Kemi Badenoch has condemned the latest doctors’ strikes on Labour’s watch as “disaster” that is “entirely avoidable”. The Conservative leader blasted Sir Keir Starmer’s Government for pushing Britain into a “summer of chaos”.
She said her party would support the Government in “facing down” the doctors’ BMA trade union “because it’s in our national interest”. Resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – started a five-day strike on Friday despite a warning from the Prime Minister this would lead to a “huge loss for the NHS and the country”.
Mrs Badenoch said: “These strikes are a disaster – for patients and their families, for NHS staff, and for the country. And they were entirely avoidable. The last Conservative government offered doctors a fair deal – one that recognised their value but also protected taxpayers and the NHS. Labour tore that up on day one – handing out inflation-busting pay rises with zero reform, no productivity gains, and not a thought for the long-term consequences.
“Throwing more money at a broken system isn’t a strategy, it’s a sticking plaster. We warned them this would happen. But Labour pressed on – scrapping minimum service levels, pushing through a reckless Employment Rights Bill that will make strikes easier, and giving in to BMA union militants. Now we are heading for a summer of chaos.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has condemned the BMA for “reckless and unnecessary action, forgetting that they’ve had a 28.9% pay increase”. He pledged he would not “let the BMA hold this country to ransom”.
Professor Meghana Pandit, the national medical director of NHS England, has apologised to patients who are now hit with delays, saying this is “extremely distressing”.
The Conservatives’ Mrs Badenoch said: “Keir Starmer stood on the steps of Downing Street and pledged to get the NHS back on its feet and run a Government that treads more lightly on people’s lives. He is doing the opposite.
“People just want to go about their lives without disruption, but Labour are making everything worse. Under my leadership, the Conservatives will always stand up to the unions and stand up for patients.
“We will support the Government in facing down the BMA, because it’s in our national interest. And we will set out some common-sense proposals for the Government to end this chaos once and for all. Enough is enough.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “This Government is working tirelessly with NHS colleagues to do everything we can to ensure the NHS is there for patients, and we will not let the BMA hold this country to ransom through reckless and unnecessary strike action.
“We were clear from day one that no further pay rise was on the table, having already provided a 28.9% increase, and it is disappointing the BMA declined our offer to explore improving working conditions for doctors in favour of these disruptive strikes that are hitting patients and NHS staff.”