A clip of Nadine Dorries rudely dismissing calls for cross-party talks on mental health has been doing the rounds on social media after the Tory MP was appointed culture secretary.
In November of last year Dorries sparked controversy after she told her Labour shadow that the only way they could sway policy on the health package for NHS staff is to “win an election”.
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Labour’s mental health spokesperson, asked whether she would agree to meet todiscuss Labour’s Care for Carers proposal.
The package included 24 hour access to a national hotline for NHS staff, follow-up support and intervention and treatment.
But Dorries was in no mood to hear it out.
Taking to the despatch box, she blurted: “One of the joys of being a minister of the government is that we actually won an election and therefore that gives us the right to decide policy and the ability to decide policy.
“I can honestly say if the honourable lady wishes to decide the policy then the party opposite should do harder at the next election. Try harder!”
Petty, ungracious & partisan from Nadine Dorries.
— Jonathan Ashworth (@JonAshworth) November 3, 2020
I’ve never known a minister refuse an offer from a shadow minister to meet & work on a cross party basis.
We’re in biggest public health crises for 100 years. NHS staff under intense pressure deserve decent mental health care. https://t.co/OP2mD6GLJd
Related: Andrew Neil explains decision to leave GB News during Question Time appearance
