Romney remark makes waves across the ocean

By Brian C. Mooney, Globe Staff

LONDON -- Mitt Romney made front-page news today -- across the pond in Britain.

"US hopeful hits at 'second-tier Britain' " said the headline on page one of The Daily Telegraph.

"In a fierce attack on Europe, the former Massachusetts governor singled out Britain's parlous health system for special mention," said the full report on page 15 in the world news section with a dateline from Nashua, N.H., described as an "elegant New England town."

Romney, like other Republicans running for president, has attacked Democrat Hillary Clinton's plan as thinly-veiled European socialized medicine. The government-run National Health Services provides care in Britain.

Romney made the remarks to employees of BAE Systems Inc., the US subsidiary of the British defense contractor, the Telegraph noted.

The print version also directs readers to the newspaper's website where they can offer an opinion as to whether Britain is "a second-tier nation."