711 
Trade unions have revealed they may put up a candidate in south London at the next General Election under a “Save Our Hospitals” banner to protest at NHS cuts.
Union activists are targeting the Liberal Democrat seat of Carshalton and Wallington, where they have been campaigning for months to protect jobs and services at St Helier Hospital.
Recently, thousands of local residents took part in a march as a show of support for their local hospital, and Geoff Martin, head of campaigns for London Health Emergency, said he believes there is huge interest in the idea of having an independent candidate highlighting a single issue such as NHS cuts.
He said: “This would be an ideal constituency for this to happen and unions are now actively considering putting up a candidate, especially as the future of the hospital is still in doubt.
“The huge turn-out at the public rally showed the level of public opposition to NHS cuts and there is a strong feeling that it is not being properly articulated by politicians.”
But constituency MP Tom Brake has said the Liberal Democrats are the best party to defend the health service.
Copyright © PA Business 2007
