UK Politics
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This is the best summary I could come up with:
A Tory MP and former health minister has staged a dramatic defection to Labour, saying the Conservatives have become a “nationalist party of the right” that has abandoned compassion and no longer prioritises the NHS.
But, writing in the Observer, he says he envisages a role advising the Labour party on its policies on mental health while focusing more on his NHS work.
Poulter said his experiences on more than 20 night shifts over the last year in a severely overstretched accident and emergency department had been “truly life-changing” and persuaded him to defect to the only party he believed was now really committed to investing in improving the NHS.
The Observer understands that discussions between Poulter and senior Labour figures have been going on for many months at the highest levels about the timing and organisation of his likely defection, as well as advisory roles he could play in future in developing the party’s health policies, with the benefit of his firsthand inside knowledge.
Heavy losses and failure to hold on to key mayoralties such as the West Midlands and Tees Valley are likely to reopen speculation about a possible pre-election leadership challenge to the prime minister.
In the run-up to the next general election, the future of the NHS will be a vital battleground, and Labour is known to be keen to use Poulter’s inside knowledge to maximum effect.
The original article contains 963 words, the summary contains 231 words. Saved 76%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!