Rod Stewart has called on the Conservatives to stand down and make way for a Labour government to help solve the crisis in the NHS. The legendary singer and celebrity Celtic fan was an unexpected caller to Sky News today, where he offered to pay for scans for patients stuck on NHS waiting lists.
The self-proclaimed Tory voter also said he was on the side of striking nurses and called for them to be given a fair deal. Stewart, 77, said: “They’re not asking for a great deal. I personally have been a Tory for a long time, but I think this government should stand down now and give the Labour party a go at it.
“Because this is heartbreaking for the nurses, it really is heartbreaking. In all my years of living in this country I’ve never seen it so bad. And anything I can do to help. Go on, the nurses. I’m on your side.”
The hitmaker, who regularly attends Celtic games in Glasgow, said it was "ridiculous" that so many people were waiting for care and described how he visited a private clinic yesterday for his yearly scan where they only had "a couple of customers".
"I would like to pay for 10-20 scans. I don't know how this is going to work but hopefully some other people will follow," he said. "It seems ridiculous that this particular scanning clinic was empty and there are people dying because they cannot get scans.
"Now listen to me, I don't need the publicity, I just want to do some good things and this, I think is a good thing. If other people follow me, I'd love it."
Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting tweeted: "Maggie may have been a Tory but Rod's Labour!"
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