LOCAL Labour Party members have elected Dr John Dean as chair of the Crediton Branch Labour Party.

John is a retired consultant cardiologist who worked in the National Health Service for 42 years.

He is a passionate supporter of the NHS and has taken part in many campaigns over the years, writing regular articles in the "British Medical Journal" and "Western Morning News". John joined the Labour Party last year and is an active supporter of local party activities. 

Dr Dean, said: "Labour is the second party in Central Devon and so we provide the best chance of an alternative to Tory mismanagement.

"The current state of the NHS is a prime and tragic example of Conservative Party failures.

"Over the last 12 years, I saw successive Conservative administrations make the choice to underinvest in NHS staff, buildings, and equipment. This made us vulnerable to Covid-19.

"Underinvestment is also behind the huge problems we see in the news this winter, and when we try to get a GP appointment or have to visit a hospital.

"One of my priorities as the new chair of Crediton Labour is to show local people that there's an alternative to this Tory incompetence."