Caroline Lucas, in her speech to Green Party spring conference today, emphasised her party's support for public services.
Lucas said what was most shocking of all from 12 years of Labour government was the state of the NHS:
"Here in North London, where we're meeting, Labour is seeking to close one, two or even three accident and emergency wards. And to move core services into polyclinics, which are then being tendered to the private sector. Privatisation means the prospect of the end of the NHS as a universal healthcare service, provided by public servants.
"Who is left in politics who believes that doctors and nurses, health professionals and cleaners, managers and administrators, actually work best when motivated - not by bonuses or share options - but by the sense of doing what they went into medicine to do, or the satisfaction of seeing patients benefiting from their care?
"Who still believes in public service? We do.
"Greens believe it's wrong that hospitals and health centres are treated like businesses, rather than vital public services. We want to see an end to money being wasted on botched PFI and privatisation schemes. We will oppose cuts and closures in the NHS, and protect the jobs of public sector workers.
"And that is why it is the Greens who are at the forefront of the campaign to save hospitals like these."
For a transcript of the entire speech, please click here.