Poulter: Defecting to Labour over NHS the 'right thing to do'

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."

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