Starmer welcomes Tory defector to Labour and promises mental health reform

Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed Dr Dan Poulter, who quit the Tory Party in anger over the NHS crisis, to Labour, saying the part-time medic’s concerns may echo those of many disillusioned Conservative voters. Sir Keir and Dr Poulter visited the Francis Crick Institute in London as the Labour leader promised to “overhaul” the way mental health is approached if he wins the election. Dr Poulter, a former Tory health minister, made the shock announcement that he was crossing the floor to Labour on Saturday.