojciech Szczesny.

The second, a fine free-kick from 25 yards, sealed a crucial 1-0 victory against Tottenham.

After initially struggling, 'Tarbs' is now demonstrating that he can make the step up to Premier League level - coming to the fore as QPR fight to remain in the Premier League.

The temperament is still as unpredictable as ever. But that's what makes him what he is. Take the temper, the unpredictability and the arrogance from Taarabt's game and you are left with the shadow of the player he could still become. He is, after all, still only 22 years of age.

Yes, he still needs to improve. Yes, he's a luxury player. And yes, he needs to stop wearing gloves in May.

But, irrespective of whether QPR can stay in the Premier League, Adel Taarabt has to be playing at the top level next season.

Inside the stroppy, maverick interior is a man who is beginning to turn into one hell of a footballer.

Bolton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur – Text commentary

Bolton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur – Text commentary

1930: Good Evening - What a massive game this is for both clubs! Spurs, of course, need to win tonight to keep the push for Champions League football alive. But it's a big game for the hosts too - a win tonight would take Bolton three points clear of the relegation zone with just two games to play. It's most definitely game on.

1950: Very emotional scenes as Fabrice Muamba is paraded around the pitch. The England under-21 midfielder's recovery from the cardiac arrest he suffered when the two sides met at White Hart Lane just 47 days ago has been absolutely astounding and it's excellent to see him fit and well. Both sets of fans give Muamba a standing ovation and sing his name.

1955: The teams are in the tunnel and we are nearly underway in chilly Bolton. The teams are in, and Spurs are unchanged after Aaron Lennon passes a late fitness test. Bolton are also unchanged from their 2-2 draw at Sunderland at the weekend.

Bolton Wanderers: Bogdan, Ricketts, Boyata, Wheater, Ream, Eagles, M. Davies, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Ngog, K.Davies.

Tottenham Hotspur: Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, Gallas, Rose, Lennon, Modric, Sandro, Bale, Van der Vaart, Adebayor.

2000: We're off and running at the Reebok.

2 mins: It's Spurs who fashion the first chance. Van der Vaart's corner is met by Emmanuel Adebayor - who flicks his headed effort just wide.

5 mins: I tell you what - you wouldn't know that Aaron Lennon was struggling in the lead up to this game. The knock he took against Blackburn on Sunday doesn't look to be affecting him here. He's buzzing around and you get the feeling Sam Ricketts is going to be in for a long evening trying to keep the England winger quiet.

11 mins: CHANCE. First real chance of the game, and it goes to Spurs. Gareth Bale is given too much space outside the Bolton area, and after Adam Bogdan spills his 25-yard effort, the goalkeeper is alert to make a really good save to deny Van der Vaart from the rebound.

13 mins: Spurs are really starting to knock on the Bolton door now. Van der Vaart's fine through ball releases Adebayor, but his touch lets him down as he bears down on Bogdan's goal.

17 mins: It's still all Tottenham. Lennon is causing all sorts of problems, and after a one-two with Adebayor, his shot is deflected just over the bar.

21 mins: Bolton have settled down and are starting to get into the game.

24 mins: How are Spurs not ahead? This time it's Bale whose pace proves too much for Bolton's backline - and after he outpaces both Boyata and Wheater, his low cross evades everyone.

27 mins: For anyone out there who thinks I'm being biased here - I'm not. Bolton have created nothing so far and it's all Spurs.

30 mins: After Bale is felled 25 yards out, Van der Vaart bends the resultant free-kick just wide, though Bogdan probably had it covered.

35 mins: CHANCE. Bolton have finally woken up. Martin Petrov gets away from Kyle Walker before firing a low cross in. Nobody can meet it, but Chris Eagles pulls the ball back to David Ngog. The Liverpool winger is unmarked six yards out, but Brad Friedel comes out of his goal quickly and does well to block the shot.

