Local Conservative association calls Dan Poulter's defection 'disappointing'
Dan Poulter claims the Conservatives have mismanaged the health service
Last updated 30th Apr 2024
The chairman of the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Conservative Association's told Greatest Hits Radio he's very "disappointed" with local MP Dan Poulter's decision to leave the Conservative Party and join Labour.
In a statement, Colin Hedgley said: "The Association is very disappointed with the decision Dr Poulter has taken.
"We will be convening a meeting of the Executive Councll in the near future to reflect upon Dr Poulter's decision to defect to Labour and discuss and agree a way forward.
"This will include the procedure for the selection of a candidate to fight the seat at the next General Election, a process in which all members of the Association will have the opportunity to be involved.
"For the people of Central Suffolk and North Ipswich this will also be disappointing news. What Dan says is wrong as Sir Keir Starmer has no plan for our NHS.
"Under the Conservatives we are raising NHS funding to a record £165 billion a year, helping it recover from the effects of the pandemic and driving forward its first ever long term workforce plan so that we train the doctors and nurses we need for the future in our country.
“Thanks to our plan, we have already virtually eliminated the longest waits and overall waiting lists have fallen by 200,000 in the last five months - and we will go further to make sure everyone gets the world-class care they need.
"This stands in stark contrast to the Welsh NHS - run into the ground by the Welsh Labour Government over the last 25 years which has waiting lists and waiting times way beyond what is being delivered in England.”
Why did Dan Poulter defect?
Suffolk MP Dan Poulter has defended his decision to defect to the Labour Party as the "right thing to do."
Dr Poulter - who represents Central Suffolk and North Ipswich - announced he was leaving the Conservatives on Saturday, saying his former party were "failing" the NHS.
Speaking on Monday, Dr Poulter - who continues to work part-time in the health service, said it was not providing "the right level of service for his patients."
"In all good conscience, it has become increasingly difficult for me to look my patients, my medical colleague, my constituents in the eye, as a Conservative MP, because of that mismanagement of the health service."
Dr Poulter also believed the NHS was "not the same as it was 10, or 15 years ago," and believed Labour would do a better job running it.
Poulter welcomed into Labour
Dr Poulter's defection was welcomed by Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer, who said it reflected him backing their "mission for health."
Sir Keir also hoped other Conservative voters would follow in voting for Labour at the next general election.
"He Dr Poulter probably speaks for many Tory voters who equally feel like their party has drifted away from what it once was."
But the Prime Minister told Greatest Hits Radio that Dr Poulter was wrong to defect, and that the Conservatives' record on the NHS was "one of investment."
Rishi Sunak also pointed to waiting lists and new guidance on pharmacies as evidence the government's plans for the health service was working.
"After a difficult few years due to the pandemic, the NHS is very much on the road to recovery."