What is it with neoliberal/neoconservative politicians? In their view of human nature and public ownership, privatization would magically improve everything. To them, evidence-based decision making is not necessary; they have an ideologically blind belief in the transformative power of markets.

When David Cameron flew out to Asia last week, he did so on a Boeing 474 owned by Sonangol, the Angolan state oil company. Anyone minded to spot a narrative in these things might have called it a sign of the times; an embattled Prime Minister traveling East - on a plane owned by 'sub-Saharan Africa's first sovereign wealth fund' - to tempt Asian governments flush with foreign exchange to invest some of it in Britain's creaking infrastructure.

There are many reasons why the police should not be privatised, not least that an independent, publicly funded police force, free from the profit motive and accountable to the public it serves, is a fundamental plank of a civilised society. Lets not subjugate this dignified ideal to the misguided notion that the private sector would do a better job.

If you ask any patient about their opinion on a doctor, the first thing they would mention is how much and how well the doctor explained what was going on. In a country where we have some of the best medical care in the world, the provision of clear information my be the competitive playing field; and as long as doctors don't abuse this, patients can only benefit.