Former MP Dr Richard Taylor to launch new party
A retired doctor who served two terms as a Midland MP after campaigning against the closure of an A&E department is set to launch a new party within days, he has revealed.
Ex-Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor, aged 77, will be co-leader of National Health Action, which will contest seats at the next general election.
The party aims to tackle the Government's controversial health reforms. It is hoping to put up at least 50 candidates at the next election and is appealing to medical professionals to join.
The other co-leader is Middlesborough-based consultant oncologist Dr Clive Peedell.
Dr Taylor today revealed the party will be officially launched in the next fortnight.
It comes as campaigners battle against cost-cutting plans that could see Kidderminster Hospital close.
Six models of care have been drawn up, including two which could lead to Kidderminster Hospital being closed or downgraded.
Dr Taylor set up the Independent Health Concern party in the late 1990s when the casualty department of Kidderminster Hospital was under threat. He was defeated in the 2010 General Election by Mark Garnier,
He said: "We are ready to launch the party now and we expect it to happen in the next fortnight. Everything is going ahead as planned and I am very positive about what we can achieve."
A former consultant physician, Dr Taylor became one of the few independent candidates in modern times to defend his seat in parliament.
After he was defeated in 2010 he said he intended to retire – but has admitted he was drawn back into politics in "frustration" at the Coalition's plans for the NHS.
He added: "The title of the party avoids using the initials "NHS" and removes the risk of being labelled as a one issue party as it allows the party to fight on all issues contributing to the nation's health.
"As well as action for the NHS, action is required to make social services, particularly for the elderly, much fairer and the economy has huge implications for the health of the nation."
