‘Make a stand on health reforms’ plea to MP Lynne Featherstone
Published: 3 September, 2010
by TOM FOOT
NHS campaigners are calling on Lib Dems to oppose the coalition government’s health reforms.
The Defend the Whittington Hospital Coalition (DWHC) wants Hornsey and Wood Green Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone – Equalities Minister in the new government – to back its campaign against Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s White Paper. They believe the support of Ms Featherstone, who campaigned to save Whittington Hospital before the election, would be a significant blow to the proposals.
DWHC chairwoman Shirley Franklin said: “What we really want to know is where she stands on the White Paper. She says she is going to stand up for the health service – but is she going to vote against the government?
“She hasn’t responded yet to the last email I sent last week asking precisely that.”
A spokeswoman for Ms Featherstone said the Lib Dem minister would continue to fight for local services, including the Whittington, and had not decided whether to oppose the White Paper.
The MP had “no intention of turning her back on the campaign”, she added. “It is worrying if that is what’s being said, as we are aware of quite a lot of emails and we have responded as much as we can,” the spokeswoman said.
Islington Council’s Lib Dem group leader Councillor Terry Stacy has also yet to make clear his position on the NHS reforms.