Bevan’s fiercest battle was with the British Medical Association, which opposed the NHS fearing loss of autonomy and income. He famously won over reluctant doctors by allowing them to retain private practices and offering generous concessions, what he called “stuffing their mouths with gold”. Despite fierce resistance and political attacks, including his infamous retort that Tory opponents were “lower than vermin”, Bevan remained resolute. His tenacity, wit, and moral clarity pushed the NHS Bill through Parliament, culminating in its launch on 5 July 1948 at Trafford General Hospital. Bevan’s legacy endures not just in the institution he built, but in the principles he championed: that healthcare is a collective responsibility, grounded in compassion and justice.