In the House of Commons last Tuesday, the Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown voted in favour of the Care Bill, including a clause which gives health secretary Jeremy Hunt the power to shut down any NHS hospital at will, without consulting the community.

In the same week we hear there has been yet another Government delay in approving funding for the Royal Sussex County Hospital redevelopment, which was given planning permission more than two years ago.

Mr Kirby’s claims to be “campaigning for a new hospital” ring hollow in light of his Commons vote, and the go-ahead for the much-needed redevelopment looks more and more like it will be timed with the election, not patient care, in mind.

Councillor Warren Morgan, East Brighton ward and leader of the Labour and Co-operative group on Brighton and Hove City Council