Top Tory MP and former health minister defects to Labour as he blasts NHS 'chaos'

27 April 2024, 18:11 | Updated: 27 April 2024, 19:29

Top Tory MP defects to Labour and blasts NHS 'chaos' - as Sir Kier Starmer welcomes him to 'changed' party
Top Tory MP defects to Labour and blasts NHS 'chaos' - as Sir Kier Starmer welcomes him to 'changed' party. Picture: Alamy

By Danielle de Wolfe

Conservative MP and former health minister Dan Poulter has announced his defection to Labour.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The former health minister and Conservative MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich announced his decision on Saturday.

The MP said that his 20 night shifts over the past year had been a “truly life-changing” experience, witnessing an "overstretched" health service first-hand.

Mr Poulter also labelled the Conservatives a "nationalist party of the right".

The defection was confirmed by Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer and MP Wes Streeting.

Taking to X formerly Twitter, the Labour leader wrote: "It’s fantastic to welcome Dr Dan Poulter MP to today’s changed Labour Party.

"It’s time to end the Conservative chaos, turn the page, and get Britain’s future back. I’m really pleased that Dan has decided to join us on this journey."

Read more: Jacob Rees-Mogg hounded from university by far-left protesters as Labour and Conservatives slam 'intimidation'

Mr Poulter won his seat with a majority of 23,321 at the last election.

In an opinion column published on Saturday, the Tory MP wrote: "As an MP and psychiatrist, I see the burden that a service near breaking point takes on patients, their families and healthcare colleagues"

He explained that his experiences led to his defection, noting Labour was the only party he believed was now really committed to investing in improving the NHS.
He explained that his experiences led to his defection, noting Labour was the only party he believed was now really committed to investing in improving the NHS. Picture: Alamy

Mr Poulter, who works part-time as a mental health doctor in the NHS, made the announcement during an interview with The Guardian.

Mr Poulter said he would not seek re-election to the House of Commons at the next general election, adding that instead he envisaged a role 'advising Labour on mental health'.

Writing in the Observer, he explained that "working on the frontline of a health service under great strain left me at times, as an MP, struggling to look my NHS colleagues, my patients and my constituents in the eye."

"Throughout the small hours, my clinical colleagues and I cared for many patients suffering from serious psychosis who would routinely be waiting several days, rather than hours, in a windowless room in A&E for a mental health bed," Mr Poulter explained.

Read more: Rishi Sunak claims migrant influx to Northern Ireland is 'proof' government's Rwanda plan is working

He explained that his experiences led to his defection, noting Labour was the only party he believed was now really committed to investing in improving the NHS.

He said: “I could not go on as part of that. I have to be able to look my NHS colleagues in the eye, my patients in the eye and my constituents in the eye.

"And I know that the Conservative government has been failing on the thing I care about most, which is the NHS and its patients.”

Dr Poulter is the first defection by a Tory MP to Labour since Christian Wakeford in 2022.

It comes as Jacob Rees-Mogg has been filmed being chased off university by a group of far-left activists.

Sir Jacob, the former Cabinet minister, had given a talk to Cardiff University's Conservative association.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Fresh police appeal 30 years on from murder of schoolgirl who went to buy cornflakes but never returned home

Renewed hunt for murder suspect 30 years after schoolgirl went to buy cornflakes but failed to return home

Educating Manchester star headteacher once called a 'breath of fresh air' struck off following Ofsted investigation

Educating Manchester star headteacher once called a 'breath of fresh air' struck off following Ofsted investigation

Saleh Aslam died in a tragic accident at home while playing as Spider-Man

Boy, 5, dies in tragic accident while playing ‘Spider-Man’ game at home

Child serial killer Lucy Letby denied retrial over conviction for attempted murder of baby girl

Child serial killer Lucy Letby offered 'tips' to colleague on how to get away with murder, inquiry hears

Labour's Pat McFadden refuses to say if Trump has 'KKK or Nazi sympathies'

'Does Trump have KKK or Nazi sympathies?' Minister refuses three times to answer 'extremism' question

Live
Donald Trump to begin picking cabinet as Biden praises Kamala Harris' 'courage' and integrity'.

US election 2024 LIVE: Donald Trump to begin picking cabinet as Biden praises Kamala Harris' 'courage' and integrity'

Why did Trump win and why did Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters

Why did Trump win and Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters in the wake of US election results

Germany's government on the brink of collapse after sacking of key minister

Germany's government on the brink of collapse after sacking of key minister

Australian breaker Rachael Gunn, also known as Raygun, during the B-Girls Round Robin breaking competition at La Concorde Urban Park in Paris,Credit: Australian Associated Press/Alamy Live News

Raygun quits competitive breakdancing after 'kangaroo' dance mocked at Paris Olympics

Keir Starmer has offered his 'hearty congratulations' to Donald Trump - but is facing pressure to apologise over past comments made by David Lammy

Starmer offers 'hearty congratulations' to Trump, but faces pressure over Lammy's past criticisms of president

Kamala Harris has conceded defeat to Donald Trump

'I concede the election but not the fight': Harris urges supporters not to despair despite defeat to Trump

Donald Trump speaks at his election night watch party, Wednesday

What does Trump's victory mean for war in the Middle East and in Ukraine?

Amy Dowden and former dance partner JB Gill

Amy Dowden gives health update after announcing she is dropping out of Strictly in 'heartbreaking' statement

Mpox only spreads between people who are in close proximity to each other.

Another case of new more infectious mpox strain detected in UK, bringing total to four

Kamala Harris spoke with Donald Trump to congratulate him on his victory

Kamala Harris calls Trump to concede defeat and urges him to govern for all Americans as president

Exclusive
FILE - Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, right, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands during their meeting at Trump Tower, on Sept. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

Trump 'is serious about ending Ukraine war', says former national security adviser as he blames Biden for the conflict