36 mins: This game is heating up nicely now. Spurs go straight back on the attack, and after Adebayor robs Reo-Coker, he feeds Van der Vaart whose low right foot shot is well parried by Bogdan.

37 mins: GOAL! And what a goal it is. Tottenham finally make the breakthrough. Van der Vaart's corner is played all the way back to Luka Modric. He controls the ball on his chest before arrowing a 25-yard screamer right into the top corner.

40 mins: Spurs go close to adding another before half-time. Another Van der Vaart corner causes difficult for Bolton. This time he picks out Sandro, who, completely unmarked, can only guide his header wide of the target.

42 mins: PENALTY APPEAL. The home side think they've got a shout for a penalty. Ngog falls to the ground as he tries to wriggle past Younes Kaboul and William Gallas. Ref Mike Dean, however, does not point to the spot.

45 + 2 mins: CHANCE. Ohhh! What a chance for the home side. Kevin Davies heads a freekick back across goal, and from just six yards out, Boyata baloons his effort well over the bar. Big let off for Spurs.

HALF-TIME - Bolton 0-1 Tottenham.

Spurs deserve their lead and could really have been out of sight. Van der Vaart and Lennon have looked especially lively. Bolton have come into the game as the half has wore on, and could regret Boyata's miss on the stroke of half-time.

47 mins: Real purpose to Bolton at the start of this second half. They're zipping the ball around with real purpose and controlling possession.

51 mins: GOAL. Bolton's best spell so far is rewarded. Spurs can't clear a long throw properly, and after Ngog backheels the ball into his path, Reo-Coker smashes it past Brad Friedel. Game very much on.

52 mins: Petrov has been a constant thorn in the side of Kyle Walker tonight, and Walker is booked after pulling the Bulgarian's shirt as he tried to race clear down the left.

55 mins: They were subdued in the first half, but the Reebok crowd have really found their voice. Spurs just can't get out of their own half at the moment.

59 mins: Only a last-ditch intervention from Sandro prevents Davies heading in a Petrov corner, before Chris Eagles is just inches from giving the home side the lead with a shot from the edge of the area. Spurs need to get hold of the ball.

60 mins: GOAL. Unbelievable stuff. Spurs retake the lead despite the siege Friedel's goal has been under in the last 15 minutes. Bale is too quick for Boyata down the left, and his low cross is directed straight into the path of Van der Vaart, who elegantly strokes the ball past Bogdan and into the far corner for his 11th Premier League goal of the season.

62 mins: GOAL. After Bolton had made all the running at the start of the half, Spurs score twice in 2 minutes - and this one comes from a fine break. Modric's sublime pass frees Lennon, who, despite being through on goal, unselfishly squares the ball for Adebayor to tap home. Spurs are marching towards the Champions League!

63 mins: This game has really come alive in the second half. Ngog does well to spin Kaboul, but his shot is straight at Friedel, who saves comfortably.

64 mins: Bolton are all over the place defensively. Danny Rose bursts down the left but his cross just evades a sliding Adebayor as Spurs look to put the game to bed.

65 mins: SUBSTITUTION: Double sub for the home side as Ivan Klasnic and Joshua Vela replace Reo-Coker and Ngog.

66 mins: And the substituton nearly pays dividends for Owen Coyle. Both subs are involved in a move which ends with the lively Eagles screwing his shot wide.

69 mins: GOAL. Game, set and match. Excellent work from Bale sees him progress from the halfway line before a fine through ball puts Adebayor in on goal. The Togolese striker makes no mistake, rounding Bogdan with ease before slotting home.

70 mins: Bolton frustrations are starting to show and sub Vela is booked for a lunge on Lennon.

73 mins: You have to wonder what sort of ramifications this result will have for the home side. This was their game in hand - the chance to pull away from the bottom three. Barring a miracle, they will still occupy a relegation spot at the end of the game. And their goal difference has been considerably worsened too. A night to forget so far for Coyle's team.

