Angela Rayner ridiculed for Labour's promise to build existing hospital

The Northern Cancer Treatment Center that Labor promised to build

Angela Rayner was ridiculed for the Labor Party's promise to build an existing cancer centre.

In the press release on Tuesday, the party promised to «build the Cumberland Cancer Hospital» in Carlisle, Cumbria.

But it has already been built and will open in 2021 after being added to the Conservatives' list of «40 new hospitals» committed to build by 2030.

Tom Sheldrick, political correspondent for ITV News Border, revealed the mistake to Ms Rayner, deputy leader of the Labor Party, in an awkward interview on board the party's battle bus.

A journalist asked her: “It was done and this was done.» Opening in 2021, this is the Northern Cancer Treatment Center here in Carlisle, isn't it?»

Ms Rayner seemed confused as she tried to answer the question.

“Yes, we need to improve, in fact Wes [Streeting, the shadow health secretary] argued that we had not delivered on our promise of 40 new hospitals and he said we would continue with the program and that's right,” she said. .

Angela Rayner was forced to answer some tough questions on Labour's battle bus. Photo: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

“We will go further because here in Cumbria and here in Carlisle in particular, people are waiting longer to get an appointment, be it for cancer treatment or other operations they need.

“ So our program to deliver these extra hospital visits will actually make a real difference for people here.»

Her comments came despite Labor releasing a press release hours ago saying which said: “Labour has committed to delivering the programme, confirming it will build the Cumberland Cancer Hospital and upgrade Shotley Bridge Hospital.

«It is part of the party's plan to get the NHS back on its feet and ready for the future.»< /p>

The Labour Party has since called the press release an administrative error.

Mr Sheldrick asked Ms Rayner whether this «shows Labor doesn't understand this area».

She replied: «Well, I understand the area well, it's the area that used to be my patch when I was [in] the utilities union Unison.»

She added that «I haven't seen the press -release». smiling, which prompted Mr Sheldrick to show it to her.

“Well, great, but I think most people will understand that our NHS is currently seeing record waiting lists and we really need to figure it out,” she replied.

Ms Rayner was joined by Emily Thornberry, the shadow attorney general, as they met local party members in Carlisle.

Labour currently has no seats in the region after Conservative Mark Jenkinson won Workington in 2019 year, which is part of the so-called Red Wall, former Red support areas in the Midlands and the north of England.