Labour have welcomed former Conservative MP, Daniel Poulter, who has defected to the party over concerns relating to the NHS. Poulter, who is a former health minister and Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP, spoke to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg in an exclusive interview. He admitted that the NHS “deserves better” under the current Conservative administration, and explained that he struggled “to look my NHS colleagues in the eye, my patients in the eye, and my constituents in the eye with good conscience”.
He added that he had not discussed his decision to switch parties with the Labour leadership, citing concerns over their policies towards Brexit. However, he welcomed their approach to healthcare, and believes he can “make more of a difference from within the Labour Party than without”. Poulter was first elected in 2010 and served several years as health minister during the coalition.
Poulter’s defection has been seized upon by Labour, who hope that it will show that their approach to the NHS is resonating with healthcare professionals. The party has been vocal in its criticism of the government’s handling of the NHS, particularly in relation to funding and staff shortages. Recent polls suggest that the public is concerned about the state of the health service, with many worried that it will not be able to cope in the coming years. Labour, for its part, has pledged to increase spending in the NHS and bring about a more integrated approach to healthcare.
The Conservative Party has dismissed Poulter’s decision, with a spokesperson arguing that “Labour has always been hopeless when it comes to managing the NHS”. They added that under the current government, there were a record number of doctors and nurses working in the NHS, and that funding was higher than ever before. However, critics argue that funding has not kept up with demand, and that staff are facing increased pressures and a lack of resources
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More