77 mins: Chris Eagles is next to be booked, for a late tackle on Sandro.

79 mins: SUBSTITUTION: Rafael Van der Vaart is subbed to a standing ovation from the traveling army. Jake Livermore is on in his place.

83 mins: SUBSTITUTION: Final change for Bolton who replace Eagles with Arsenal loanee Ryo Miyaichi.

85 mins: Bolton fans are streaming from the exits - and it's nearly five for Spurs. Bale, whose passing has been very impressive tonight, plays a pass through to Adebayor. His attempted lob beats Bogdan but goes just over the crossbar.

87 mins: SUBSTITUTION: Ryan Nelsen gets a run-out. William Gallas has taken a knock and is the man to make way.

89 mins: You have to feel for the Bolton fans that have stayed. Bar that 15-minute salvo at the start of the second half, they've been totally outplayed tonight. Bale again escapes the clutches of his marker, before unleashing a goal-bound effort that is deflected wide.

90 mins: Four minutes of time to be added. The Tottenham fans behind Adam Bogdan's goal are in fine voice as they celebrate what will be Spurs' first league win at the Reebok.

93 mins: It's all Bale again. He's really tormented Bolton's backline today, and his low cross is deflected towards the goal by Ricketts - Bogdan makes a good acrobatic save to keep it out.

94 mins: FINAL WHISTLE - Bolton 1-4 Tottenham.

That's it! In the end it turned out to be a fairly simple win for Spurs. Bale, Van der Vaart, Lennon and Adebayor were all very good tonight, but Sky's man of the match is Luka Modric - whose fantastic goal set the wheels in motion for a win that takes Spurs to just one point off Arsenal in third place.

For the home side, it's been a torrid evening. They stay in 18th, behind 17th placed Queens Park Rangers because of their inferior goal difference.

Brighton 2-2 Watford

Watford were left wondering what might have been, after Brighton and Hove Albion’s second-half comeback ensured the points were shared at the Amex Stadium. The Hornets had raced into a two-goal lead at half-time, courtesy to Sean Murray’s fine 25-yard free-kick, and a Troy Deeney penalty. 18-year-old Murray, whose blossoming form has earned him the Football League’s Young Player of the Month award for March, gave Watford the lead just six minutes in.

His superb curling free-kick from 25 yards gave David Gonzalez in the Brighton goal no chance.

Ex-Hornets winger Will Buckley had made a lively start, and was close to pulling the home side level when his header from Marcus Painter’s cross rebounded back off the post and into the arms of Thomas Kuszczak.

But despite Buckley’s efforts, Watford doubled their lead just before the break.

Following good interplay between Deeney, Prince Buaben and Jonathan Hogg, the latter was clumsily fouled in the area by Ashley Barnes, leaving referee Scott Mathieson no option but to point to the spot.

Deeney confidently stepped up and sent Gonzalez the wrong way to notch his 9th league goal of the season.

Brighton’s fans made their feelings clear at half-time, booing the home team off the pitch.

The hosts, however, started the second half brightly, and after a lively start pulled themselves back into the game.

Spanish right-back Inigo Calderon advanced down the right, before firing a shot that Kuszczak did well to parry.

Unfortunately for the Hornets’ stopper, the ball rebounded back to Calderon, who this time made no mistake as his shot thudded into the ground before nestling in the back of the net.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, the home side got their equaliser.

Substitute Vicente, whose introduction had lifted the crowd, crossed low and found Buckley in space.

Buckley, who joined Brighton in the summer for a fee of around £1million, converted the chance with ease – giving Kuszczak no chance.

In an entertaining finale, both teams had chances to win the game.

First, after more good work by Hogg, Deeney curled his effort just wide of Gonzalez’s goal.

Then, in the fifth minute of stoppage-time, Vicente again found space before smashing in a cross-shot that just eluded onrushing striker Craig Mackail-Smith as both sides were forced to settle for a point.

