Sarah Wollaston

British medical doctor and former politician

Dr. Sarah Wollaston

Sarah Wollaston (born 17 February 1962) is a British medical doctor and former politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Totnes from 2010 to 2019. Originally elected as a member of the Conservative Party, she later joined the Liberal Democrats.

Early life and education

Sarah Wollaston was born in Woking, Surrey, England. She attended the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine in London, where she qualified as a doctor. Wollaston furthered her education with a focus on general practice, eventually becoming a general practitioner (GP).

Medical career

Before entering politics, Wollaston worked as a GP in Devon, where she gained extensive experience in community healthcare. Her medical career provided her with insights into the National Health Service (NHS) and public health issues, which later influenced her political career.

Political career

Entry into politics

Wollaston entered politics as a member of the Conservative Party. She was selected as the Conservative candidate for Totnes through an open primary, a novel approach at the time, which allowed all constituents, regardless of party affiliation, to vote in the selection process.

Parliamentary work

As an MP, Wollaston was known for her independent stance and willingness to speak out on issues such as healthcare, public health, and social care. She served as the Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee, where she advocated for evidence-based policy making and transparency in government health initiatives.

Party changes

In 2019, Wollaston left the Conservative Party, citing disagreements over Brexit and the party's direction under then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. She briefly joined Change UK, a centrist political party, before becoming a member of the Liberal Democrats.

Personal life

Sarah Wollaston is married and has three children. She continues to be active in public health advocacy and remains a respected voice on healthcare issues in the UK.

Related pages

• National Health Service (NHS)
• Liberal Democrats (UK)
• Conservative Party (UK)
• Change UK