Speaking today at the Liberal Democrats conference in Brighton, Davey said the Conservatives had broken the NHS and were ‘unfit for opposition'.

Th Lib Dems leader added: ‘Expecting that lot to hold the Government to account on the NHS or the economy would be like putting a bull in charge of repairing the china shop.'

Speaking yesterday, deputy leader and spokesperson for health, Daisy Cooper said the Conservatives had brought the NHS ‘to its knees'.

Cooper said the NHS was a ‘liberal idea, driven forward by Labour'.

She said the Lib Dems would hold the Government's ‘feet to the fire' if they did not see the ‘right level of ambition or urgency'.

The deputy leader called on chancellor Rachel Reeves to save health and social care in next month's Autumn Budget.