HELEN Morgan says she will use her first day as North Shropshire MP in Westminster to ask for urgent action on the ambulance crisis facing Shropshire.

Ms Morgan will be in Parliament for the first time since her historic win on Friday, December 17, when she became the first non-Conservative MP for the constituency.

Since she replaced Owen Paterson, the Liberal Democrat MP has made improving ambulance access in the county her top priority.

“I am here in Westminster to make sure the people of Shropshire are no longer taken for granted by this Conservative government," she said.

“The ambulance crisis is a life and death situation in Shropshire. I can’t think of many other meetings which are more important than this one.

"The Health Secretary cannot ignore this request any longer.

“Despite thousands of local people signing petitions warning against local health cuts and distressing stories from those in need of emergency care, we have seen no action from this Government.

“I am determined to hit the ground running on my first day and ensure the concerns of people in our community are no longer ignored.”

Ms Morgan will write to the Health Secretary Sajid Javid calling for an urgent meeting with the West Midlands Ambulance Services (WMAS) Trust.

In recent months, four local ambulance stations have closed in Shropshire despite the crisis.

The crisis has also been worsened by the surge in Covid cases because of the Omicron variant, which has seen ambulances being taken off the road across the country due to staff absences.

Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey MP added: “Boris Johnson has still not woken up to North Shropshire’s damning verdict on his out of touch Government.

"I told him after the Liberal Democrats victory in Chesham and Amersham that his Government must change, yet he arrogantly ignored that message from voters.

"If he continues to ignore people like this, Liberal Democrats will be there to represent them instead.

“Helen’s inspiring campaign gave hope not just to people in North Shropshire, but to millions of people across our country who are desperate for change.

"I am proud my party is fighting for a fair deal for everyone and thrilled that Helen will make an exceptional addition to the Liberal Democrat team in Parliament.”