Major blow to Rishi Sunak as former health minister switches over to Labour Party
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former health minister Dr Dan Poulter
In a major blow to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party, Tory MP and former health minister Dr Dan Poulter defected to Keir Starmer's Labour Party. Dr Poulter said that the Conservatives have become a “nationalist party of the right” that no longer prioritises the NHS or the National Health Service (NHS), which is a government-funded healthcare system in the United Kingdom that provides free services to almost the entire population, except for certain services.
Dr Dan Poulter is the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich. Dr Poulter also works part-time as a mental health doctor in an NHS hospital.
In an interview with the Observer, Dr Poulter announced he was resigning as a Tory MP and would be taking the Labour whip until the next election.
Also watch |UK PM Rishi Sunak coaxes voters with key legislations
He claimed he would not seek re-election to the House of Commons at the next general election. But he added that he sees a role for himself advising the Labour party on its policies on mental health while focusing more on his NHS work.
)
Xi Jinping's new AI bloc: China launches 'World AI Body' with Pakistan and Russia in, India out
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the S-400 uses solid rocket fuel instead of liquid fuel
)
Explained: Why Rodri won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball over Lionel Messi
)
Japan is selling a refrigerator to cool the human body for Rs 9 lakh. It is already a hit in Tokyo
)
Revealed! The hidden ritual Marc Cucurella performed before Spain won the FIFA World Cup
)
Mumbai court gives life sentences to 44 Somali pirates despite mercy plea
)
US-Iran conflicts: Houthis announce maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, Iran attacks MQ-9 drone hangar | Gravitas
)
‘Iran can survive sanctions, but can’t truly live’: Dy FM warns of economic cost of war
)
Sonam Wangchuk's connection with George Soros and Ford Foundation explained!
)
‘Netanyahu will not be arrested in any way, shape, or form in US’: Trump’s counter to Mamdani
)
'There is no need for...': PM Modi takes a veiled dig at Rahul Gandhi, sends big message amid Parliament March
)
FACT CHECK: Was Abhijit Dipke detained during CJP's Parliament march? Here's what police say
)
UP BTech gold medalist dies by suicide after failing in nearly 50 govt job attempts, leaves note for father
)
'Could be bombed at any moment': What Iran's Araghchi told Trump envoy Witkoff during negotiations
)
Jail over Khamenei post: J&K youth returns home after 3 months in Saudi custody
)
Salman Khan breaks silence on health concerns after viral Mumbai appearance
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
)
Indus treaty can no longer function in its current form, says India; plans 5,500 mw of new J&K hydro projects
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (July 20-26, 2026): Musafir Cafe, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya, 72 Hours- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
2026 FIFA World Cup awards: Full list of Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove and every major winner
)
US-Iran war: Report suggests US lost 42 aircraft, including fighter jets, reaper drones
)
JD and Usha Vance welcome fourth child: Who serves as acting US vice president during Vance's paternity leave?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Spain World Cup victory parade in Madrid: Champions celebrate second FIFA World Cup title with over million fans
)
Heavy sanctions loom over Argentine players after ugly brawl following final whistle in World Cup final
)
As Russia pounds Ukraine, Kyiv grapples with a growing manpower shortage in the military | Gravitas
)
Truck loaded with stones, metro stations closed: What's happening at Jantar Mantar now
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s cockpit glass is thicker than a standard fighter jet
)
Student union leaders call off hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after civil society appeal, but protest continues
)
Tulsi Gabbard's brother Batarti accused of luring children to hotel room in Hawaii
)
Argentina's racism problem: How football chants reflect a deeper historical legacy
)
US strikes Iran, sirens heard in Kuwait, one American soldier killed in Iraq: What's happening in West Asia
)
'What is wrong...': Anna Hazare breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk's protest, makes an appeal to Centre
"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," said Dr Poulter
Also read |Boris Johnson 'believed' Narayana Murthy was helping Rishi Sunak to become UK PM, claims new book
The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, celebrated the move on social media. "It’s fantastic to welcome Dr Dan Poulter MP to today’s changed Labour party," he posted on X. "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."
What does it mean?
The defection – the first by a Tory MP to Labour since Christian Wakeford's switch to the Labour – is another severe blow to Rishi Sunak before the council and mayoral elections next week, in which the Tory party is expected to lose up to a half of its remaining local authority seats.
(With inputs from agencies)