I ENJOYED David J Crawford's letter (June 9) exposing the shortcomings of the NHS caused by individuals who will never need to use that service because they, by wealth and/or social position, can bypass waiting lists.

However, as he castigates various political figures, he defends Shona Robinson for making "her ridiculously impossible promise" concerning bed-blocking.

He must surely recognise that making impossible promises is a core political strategy whether it be about immigration, oil revenues and many more issues. It is the fact that these political figures are not held to account for failing to make good their promises that is one of the biggest failures of our political system.

John B. Campbell,

30 Holehouse Road, Kilmarnock.