Dr David Bull, the former doctor and TV presenter, has today stood down as PPC for Brighton Pavilion in order to head up a Conservative policy review on sexual health with Anne Milton, the shadow health minister.
He explained:
"I am delighted to have been asked to head up this vitally important matter for the future health of our nation. I have long been concerned about the spiralling rates of sexual diseases in the UK, particularly amongst young people. It is essential that we find policy solutions to tackle this growing problem before it is too late. This is a very important task which will require detailed work and will have far reaching implications.It will command a considerable amount of my time and coupled with my already busy workload which will mean that I will no longer be able to make the commitments that is required if we are to win back Brighton Pavilion. I could not have asked for more help and support from my local association, and am determined to continue to help them secure a Conservative MP at the next election."
Carol Ramsden, chairman of the Brighton Pavilion Conservative Association, added:
"We are very sorry to see David step down, but we are proud he will be leading such an important policy area for the party, and understand the demands on his time. David is a huge asset to our Party, and we are pleased he has pledged to continue to work with us to elect a Conservative MP in Brighton Pavilion at the next election."
Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley welcomed his appointment to the policy review, saying:
"I am delighted that Dr. Bull has agreed to lead the policy review on sexual health. The Conservative Party is determined to make public health policy central to dealing with health policy overall and sexual health is a significant part of that. It will be a challenge, but Dr. Bull's medical expertise makes him well qualified to fulfil this task. His involvement is in keeping with our pledge to found our health policies on a robust evidence-base".
A new candidate will therefore be sought for Brighton Pavilion, who will need a swing of 6.6% to overturn a notional Labour majority of 5,867 from second place. Labour MP David Lepper is retiring, but it is an unusual seat in that the Greens are in a strong third place, with the party's leader, MEP Caroline Lucas, intending to stand there at the general election.
Jonathan Isaby
