POLITICIANS vying to become the next Wirral West MP will be put to the test on Saturday when an NHS election protest makes its way through the constituency.

The day of action – held just 11 days ahead of the polls – has been co-ordinated by independent campaign group 38 Degrees.

It will see local campaigners talk to hundreds of voters about the importance of protecting the NHS at the General Election on May 7.

They will gather at 11.30am on Saturday, April 25 at the corner of Dee Lane and Banks Road in West Kirby, joining thousands of other people protesting on the same day across England.

They will hand in their 3,000-strong petition to Wirral West’s parliamentary candidates at a 38 Degrees-organised hustings taking place at the United Reformed Church at 7:30pm on Monday.

The campaigners are calling on people in Wirral West to vote to protect the NHS in the General Election, and will be challenging their candidates to protect the NHS from privatisation and funding freezes.

They are also set to rate their candidates’ pledges on the NHS using an online tool.

Frank McEnTaggart, a 38 Degrees member from Wirral West, said: “Our NHS is there for all of us when we need it. We can’t let it be neglected, sold off, or cut to the bone. It’s there for everyone.”

David Babbs, executive director of 38 Degrees, said: “This Saturday, people in Wirral West will be talking to hundreds of voters about how their vote could protect the NHS this election.

“We want Wirral West’s parliamentary candidates to see that the best way to win votes is to pledge to save the NHS from privatisation and funding freezes. Every candidate needs to realise that cutting NHS funding, or handing it over to private companies, is a huge turn off for voters.

“Saturday’s day of action is all about the people of Wirral West taking back the power, and putting their MP candidates to the test on the NHS.”

The petition can be signed at: 38degrees.org.uk/nhs