Labour’s new health minister Ashley Dalton has earned herself a newspaper splash 24 hours into the job. Starmer’s newest frontbencher said people can identify as llamas, among other things…
Her left-wing views go beyond identity politics. When Labour first proposed using the private sector to cut NHS waiting lists in 2023, Dalton was among the fiercest critics, blaming Tory “privatisation” for soaring profits and patients being “left behind.” Not ideal timing, given Wes Streeting has just struck a deal with the private sector to “get patients seen faster.” Unhelpful for Streeting…
Dalton also took aim at the Tory government’s plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, casting doubt on how the figure will be reached through civil service cuts. One more potential headache for Starmer…
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”