A waiting game

Headline grabbing pledges followed by U-turns have already caused embarrassment. Now the bad news continues to roll in with statistics revealing an increase in patients waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment.

Mr Cameron is already on the back foot after economists questioned the reality of the funding increase when inflation is taken into account. His Health Bill reforms have been overhauled and the Royal College of Nursing now rejects claims it supported the policy.

As waiting times lengthen on his watch, Mr Cameron must be fearing his dream of transforming the NHS in his first term was too ambitious.

It bares all the hallmarks of the opportunistic and idealistic leadership of Tony Blair, but unlike the former Prime Minister, Mr Cameron’s administration stands on fragile foundations.

Only time will tell if they can take the weight of expectation.