DR SIMON OPHER

Dr Simon Opher speaking at the Stroud Country Show

PIONEER

I have been a local GP for 30 years, and chair of Stroud Locality NHS. I was instrumental in the development of the Vale Hospital in Dursley and pioneered social prescribing – which has now become national policy – using the arts and voluntary sectors to improve people’s health – for which I was awarded an MBE in 2016.

ORGANISER

I helped organise and deliver the COVID vaccination service locally, with an amazing team of dedicated volunteers and health care staff.

In the Stroud area, the wealthiest people live on average nine years longer than the poorest. I have seen at first hand the devastating effect that this has on people’s lives.

“THE SOLUTION ISN’T MEDICAL, IT IS POLITICAL, THIS IS WHY I AM STANDING TO BE YOUR MP”

Stroud needs a truly local MP to represent us in Parliament. Someone who is connected to the constituency and who can proudly carry our values into Westminster. Someone who is ready to listen and to challenge the government to do more and do better for everyone.

Together we can
  • reverse the cost of living crisis
  • transform the NHS
  • safeguard the environment
  • build more affordable and social housing
  • deliver sustainable jobs
  • tackle inequality.

IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE FOR STROUD

While the climate crisis has to be our number one priority, the Tories have made our country more unequal, less efficient, less secure, all the while attacking the incomes of those least well off. Health, social services and policing are all on their knees after years of underfunding. And now they have their eyes on fracking, new oil and gas licences, investment zones and rolling back our human rights and environmental protections.

IT IS TIME FOR US TO HAVE A LOCAL MP WHO PUTS STROUD FIRST AND FOREMOST

LOCAL CHAMPION

“I love this area because it is a combination of lots of things that really matter to me. People genuinely care and try to look out for each other – community roots grow deep right across the constituency. At the same time we have cutting-edge industry, a strong sense of fairness and social justice, radical and innovative views on the environment and a rich history of creativity.”

Dr Simon Opher meets with Stroud midwives and the Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting to discuss proposed cutback to Stroud Maternity Ward

PUTTING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY FIRST

Simon specialises in eye care and mental health – he has helped to set up clinics in India and Central America. Simon chairs PREMA ARTS CENTRE in Uley and is a patron of GL11 – the pioneering community hub based in Cam, where he is helping to provide warm spaces through the winter.

I BELIEVE THAT BY WORKING TOGETHER WE CAN TRANSFORM STROUD INTO A HEALTHIER, FAIRER AND MORE PROSPEROUS PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND BRING UP A FAMILY, WITH POLICIES THAT BENEFIT EVERYONE NOT JUST THE TOP 1 PERCENT

FOR A FAIRER, GREENER FUTURE