Dan Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, has defected from the Conservative Party to the Labour Party. Poulter cited the Conservative Party’s perceived lack of care for public services, such as the National Health Service (NHS), as his reason for leaving. While Poulter will remain an MP until the next general election, he will stand down after that. This move comes as a surprise to Poulter’s colleagues, and some party members expressed disappointment and shock at his decision.
Despite his announcement, Conservative Party members in Suffolk and other MPs were surprised by Poulter’s move. Tom Hunt, Conservative MP for Ipswich, stated that Poulter’s past critical comments of the Labour Party made the news of his defection surprising. Meanwhile, Thérèse Coffey, MP for Suffolk Coastal, expressed surprise that Poulter would join the Labour Party when NHS funding is at a record high.
Labour, which hopes to perform well in Suffolk, sees Poulter’s defection as a significant moment. In a county that has long been dominated by the Conservatives, Poulter’s move may be a chance for Labour to gain a foothold. Yet, with a majority of over 23,000, the Conservative Party hopes to regain Poulter’s seat.
Despite Poulter’s decision, some local councillors have criticized him for not being visible as an MP in the past. Ian Fisher, leader of the Ipswich Borough Council Conservative Party group, criticized Poulter for not informing his hard-working activists before the announcement. Nadia Cenci, a Suffolk county councillor, felt that Poulter’s defection was not surprising, stating, “Goodbye and forgotten already.”
Poulter told the media that he is finding it difficult to look patients and constituents in the eye, and the NHS deserves better. Labour sees Poulter’s move as evidence that they have the answers the country needs. Monday, Poulter is expected to “cross the floor” to sit with the Labour Party in the House of Commons, becoming the first Labour MP for his constituency
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