Refusal to support Horton Hospital improvement due to Tory MP's involvement

Oxfordshire county councillors were asked by Conservative Eddie Reeves to support his motion to do everything they could to 'deliver an improved facility on the hospital’s existing site or at a new and improved one within the Banbury area that is accessible to residents across the Horton’s unique four-county catchment area'.

But the motion also acknowledged the work of other groups and people in the fight to save services at the Banbury hospital, including a mention of the local Conservative MP Victoria Prentis.

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The council's Labour group had attempted to amend the mention of Ms Prentis, but this was refused.

Labour councillor Glynis Philips said: "It is no surprise that a local MP is supporting her local healthcare facilities because all MPs support their local health facilities. It is just what MPs do."

Victoria Prentis. Picture: Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/PA Wire.

She added that Ms Prentis, who she referred to as the 'named MP', had voted against increases in funding for local government which could support social care, that has an 'inextricable' link with healthcare.

Green councillor Pete Sudbury said: "The reference to a Conservstive MP adds nothing to the argument and seems to be a stumbling block to us all sticking our hands up and saying this is a great motion"

But independent councillor Hilary Hibbert-Biles said opposition to the motion was 'splitting hairs', adding: "Come on guys, this is about the Horton hospital, not about our political parties."

The council eventually voted in favour of the motion by a majority.

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In 2017, the Horton has seen its maternity ward downgraded from an obstetric service, to a midwife-led one.

A special scrutiny committee at the council grills health bosses about decision making around the Horton.