Home Office Minister Chris Philp has defended the Conservative government’s record on the NHS, following former Conservative MP Dr Dan Poulter’s recent defection to the Labour Party. During an interview with the BBC, Dr Poulter stated that he could not remain within the Conservative Party and “look his NHS colleagues and patients in the eye” as the health service had become “unrecognisable” from its state in 2010. Dr Poulter, who works as a part-time psychiatry consultant and who has previously served as a health minister, argued that the Labour Party had a more positive track record on the NHS and could be “trusted” with it.
Philp rejected Dr Poulter’s claims, pointing out that the spending on the NHS under the Conservatives now stands at £165bn annually, the highest level in history. He claimed that this demonstrated the party’s commitment to the health service. Moreover, Philp asserted that waiting lists for treatment were falling despite the pandemic’s disruption to services and a series of strikes by NHS workers.
Dr Poulter’s defection marks the third time that a Conservative MP has joined Labour since the 2019 general election. Liberal Democrat health spokeswoman Daisy Cooper, meanwhile, has called the move “another blow to Rishi Sunak’s authority”. Reports have suggested that the government may be preparing to call an early general election, whilst Conservative poll ratings lag behind those of Labour.
Dr Poulter stated that he would immediately become a Labour MP, but would not stand for re-election when Parliament next dissolves. An election must take place before the end of January 2025, with speculation that it may happen later this year, possibly in the autumn. During a interview with Sky News, also prior to Dr Poulter’s defection, Chancellor Rishi Sunak did not rule out a July general election
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