Conservative MP Christian Wakeford has defected to the Labour party in yet another crushing blow for Boris Johnson.
Mr Wakeford, MP for Bury South, announced his defection with a scathing letter to the PM just moments before Prime Minister’s Questions.
In the letter, the former Tory MP wrote that he wishes to join a political party that the country ‘can be proud of, and not embarrassed by’.
He added that Mr Johnson and the wider Conservative party has proven to be ‘incapable of offering the leadership and government that this country deserves’.
Christian Wakeford says Boris Johnson is ‘incapable of leadership’
Mr Wakeford, who was elected in 2019, added that the Tory party is ‘out of touch’ with his hard-working constituents.
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He was one of the MPs who wrote a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister after reports of lockdown parties at Downing Street emerged.
His full letter is below, touching on the ‘disgraceful way’ that Boris Johnson has behaved in recent weeks.
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I would like to welcome Christian Wakeford MP to the Labour Party.
I’m determined to build a new Britain which guarantees security, prosperity and respect for all and I’m delighted that Christian has decided to join us in this endeavour. pic.twitter.com/rp4sEyc0t1
Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour party, has welcomed the Mr Wakeford’s move.
He said: “He has always put the people of Bury South first.
“As Christian said, the policies of the Conservative government are doing nothing to help the people of Bury South and indeed are only making the struggles they face on a daily basis worse.
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“People across Britain faces a cost of living crisis but this incompetent Tory government is asleep at the wheel, distracted by a chaos of its own making.”
Dear Prime Minister, I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign from the Conservative Party and apply to join the Labour Party.
From today I will be sitting as the Labour MP for Bury South because I have reached the conclusion that the best interests of my constituents are served by the programme put forward by Keir Starmer and his party.
I care passionately about the people of Bury South and I have concluded that the policies of the Conservative government that you lead are doing nothing to help the people of my constituency and indeed are only making the struggles they face on a daily basis worse.
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Britain needs a government focused on tackling the cost of living crisis and providing a path out of the pandemic that protects living standards and defends the security of all.
It needs a government that upholds the highest standards of integrity and probity in public life and sadly both you and the Conservative Party as a whole have shown themselves incapable of offering the leadership and government this country deserves.
Being elected as MP for Bury South was the proudest day of my life. I care passionately about the area and will always be grateful to those who have supported me.
Today, however, I am in no doubt that they will be better served by my joining a party that genuinely has their interests at heart.
I have wrestled with my conscience for many months, and you will know that I have made my policy misgivings clear on many occasions in private and sometimes in public.
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I can no longer support a government that has shown itself consistently out of touch with the hard working people of Bury South and the country as a whole.
Under Keir Starmer, the Labour Party is back firmly in the centre of British politics, in touch with working people, and ready to provide an alternative government that this country can be proud of, and not embarrassed by.
My decision is about much more than your leadership and the disgraceful way you have conducted yourself in recent weeks. However, I don’t believe all politicians are the same and I do believe in the power of politics to be a force for good.
So does Keir Starmer.
He has shown that integrity in the way he has lead his party on issues that matter to me, not least the vital challenge of combatting antisemitism.
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I will always put the people of Bury South first and will continue to speak out for the changes the area needs.
Changes that can only be delivered by a Labour government under Sir Keir Starmer.
Featured image: Richard Townshend Photography
News
Harry Maguire extends Manchester United stay with new contract
Danny Jones
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has committed his future to the club for at least another year, signing a new contract extension.
The Man United centre-half and England international had been the subject of much speculation over the past year or so, with many expecting him to leave last summer.
Several Premier League clubs were said to be interested in acquiring the experienced centre-half’s services then, as were there other suitors this past January, but after surviving a period out of the first-choice XI, he’s since been enjoying somewhat of a renaissance.
All that being said, the board have now decided to reassure their faith in Maguire even further, offering him a fresh one-year deal with an option to extend by another season.
Now 33, it was thought that INEOS might try and cash in on the Yorkshire-born CB while they could still get a reasonable transfer fee for him, especially as a player now supposedly leaving the so-called ‘peak’ for a professional footballer.
Then again, plenty of players have certainly challenged that timeframe over the years, and if anything, this past 18 months or so has been one of the best periods in his United career.
Having not only regained a more consistent level of fitness and form, helping shore up the defence in the absence of others along the backline, he’s also continued to prove himself an aerial threat, chipping in with multiple big goals and more than one match-winner.
It’s also worth noting that he showed huge resilience after not only a fair amount of abuse from football fans and also some of his own team’s supporters, but following the saga in Greece on a family holiday in the aftermath of Euro 2020.
This bounce-back, among a number of other factors, is why he now looks like he could be back in the frame for the 2026 World Cup, making it into the Three Lions squads this past March.
Speaking in a club statement, Maguire said: “Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour. It is a responsibility that makes myself and my family proud every single day. I’m delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together.
“You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see, and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us.”
Jason Wilcox, Manchester United director of football, went on to add: “Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad.
“Harry, like everyone at the club, is completely determined to help Manchester United to achieve regular and sustained success.”
NHS urges public not to delay getting medical help as ‘difficult’ resident doctors strike begins
Emily Sergeant
The NHS is urging the public not to delay seeking any medical help they may need despite the resident doctors strike beginning today.
Industrial action by resident doctors – who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) – officially started today at 7am (Tuesday 7 April) and is set to run for six full days until 6:59am on Monday 13 April.
This is the fifteenth round of strike action being taken by resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – over pay and jobs.
The NHS says hospital teams across the country are working to minimise disruption for patients.
From 7am today and continuing into next week, some NHS services will be affected due to strike action.
Here’s what you need to know about accessing NHS care during this time ⬇️
However, the health service has conceded that this particular round of strike action is expected to be ‘particularly challenging’ due to the shorter notice period it was given – which also includes bank holidays – and the action itself falling during the Easter school holidays.
But it insits ‘plans are in place’ to continue urgent and emergency care as normal, while keeping as much planned care going as possible.
In addition to prioritising urgent and emergency care, cancer, and maternity services, the NHS says it has shown in previous strikes that it can keep the vast majority of services running for patients.
With this being the case, the NHS is insisting that patients should attend planned appointments unless they have been contacted to reschedule.
The NHS is urging patients to still keep coming forward for care if they need it / Credit: Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
“Staff across the NHS will be doing everything they can this week to keep patients safe and ensure people can continue to get the care they need,” commented Professor Ramani Moonesinghe, who is the National Clinical Director for Critical and Perioperative Care at NHS England, ahead of strike action beginning today.
“We know this round of industrial action will be difficult, coming straight after the Easter weekend, but patients should come forward as normal and attend any appointments unless they are contacted otherwise.”
GP practices, NHS 111, and urgent and emergency care services will continue to be available during the strike period, so anyone who needs urgent but not life-threatening care should use 111 online in the first instance, where they will be directed to the most appropriate service for their needs.
Patients with life-threatening emergencies should continue to call 999 or attend A&E as normal.
Daisy Jackson -
19th January 2022 
