Harrogate and Knaresborough MP votes for Lib Dem motions to fix health and care crises on party’s first Opposition Day in 15 years

Tom Gordon MP was “incredibly proud” to vote in favour of the Liberal Democrats’ motions to rescue community healthcare and end the carers' repayment scandal.

On the Liberal Democrats’ first Opposition Day since 2009, Tom Gordon voted for the party’s motions to fix the dual crises of health and care.

Tom Gordon’s vote to resolve these crucial issues follows shocking new statistics, commissioned by the Lib Dems, which revealed that 1 in 4 Brits have been unable to work because they can’t get an NHS appointment. The poll indicated that a massive 45% of the population have been unable to book a GP or dentist appointment - revealing the extent of the strain on the NHS system as we head into the winter months. 

Wednesday’s first Liberal Democrat proposal focused on the Carer’s Allowance repayments scandal, calling on the Government to write off existing overpayments and conduct a full review of support for unpaid carers. The second motion urged Ministers to tackle the NHS crisis by improving access to GPs, NHS dentists and community pharmacists.

Despite the strain on the NHS as we head into the winter months, Labour MPs voted against the motions. Tom Gordon expressed his regret that the bill had faced opposition, and pledged his continued dedication to putting health and care top of the parliamentary priority list. 

Commenting on the vote, Tom Gordon said:

“I was incredibly proud to vote in favour of these essential proposals.

“The state of community healthcare in Harrogate and Knaresborough is dire and the carers overpayment scandal is a national disgrace. 

“When I speak to families and pensioners across Harrogate and Knaresborough, I hear time and time again that people can’t get an NHS appointment when they so desperately need it, whether for a GP, a dentist or other services. That’s why I threw my support behind these measures - voting to rescue our GPs, NHS dentists, community pharmacists and of course our carers. 

“I was very disappointed to see that the government chose to oppose these motions. Our health and care services need dignity and capability now more than ever - especially after the squeeze on winter fuel payments that will drive NHS and care demand sky-high.”

“I am urging the government to follow the Liberal Democrats’ example and make health and social care their top priority. This sector badly needs prioritisation.”

ENDS

Methodology: Savanta interviewed 2,117 UK adults aged 18+ online on 11th to 13th October 2024. Data were weighted to be representative of the UK by age, sex, region, and social grade.