Tony Blair has a rhetorical reflex of counter-attacking the Tories by pointing to the living hell that existed in Britain only a decade ago pre-1997, compared to the heaven on earth we have now. Caroline Flint, the Minister for Fitness has exceeded him by pointing out how much better life is now than it was under the Tories only a century and a half ago:

I am sure hon. Members in all parts of the House will agree that today’s challenges are very different from those of 100 years ago. In the 19th century and early 20th century, most premature deaths were due to infectious illnesses, often striking people down in infancy or in the prime of life. In 1854, 600 people died from cholera caught from the infected water of the Broad street pump in London. But times change and the challenges are different today. We are living longer, so the diseases of middle life and old age are more pertinent now than they were 100 years ago.

Thanks to the investment by this Government, we have made changes that are improving public health. Life expectancy has continued to increase both for males and for females in England as a whole, and for those living in communities with the worst health and deprivation.

In 1854, 600 people died from cholera caught from the infected water of the Broad street pump in London.

Under New Labour’s benign rule today:

So remember, if you vote Tory they’ll force your kids up a chimney, vote Labour and they’ll force your kids into a Sure-Start creche, because nowadays both over-taxed parents have to go out to work to make ends meet. Progress!