Lib Dems vow every cancer patient will start treatment within two months of a referral but dodge questions on the EU

• Brexit row within the party continues to dominate as some pro-Brussels heckled

The Liberal Democrats vowed yesterday that every cancer patient will start treatment within two months of a referral.

Ed Davey, who lost his parents to the disease as a child, said ‘rescuing’ the NHS was his party’s top priority ahead of next year’s election.

In his closing party conference speech, which avoided the topic of whether the Lib Dems were still committed to rejoining the EU, Sir Ed claimed ‘voting Conservative is bad for your health’.

The party leader pledged to enshrine a legal right for cancer patients to start their treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral as part of a five-year plan to boost survival rates. Just over six in ten patients meet that NHS target.

‘Far too many people are still waiting far too long for a diagnosis or to start treatment after being diagnosed,’ he told delegates.

In his closing party conference speech, which avoided the topic of whether the Lib Dems were still committed to rejoining the EU, Sir Ed (pictured) claimed ‘voting Conservative is bad for your health’

Sir Ed Davey walks to the Liberal Democrats conference with MP’s and parliamentary candidates at Bournemouth International Centre on Tuesday

‘Last year, the Government promised a new Ten-Year Cancer Plan. This year – after two changes of prime minister and three changes of health secretary – that plan has been junked. Yet another casualty of all the Conservative chaos.

‘For Liberal Democrat MPs, it [cancer] will be a top priority.

READ MORE: Like an ageing ham, it took a while to realise how badly off Ed Davey’s speech was, writes QUENTIN LETTS

‘Of course, it’s not just cancer where the Government is letting patients down. It’s pretty much everything. The Conservatives have broken promise after promise on the NHS.

‘Perhaps there should be a warning on the ballot paper, like there is on cigarette packets: Voting Conservative is bad for your health.

‘So it falls to us to rescue the NHS, and make sure everyone can get the care they need, when they need it.’

During their conference in Bournemouth the Lib Dems unveiled plans to treble the tax on social media giants and dropped a long-standing pledge to add a penny on income tax, with the latter seen as a move to woo voters in the Tory heartlands.

The party was also forced to recommit to building 380,000 homes a year after a revolt from its youth wing.

But the Brexit row within the party has continued to dominate, with pro-Brussels activists heckling Sir Ed for not clearly laying out the party’s desire to rejoin the EU. In one media interview, he refused seven times to say if his party would reverse Brexit.

Today he avoided the issue once again, despite accusing the Tories of a ‘botched deal’ with Europe.

Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey (pictured) pledged to enshrine a legal right for cancer patients to start their treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral

Sir Ed also criticised Labour’s lack of ambition in reforging ties with Brussels, but was light on detail when it came to his party’s plans.

He said: ‘Only we have set out a plan to tear down those trade barriers, fix our broken relationship with Europe and get a better deal for Britain… Labour’s plan – if you can call it a plan – is nowhere near that ambitious.’

It is understood the cancer plan would involve patients reporting complaints to the health ombudsman, starting a process which could ultimately end with the Government facing legal action.

Tory party chairman Greg Hands said last night: ‘Ed Davey’s speech did little to address the priorities of the British people.’

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