MANCHESTER – A 91-year-old man brought members of the audience at Labour's party conference to tears on Wednesday afternoon as he delivered a passionate speech about the NHS.
Harry Smith said the health system had radically changed in the UK and that his sister, Marion, died of tuberculosis because his parents could not afford the high costs associated with healthcare.
"My parents did everything in their power to keep Marion alive and comfortable but they just didn't have the dosh to get her to the best clinics, doctors, or medicines," Smith said. "Instead, she wasted away before our eyes until my mother could no longer handle her care and she was dispatched to our workhouse infirmary, where she died 87 years ago."
Smith said he was a Labour supporter because he believes the party would keep the NHS well-funded. "We must never ever let the NHS free from our grasp, because if we do your future will be my past," he said.
His speech was praised by members of the audience, those watching online, and MPs.
Harry Smith gets huge applause finishing: 'Mr Cameron get your mitts of my NHS' - bigger than anything Miliband got during his speech #Lab14
Harry Smith's contribution to #Lab14 is one of the most incredible things I've ever seen or heard.
Harry Smith's speech was absolutely amazing. At 91 he pleaded for us to value & protect the NHS & for Cameron to keep his mitts off our NHS!
Use of imagery, inversion, triclons, anecdotes, pathos, calls to arms: Harry Smith's address was a speech-writers' masterclass #lab14
Watch the full speech here:
