How would a Tory DoH suit GPs?(Department of Health)(general practitioners)

Many GPs will vote Conservative, but are not sold on the party's health plans. Jonn Elledge reports.

By summer next year, it seems likely, Andrew Lansley will occupy the big desk in Richmond House.

Many GPs will greet his arrival with a sigh of relief. Relations with the current government have been so soured by the battles over polyclinics and extended hours that, as a recent GP poll confirmed, more than half the profession are now backing the Tories (GP, 9 January).

This, perhaps, is not surprising. As small businessmen, many GPs are a natural Conservative constituency (this, at least, is health minister Ben Bradshaw's excuse) and the shadow health secretary has spent the last couple of years going out of his way to court the GP vote.

He has promised them more respect and …