Teacher strikes could cause more havoc at Harrow schools

Teacher strikes could cause more havoc at Harrow schools

A TEACHING union rep has admitted that proposed strikes will cause further chaos at Harrow schools – but insists they are necessary.

The NUT (National Union of Teachers) and NASUWT (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers) voted in favour of further industrial action earlier this month, in protest against governmental changes to pay and pension.

Unions believe the changes, which include the retirement age rising from 65 to 68, will lead to teachers working longer and for less, and pension contributions could rise by up to 50 per cent.

Strike action is expected to continue this term, with further action being planned for the autumn term.

More than 30 schools across the borough closed during public sector strikes at the end of November last year, while the most recent strike in March forced a fifth of London state schools to close, and affected a total of 60 per cent of the capital's state schools in total.

Greg Parker, NUT union rep at Park High School in Thistlecroft Gardens, was quick to condemn the impact the coalition government has made since coming to power in 2010: "I’ve been a teacher for 12 years and when Labour were in power, they invested a lot of money into building schools for the future. Nothing was under threat and as a result the culture around schools was positive. People felt good about being teachers – that’s not the same now.”

Indeed, a YouGov poll commissioned by the NUT showed that 42 per cent of teachers suffered from low morale, while 59 per cent claimed their morale had decreased in the last two years.

Mr Parker is also adamant that the government’s planned changes to education sector pensions and pay must be prevented, despite the mounting debt crisis the UK is currently facing.

"Cuts to teachers’ pay and pensions are short-sighted even given the financial crisis in the UK. Financial mismanagement by the government and banking sector is responsible and they should pay. The teaching profession is being damaged and this is damaging the whole country in the process. Happy teachers are essential when it comes to providing quality education," he said.

NUT calculations claim that by April 2014, some London-based teachers will see a reduction of up to £123 in their monthly pay.

Both Mr Parker and Labour MP for Harrow West, Gareth Thomas, expect the reduction in pay to have a knock-on effect with regard to potential teachers wanting to enter the profession.

"I worry that the changes could lead to people who have perhaps thought about being a teacher in the past being detracted from joining the profession," Mr Thomas said.

Meanwhile, Mr Parker claimed: "I know from the Institute of Education that they are having difficulty recruiting for teacher training courses. Some people are leaving the profession, and some people who were perhaps keen to become a teacher in the past no longer feel the same."

For some though, sympathy for the teaching profession can only stretch so far. Simon Murray, a parent of two children currently in full-time education at schools in Harrow, believes the teaching profession is no worse off than many others.

"Teachers aren't the only ones having problems with pensions at the moment. There are plenty of people in the private sector who are struggling too. I really think that teachers are asking for too much at a time where everyone needs to pull together."

Speaking after the last wave of strikes in March, Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "Strikes benefit no one. This deal is as good as it gets and takes the right balance – guaranteeing teachers one of the best pensions available but keeping a lid on rising costs for the taxpayer. This strike, ordered by the NUT's leaders, will not get its members any further forward."

And Mr Murray seems to agree that with the government refusing to back down over the reforms, taking strike action will have little or no point at all.

"The government's mind on the issue seems to be made up to me, so I don't understand why teachers are considering further strikes. All it's going to do is cut down valuable learning time for children and inconvenience parents.

"Finances are tight for families everywhere at the moment. Parents can't simply afford to take more time off work or pay for a childminder," he added.

Mr Parker, however, claims that, while striking is a last resort, "all other measures have been exhausted", leaving teachers with no option but to stage further mass walkouts.

"I understand that strikes have a huge impact on children as well as parents.

"The NUT are taking a stand on this issue because there’s other issues looming on the horizon including changes to teachers’ paying conditions. It isn't the teaching unions that have got us into this situation - it's unreasonable changes from the government," he said.

With strikes scheduled for June, some parents have expressed their fear that the situation could escalate and unions could call on members to boycott exams.

