Tooting MP’s call for greater mental health support in next Labour government amid shadow cabinet reshuffle

Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan has resigned from the shadow cabinet, claiming leader Sir Keir Starmer saw “no place for a mental health portfolio in a Labour cabinet”.

Ms Allin-Khan, however, said she remained committed to helping Labour win the next election.

In an open letter, Ms Allin Khan cited her pride in policies such as recruiting a further 8,500 mental health staff, cutting waiting times to under a month, and placing a mental health expert in every school.

She also took the opportunity to take aim at the Government for its failure to address the 1.8 million people awaiting use of mental health services and delays to reform the Mental Health Act and the Suicide Prevention Strategy.

The former Wandsworth Labour councillor for Tooting Bec and Balham also expressed a commitment to global humanitarian issues.

“I want to give a voice to the most vulnerable and marginalised people across the world,” she said.

Since being an MP, Ms Allin Khan said she has worked in refugee camps in Myanmar with the Rohingya people and helped provide supplies to Ukrainian civilians after the invasion by Russian forces.

The reshuffle by Labour was announced by Mr Starmer as an attempt to reset the Labour cabinet as the next election looms.

New entrants into the shadow cabinet include Hilary Benn, Darren Jones and Shabana Mahmood.

Pictured top: MP for Tooting Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (Picture: Parliament UK)