The NHS could be destroyed by the coalition Government’s health policy – that’s the warning from Helston MP Andrew George.

Mr George, already labeled the ‘most rebellious’ Liberal Democrat MP, has told party members they could be remembered in history as the party who colluded to destroyed the public health system in the UK.

Writing for the Lib Dem Voice website, he said: “We were the architects of the NHS. We now look like going down in history as colluding with the architects of its demise.”

The West Cornwall MP, who has represented the area since 1997, said he fears a raft a new policy announcements by Prime Minister David Cameron are masking the real intentions of the Conservative-led coalition.

The changes to the NHS, which will open up the system to competition from private companies, have been heavily criticised already by Mr George.

Now, calling for his fellow party members to stand up against the plans, he said: “It’s occurred to me that perhaps all these initiatives are not produced to drown out the media’s temptation to reflect on and big-up the reign of Margaret Thatcher to Mr Cameron’s detriment, but really to divert attention away from the core of Government policy.

“Those who, in their DNA, oppose the welfare state will never waste a good economic crisis. But, you know, I think they’d prefer to divert attention elsewhere as they go about their deed.

“That’s why I believe we need to take care that we don’t appear to be colluding with the worst excesses of this socially divisive agenda.”