Richard Taylor (UK politician)

Dr Richard Thomas Taylor (born July 7, 1934) is an English medical doctor turned politician, and an independent Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest, having run as the Independent Kidderminster Hospital and Health Concern candidate.

Related Topics:
July 7 - 1934 - English - Medical doctor - Member of Parliament - Wyre Forest - Independent Kidderminster Hospital and Health Concern

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He campaigned largely on a single issue: that of keeping Kidderminster Hospital open, and won with a majority of 18,000 - defeating the incumbent Labour MP and junior minister, David Lock. In this, he was aided by the Liberal Democrats' decision not to stand a candidate against him and instead support his campaign. The Liberal Democrats had previously stood down to aid the election of an other independent 'anti-sleaze' candidate Martin Bell in Tatton in 1997.

Related Topics:
Kidderminster Hospital - Labour - David Lock - Liberal Democrats - Martin Bell - Tatton - 1997

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Before entering politics he had been a consultant at the hospital. While his speeches in the Commons have been mostly confined to the health service, he has also laid out an atypical collection of political views. These non-health policies include Section 28, the renationalisation of the British railway system, and the availability of cannabis as a controlled drug. He also opposed the Iraq war. He was re-elected at the 2005 election with a reduced majority of 5,250; again the Liberal Democrats stood aside. Labour were pushed into third place.

Related Topics:
Section 28 - Renationalisation - British railway system - Cannabis - 2005 election

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