Mr Murray commented: "What worries me the most is that exams will be affected. My daughter is sitting her GCSEs this summer, and my son is taking his A levels. My fear is that their future education could be jeopardised."

However, Ray Crocker, a recently retired Harrow headteacher, is confident that industrial action will stop short of exam boycotts.

"The last thing that teachers and unions want to do is harm children's education. The issue the unions have is with the government, and not the students. The unions have emphasised that any industrial action will not coincide with exams."

Though not prepared to condone further strike action as an appropriate measure to resolve the dispute, Mr Thomas made it clear that the pension reform issue posed a difficult problem: "There’s an increasing pensions time bomb which needs to be looked at and we need to think about how we can afford them. We need an honest and open conversation about the pension system."

Allianz Arena: UEFA Champions League Round of 16 – Bayern Munich 7-0 FC Basel

A master class in finishing from Mario Gomez proved crucial in Bayern Munich’s emphatic march to the quarter finals.

The striker, who became just the eighth man in the tournament’s history to score four times in one game, displayed just how he has scored 33 goals this season at an average of a goal a game.

Bayern, who thrashed Hoffenheim 7-1 at the weekend, came into this game with a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Switzerland a fortnight ago.

The Swiss side’s advantage had been wiped out after just ten minutes, when ex-Chelsea winger Arjen Robben fired across visiting goalkeeper Yann Sommer after Thomas Mueller’s shot was deflected into his path.

Mueller was more fortunate after 42 minutes, volleying home from Robben’s cross.

The host’s first-half dominance was highlighted on the stroke of half-time, when Gomez tapped in Holger Badstuber’s pull-back.

Basle looked a shadow of the team that had knocked Manchester United out of this season’s tournament and the tie itself was killed off just after half time, when Franck Ribery crossed from the left for Gomez to acrobatically volley past Sommer, and the pair combined again in the 61st minute for Gomez to complete his 11th hat-trick in 18 months with a simple header.

Ribery completed his hat-trick of assists midway through the second half when he again ran riot down the left before pulling the ball back for Gomez to fire a left-footed shot into the top corner.

Robben completed the rout when he tapped in after sub Bastian Schweinsteiger’s fine through ball.

UEFA Champions League round of 16 – first leg

UEFA Champions League round of 16 – first leg

Bayer 04 Leverkusen 1-3 Barcelona

Barcelona were given a scare by brave Bayer Leverkusen, but World Player of the Year Lionel Messi proved to be too good as the holders took a two-goal advantage into next month’s return leg at the Nou Camp.

Leverkusen had defended stoutly throughout the first half, but fell behind to Barcelona’s first real chance.

Sanchez slotted the ball under Bernd Leno after Messi’s exquisite through-ball, delivered with the outside of his left foot, had put the Chilean through on goal after 41 minutes.

Leverkusen, ravaged by injuries, including one to ex-Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack, had defended well despite lacking a forward threat during the first half, but came out with a renewed vigour after the break. Their fresh, attacking outlook brought its reward in the 51st minute when Vedran Corluka’s back-post cross was headed in by left-back Michal Kadlec.

Leverkusen were not level for long though, as the holders retook the lead just four minutes later, when Sanchez added his second. Cesc Fabregas’ defence-splitting through-ball again put the ex-Udinese winger one-on-one with Leno, and again Sanchez converted, rounding the goalkeeper before squeezing the ball in from a tight angle.

Messi, despite being shackled by a swarm of Leverkusen defenders whenever he got near the ball, was starting to run the show, and after waltzing past two defenders, saw his superb chip rebound off the goalkeeper's near post.

The Argentine was not to be denied though, and added a third after a Daniel Alves cross found him arriving at the back post to register his 28th Champions League goal in his last 29 outings.

Anger over proposed health reforms

Anger over proposed health reforms

NHS REFORMS could have a detrimental effect on Harrow residents, local figures have warned.

