Conservative MP Dan Poulter Defects to Labour, Criticizes Party's Neglect of NHS
Conservative MP Dan Poulter, who also works part-time as a doctor, has defected to the Labour Party.
In an interview with the BBC, he expressed his inability to continue representing the Conservatives due to their perceived lack of focus on public services, particularly the NHS.
The Conservative Party responded by stating that they are increasing NHS funding to a record £165bn a year, recovering it from pandemic effects, and implementing the first long-term workforce plan to train necessary healthcare professionals.
Poulter's defection was described as disappointing news by the Conservative Party.
Dr. Poulter, a Labour MP and former Conservative health minister, announced that he will leave the Tories and sit as a Labour MP until the general election.
Defecting MPs are uncommon and can be damaging to the party.
Dr. Poulter, who was first elected in 2010 and still works in the NHS, has been considering leaving the Conservatives for some time due to the strain on the health service.
He stated that he could no longer look his colleagues, patients, and constituents in the eye with a clear conscience.
The speaker believes that the Conservative Party has shifted its values and no longer places importance on public services and supporting disadvantaged individuals.
They note that the party they were once a part of held compassionate views and valued public services, but they believe the party has changed significantly in this regard.