THIS IS THE STORY OF THE ENGLISH HEALTH SERVICE

If we choose dependence in September our NHS will continue to be, as it has always been, completely independent of and separate from the other systems in the UK. 

However, what happens in the not too distant future may be a little different.

The most likely scenario is that the Conservatives will return to power, possibly in coalition with the few Liberals that remain, possibly with Nigel Farage, and a new leader, (Theresa May or Boris Johnson?); privatisation will continue apace and of course a smaller proportion of money will be spent on NHS England, meaning that a smaller amount will be given to the governments of the Celtic countries to pay for their NHS.

In the event of a Labour government in England controlling the NHS, the Health spokesman, Andy Burnham, has already said that it would be best of health services were uniform across the UK countries. 

Now seriously, given that as a policy, does anyone think that the entire NHS England will be able to, or have a will to, get out of contracts with Virgin and all these American and South African companies who are now buying up the English system? Or would you think it more likely that the small Celtic countries' systems will be obliged to come into line with England's system?

The Scottish government would resist this at all costs, you may say. And that would be true if that Scottish government were guaranteed forever to be run by a centre left party with a belief in universality. But the SNP cannot realistically be in government forever. And certainly not as a majority government in a system which was designed to produce coalitions. 

No other party believe in universality.

A Labour government in Scotland would hardly be likely to refuse to do the bidding of the Labour government in England. Even with a reasonably strong Liberal partner they tended to fold their tents to Tony Blair... With no noticeable Liberal party left in Scotland, what would happen?

Do we want a privatised health service? Do we want homeless people to be excluded from the service? Do we want people with chronic conditions to be marginalised? Do we want the elderly to be left to die without treatment?

We need to think seriously about what the future holds. The vote in September is more than idiotic arguments about barbed wire fences across borders or petty officials making life difficult in the EU or Nato. 

It's also about whether you end your life with an NHS looking after you, or left to die in misery because you can't afford the drugs or the care you need...and have paid for all your life.