The Health and Social Care Bill, drawn up primarily by Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley, aims to cut £20 billion from the NHS bill by 2015 in a bid to cut the national deficit.

The bill, which represents one of the coalition Government’s most contentious changes since they took power, was not discussed in the run up to the 2010 General Election. It was also not mentioned in the coalition agreement between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats that followed.

Lansley, along with Prime Minister David Cameron, has been quick to state that the reforms will not affect frontline services such as primary care or patient services.

However, Labour MP for Harrow West, Gareth Thomas, believes local residents are not happy with the effect the reforms have had on the area so far.

"There’s a fair amount of scepticism. People have seen what’s happened to the polyclinic and the accident and emergency department. Both those measures only happened after the announcement of the NHS bill. There’s a considerable degree of worry about what’s happening", he said.

His comments come after Alexandra Avenue Polyclinic in Rayners Lane was made a weekend only service in September 2011, just two years after it was opened. It was also announced in November of last year that Central Middlesex hospital would close its accident and emergency department in the evenings.

Organisations including the Royal College of Nursing, the British Medical Association and the Royal College of General Practitioners have stated they oppose the Government's plans to reform the health service.

The reforms, which, if successful, are to be introduced in 2013, will see Primary Care Trusts abolished and replaced with clinical commissioning groups, responsible for the distribution of £60-80 billion of NHS budget. The commissioning groups will be run partly by GPs - with the Government claiming GPs will have more power over the dispensation of funds as a result.

The Prime Minister has claimed that some 140 GP groups have come forward and welcomed the establishment of the commissioning groups.

However, a local GP who asked to remain anonymous, is not convinced that local patients and doctors will benefit if the clinical commissioning groups are established. He cited risks in giving GPs more power over the supervision of how the health service is run, due to many "lacking the business acumen needed".

The GP went on to declare that patients could suffer from practitioners being part of the commissioning groups.

"Time that could be spent with patients will now be spent establishing shortfalls in treatments of disorders. GPs won't work longer hours so face-to-face contact with patients will shorten", he said.

Conservative Councillor and former nurse Lurline Champagnie believes change is crucial if the NHS is to develop.

Champagnie, also Chairman of the Harrow West Conservative Association said: "The health service really needs to make changes in order to become effective. Illnesses and technology develop, and we’re seeing more problems with the NHS as it hasn’t moved forward with time and can’t combat illnesses properly.”

While Prime Minister David Cameron has declared any reforms will not lead to privatisation of the health service, stating that it will remain free at the point of entry, Councillor Champagnie is of the opinion privatisation could be imminent.

"They say the NHS is still free at the point of delivery, but it cannot work like that anymore, because you will not have the money to keep up with the pace of change. You will have to pay for some things, and some things will have to be privatised", she said.

Councillor Champagnie is not alone in her belief the Health and Social Care Bill may lead to privatisation.

The GP, who asked not to be named, claimed the changes "could potentially lead to a high risk of privatisation", adding "if the health service becomes more business orientated, and that's what the reforms point to, more private businesses will be attracted. The private sector will always be able to undercut the NHS."

Gareth Thomas has also expressed worry a two-tier health service could be developed.

"My big fear is that those who can pay, will be more likely to get better healthcare than those who can't. I don’t understand their motivation, because I think what they are going to do will lead to a worse health service for the majority."

Not everybody though, seems to be worried by the threat of privatisation to the health service. Ray Crocker, a Harrow resident and retired teacher said: "They have to provide us with a good quality service, and sometimes changes have to be made. So I don't get too uptight about the changes or buy in to scare tactics - it doesn't bother me as long as I get what I need."

Mr Crocker went on to add: "This country has always prided itself on having a good National Health Service. I think having good healthcare is one of the most important things in society. When you see the progress that's been made in general public health since it's existed it's something to be proud of and people must realise that it is going to cost money."