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Burstow wins promotion to Shadow Health job in Kennedy Reshuffle
October 13, 2003 10:48 AM
Sutton and Cheam MP, Paul Burstow, has been promoted by his Leader, Charles Kennedy, to head up the Party's health team as Shadow Secretary of State for Health.
For the last four years Mr Burstow has held the brief as Shadow Minister for Older People. The promotion comes a month after the MP was has been named by the Guardian newspaper as one of the most influential people in public services and social policy in its 'Influencers 100'.
Commenting on his promotion Paul Burstow MP said:
"I am delighted to have the opportunity to take on the Government on health. It has been a real privilege to have been the first ever Shadow Minister for Older People in any party. My interest in issues effecting older people will not diminish with the new job.
"Over the next few months I will be tackling the Government on its obsession with targets and tick boxes. I will continue to challenge Ministers over their complacent approach to the spread of MRSA and other infections in our hospitals. Above all I am determined to ensure that people get a fair deal from the NHS and Social Services."
ENDS
Notes to Editor
According to the Guardian it considered four main criteria: influence over policy, delivery of services and professional practice; transformative power - the ability to change institutions, places or perceptions; financial clout; and political muscle - judged either by proximity to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, or by robust and influential independence from Downing Street.
Mr Burstow was one of just five Members of Parliament listed by the paper, the others where Oliver Letwin, Frank Dobson, Steve Webb, and Frank Field.
The Guardian described Mr Burstow as: "One of the most knowledgeable and effective politicians on older people's issues, the Lib Dem spokesman at times seems the only parliamentarian taking a real interest in elderly care, and has almost single handedly kept older people's issues on the political agenda. He constantly wrongfoots ministers and has played a key role in exposing scandals of over-medication and elder abuse."
Mr Burstow plans to continue his work with and for older people as a Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Ageing and Older People.
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