Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg yesterday, Badenoch said ‘there are many ways to deliver a free at the point of use service that does not require the Government to be involved in every aspect'.

When pressed on whether she thought the NHS should be free at the point of use, she said: ‘It might be that the public decide that. I can't say whether I might change my mind in the future. I am telling you what I think now.'

Badenoch is among four candidates for the Tory leadership along with James Cleverly, Tom Tuegendhat and Robert Jenrick. She is being strongly tipped to make the final two candidates who will be selected on October 9-10 with the winner being elected at the end of that month. 

A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: ‘The Liberal Democrats are wholeheartedly committed to healthcare at the point of use and ensuring that everyone receives the care they need when they need it.

‘Kemi Badenoch should be straight with the public and tell us if she truly believes in the fundamental principles underpinning the NHS.

‘What is clear, is that the Conservatives can never be trusted with the health service again and it is the Liberal Democrats who are providing the bold and ambitious solutions to get patients the care they deserve.'

The leadership candidate's comments follow a report from the IEA which called for the replacement of the NHS with a social health insurance model.

The IEA argued the UK is underperforming Western Europe countries on almost all parameters, with the second highest avoidable mortality rate, among the lowest cancer survival rates and longer waiting times.

IEA executive director Tom Clougherty: ‘There are many universal healthcare systems around the world that aren't completely free at the point of use.

‘Indeed, even within the NHS, most people pay something for prescriptions and dentistry.

‘As a rule, we should welcome more widespread co-payments, since they help fund services and increase personal responsibility.

‘It is also useful to remind people that healthcare is never really "free". Everything has to be paid for one way or another.

‘It is quite straightforward to ensure that the least well-off aren't hurt by this sort of reform.'

You can see the IEA report here.