MP’s defection reflects ‘disillusionment’ of Tory voters, says Wes Streeting

Shadow health secretary said Dan Poulter’s defection showed he believed ‘only Labour can be trusted with the NHS’

A former Conservative health minister’s defection to the Labour party reflects the “disaffection and disillusionment felt by millions of Tory voters”, Wes Streeting has said.

Dr Dan Poulter, a former one nation Tory, dramatically announced he would be taking the Labour whip until the next election as the Conservative party had become a “nationalist party of the right”, no longer prioritised the NHS or had a “compassionate outlook” on key issues, he told the Observer.