Zöe Franklin calls Guildford MP's failure to back Lib Dem push for guaranteed GP appointments as 'callous'.

The Liberal Democrat Amendment to the King’s Speech has been debated in Parliament. The Party wanted to address the Conservative Government’s failure to commit to specific measures to tackle the crisis in the NHS in its planned programme of legislation for the new parliamentary session. 

The amendment called for the Conservatives to back up their manifesto pledges with action, including a commitment to give patients the primary care they need, by: 

• enshrining in law a new right for patients to see their GP within a week, or  
• within 24 hours in cases of urgent need.  
• a further call on the Government to publish a dental recovery plan that includes proposals to ensure everyone can access the care they need.  

Zöe Franklin said: “Before the vote, I called on our Conservative MP to put the best interests of her constituents ahead of party politics. I am not surprised, but bitterly disappointed, that Angela Richardson chose instead to follow her party’s orders and vote against the amendment.” 

“The amendment would have committed the Government to improving waiting times and access to GP and dentist appointments. Voting against this is a callous betrayal of everyone waiting for an appointment, where delay just adds to their distress and pain. And let’s not forget, that appointment can be the crucial first step on the path to further, vital, NHS treatment.”

The Liberal Democrats Amendment also criticised the Conservative Government for not including a two-month cancer treatment guarantee, failing to improve ambulance waiting times and failing to meet its undelivered manifesto pledge of building 40 new hospitals.

Zöe Franklin added: “Communities like ours have been taken for granted by the Conservative Party for far too long. Guildford deserves a strong local champion who stands up for our health services in Parliament. Voters know that with the Liberal Democrats, they will get exactly that.” 

More Information

The record of the votes on the amendment can be found here. 

The text of the Liberal Democrat amendment can be found here (amendment k).