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12 March 2011
Last updated at 09:22 ET
By Brian Wheeler
Political reporter, BBC News, in Sheffield
Plans for a massive reorganisation of the NHS in England have been rejected as "damaging and unjustified" by Liberal Democrats in a vote at the party's spring conference in Sheffield.
Health minister Paul Burstow said he would "quit the government" if it led to an "American-style" health system.
Delegates voted overwhelmingly to reject the "market-based" approach.
The vote will increase pressure on Mr Burstow and deputy PM Nick Clegg to push for changes to the Health Bill.
Former Lib Dem MP Evan Harris, who tabled the amendment, said: "We want to send a message to Nick and his team that we want to see this bill changed radically.
"We want to see policy change - and we do not want to be associated with the retoxification of the Tory brand."
Baroness Williams, former Lib Dem leader in the Lords, was among senior party figures supporting the amendment, saying it was unneccesary.
The Health Bill will hand control of 80% of NHS budgets in England for commissioning services to GPs and introduce more private competition into the provision of care.
Response Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
Lady Williams said she did not want to damage Mr Clegg or the coalition. But she insisted that the deputy prime minister was allowing the health service to be put at risk.
She described the plan as a "massive reorganisation... which will fall within a period when many of our fellow citizens are worried about whether they will keep their jobs and how they will pay for petrol and food."
She claimed private companies would be looking to "cherry pick" profitable services rather than treat patients in the most need.
After the vote Mr Burstow said he would be "taking those concerns back to government."
"The party has shown its mettle by setting out areas for improvement in the Bill."
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Health minister Paul Burstow said he would "quit the government" if it led to an "American-style" health system.
Delegates voted overwhelmingly to reject the "market-based" approach.
The vote will increase pressure on Mr Burstow and deputy PM Nick Clegg to push for changes to the Health Bill.
Former Lib Dem MP Evan Harris, who tabled the amendment, said: "We want to send a message to Nick and his team that we want to see this bill changed radically.
"We want to see policy change - and we do not want to be associated with the retoxification of the Tory brand."
Baroness Williams, former Lib Dem leader in the Lords, was among senior party figures supporting the amendment, saying it was unneccesary.
The Health Bill will hand control of 80% of NHS budgets in England for commissioning services to GPs and introduce more private competition into the provision of care.
Response Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
The party has shown its mettle by setting out areas for improvement in the Bill”
End Quote
Paul Burstow MP
Health Minister
Lady Williams said she did not want to damage Mr Clegg or the coalition. But she insisted that the deputy prime minister was allowing the health service to be put at risk.
She described the plan as a "massive reorganisation... which will fall within a period when many of our fellow citizens are worried about whether they will keep their jobs and how they will pay for petrol and food."
She claimed private companies would be looking to "cherry pick" profitable services rather than treat patients in the most need.
After the vote Mr Burstow said he would be "taking those concerns back to government."
"The party has shown its mettle by setting out areas for improvement in the Bill."
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