Health Secretary Wes Streeting has told the BMA doctors’ union to “pick a side” between Reform and Labour over their pay dispute.
Mr Streeting, talking to Sky News political editor Beth Rigby on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, said the Labour Party will always be on the side of the NHS, while Reform leader Nigel Farage would “check your credit card before your pulse”.
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In July, resident doctors, previously known as junior doctors, went on strike over their pay and are threatening to strike again following years of walkouts under the previous Tory government.
In a preview of what his speech on Tuesday to the Labour Party conference will focus on, Mr Streeting said: “I’d say to the BMA, pick a side because you’ve got a choice here and there’s a government that wants to work with you.”
During a live recording of Electoral Dysfunction at the conference in Liverpool, he added: “What I’ve said to the BMA is the NHS is hanging by a thread, don’t pull it.
“It wouldn’t be in the interest of the BMA – there isn’t a more pro-doctor, pro-NHS government waiting in the wings.”
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He mentioned Mr Farage’s plan to introduce health insurance, adding: “The BMA should really think about this in terms of their members.”
Mr Farage has also pledged to abolish indefinite leave to remain and put in place a minimum salary of £60,000 for skilled worker visas.
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The health secretary said that would be “shooting ourselves in the foot” when it comes to NHS staff.
“Farage says ‘go home’, the Labour Party says ‘this is your home and with us this will always be your home’,” he said.
Lib Dems are ‘frenemies’
Mr Streeting said he thinks there will be lots of disaffected Conservative voters who do not want to see Reform in government, and said they are “welcome to get behind us”.
He added some of those voters will support the Lib Dems, who he called “frenemies” of Labour – “some days they’re friends, some days they’re enemies” – but said “we have a common enemy in Reform”.
We need Burnham on the pitch
Mr Streeting also addressed the potential of Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham challenging Sir Keir Starmer for his premiership.
He said he thought Mr Burnham claiming there is a “culture of fear” within the Labour Party “was an overstatement”.
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Asked if the mayor is a team player, Mr Streeting said: “On his best days, yes.”
But he said recently “he’s had his ups and downs”.
However, he added: “I think the thing about Andy, he’s one of our star players, and we need him on the pitch.”
