Health and Social Care Bill has apparently been carried. The government won with a majority of 65. Look at the ‘debate’ here – a sedate affair, with plenty of jolly laughing, a bit of sexism, and an aside about the wonders of complementary medicine thrown in.

A sixth year debating society would have done better. Meantime, the Department of Health have provided a wishy washy and faint response to the 38 degrees criticism of the health bill, and Martin Beckford in the DT is pointing out that fixed beliefs held by ministers that private markets will be better for the NHS continue, despite droves of evidence to the contrary. Even more worrying is the Prime Ministers’ assertion that health professionals are for his reforms, despite the fact that representative bodies have rejected the bill, and the consistent voices of many thousands of doctors and nurses protesting against it.

Gerry Robinson in Panorama last night started to unravel the horrific mess which is being created in the NHS, despite recent research showing that it is one of the most cost-effective health care systems in the western world.

What to do? The next stage is the House of Lords. These appointees have no constituents. It is therefore important that they know who cares about this and why. One idea is to adopt a peer. I quite like the idea. Rather than despair, I’m going to start writing some letters.