Life is full of ifs and maybes so it's as well to consider some facts.

Because of Labour's open-door immigration policy when it was last in power, the population has grown by more than five million – that's five more cities the size of Birmingham.

Because Labour did a crazy deal with doctors they got paid more for doing less, so out-of-hours and weekend issues require a trip to Accident & Emergency, putting massive pressure on hospital casualty units.

Can we blame Tory cuts for the crisis then, as Jeremy Corbyn and his cohorts regularly do?

Hardly.

When Labour left office in 2010 they spent about £100billion a year on the NHS.

Today, Theresa May's Government is spending £125billion – and rising.

The NHS is struggling to cope this winter because there are too many people demanding treatment as a major flu epidemic sweeps the country.

But don't expect the Left to let the facts get in the way of point-scoring. It's time for an honest, adult, non-partisan debate about the NHS's future.

People are dying while the politicos are lying.

Let’s give Barnier what for

Sometimes it can be such a joy to see someone get their comeuppance. That applies in spades where Michel Barnier is concerned.

The over-inflated EU negotiator, who is determined to punish Britain any way he can over Brexit, is going to get a well-deserved ear-bashing this week from three men who never mince their words.

First he'll be put straight by Nigel Farage. Then former business leaders Digby Jones and John Longworth will fly to Brussels to explain - hopefully in words of one syllable – why Britain will never be bullied by tinpot EU dictators such as Barnier.

It is said they will invoke the wartime spirit of Churchill. They might want to use Winston's V-sign, too.

For victory, of course.

Now that's the BA spirit

The demise of the reclining seat on BA's newest planes isn't the end of the world. Our advice to passengers is to have another large gin and tonic – you'll soon be feeling laid back.