The MP for West Lancashire has stepped down from her ministerial role, as she undergoes chemotherapy.
In a post on X, Ashley Dalton said that she wants to be able to focus on representing members of her constituency while she continues her treatment.
The MP, who is the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention in the Department of Health and Social Care, said: “I have taken the decision to step down from my ministerial responsibilities to allow me to focus on my job representing you, the people of West Lancashire, while I continue to receive oral chemotherapy treatment.”
The Labour MP was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
She was then diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in January last year.
Ashley Dalton. Credit: PA
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Ashley said: “Last month I had the privilege of introducing the Government’s national cancer plan to parliament.
“As a woman living with and receiving treatment for static breast cancer being trusted with writing this plan has been an immense honour.
“The national Council plan won’t only say 320,000 lives over its lifetime, it will help people living with cancer to live well, and to work well.
“As I was stood at the dispatch box speaking about the difference this work will make the lives of people like me up and down the country, I reflected on what living and working well means for myself.
“Your government has committed to making sure that people with long-term health conditions are supported and unable to return to or continue to work where they can.
“It is also so important that we recognise the value of all of us to contribute and participate and that we stop writing people off due to health or disability.
“My constituents deserve a member of parliament to represent them with diligence and conviction whilst my oral chemotherapy treatment will not stop me from being that champion for West Lancashire, I believe now is the right time to make the reasonable adjustments.
“I need to both manage my condition and focus on being a constituency MP by stepping back from ministerial duties.”
Ashley Dalton Statement to the Prime Minister Credit: X: @AshleyDalton_MP
She continued: “I will be forever grateful for the confidence you have shown me, inviting me to bring my experience into government people living with cancer know that the government placed cancer patient patients at the heart of the national council plan because you put a cancer patient at the head of the plan.
“It is with great pride that I also led the HIV action plan and the men’s health strategy which we have launched during my time at the department of health and social care these three landmark plans we have delivered in the past 12 months will be transformational for people across Country.
“I returned to the back benches committed to being a powerful voice in Westminster for my constituents.
“I will continue to work towards improving health outcomes for people living with cancer and support your leadership on the Government agenda to bring about the change the country trusted us to deliver.”
