WHAT a wonderful country we live in. Thank God for the NHS.

What’s the reason why I’m feeling so chipper?

It’s the result of a trip to an emergency vet for Archie, my prized Jack Russell. Archie, who I love to bits (indeed Mrs B suspects more than her), was taken very unwell necessitating his, and my, first emergency trip to a vet.

While the care was professional, right from the kick-off they wanted to know if we could pay. They gave me an estimate (a princely £1,600) before they would do anything.

Thankfully, Archie is insured (well I am an insurance broker by day). Had this been one of my kids in Bury A&E, cost would not have been mentioned.

I admit the NHS is not perfect, but give me this any day over a private system.

As we are on the subject, I suspect the Tories will be doing a U-turn any day now over their policy of turning GP’s into accountants and bean counters, especially as the GP’s have said they don’t want the gig.

In other news, thousands of innocent civilians have been slaughtered in the continuing unrest in the Ivory Coast.

Do we hear Prime Minister Cameron saying how outrageous it is? Has he announced plans to go to the United Nations to get a resolution to enforce another No Fly Zone? We haven't heard a peep.

Maybe it’s the cutbacks — we don’t have the aircraft or the carriers.

Meanwhile, the unctuous Baroness Warsi visited Rawtenstall recently, proclaiming that we should all vote against AV.

Is this the same Baroness Warsi who failed miserably to be elected as an MP in her home constituency and who had to be parachuted into the House Of Lords?

She is now minister without portfolio sitting in the cabinet making decisions on our future on a salary of £135,000.

Little wonder she is against improvements to the democratic process when the unelected Cronyism route works wonderfully for her.

I say vote YES to AV on May 5.

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