Former Love Island star and NHS doctor Dr Alex George has launched a stinging critique of the Labour government, accusing it of reneging on a flagship manifesto promise to fund a network of youth mental health support hubs.
A Broken Promise on a "No-Brainer" Policy
Dr George, 34, who served as the unpaid Youth Mental Health Ambassador for the Conservative government from 2021 to 2024, championed the scheme to create community drop-in centres for under-25s. The hubs were designed to offer free counselling, confidential advice, and safe spaces, aiming to provide early intervention and prevent more serious mental health crises.
In a candid interview on Bryony Gordon's The Life of Bryony podcast, the A&E doctor revealed he personally discussed the plans with Sir Keir Starmer several months before the July 2024 election. He said he was encouraged when the policy appeared in Labour's manifesto, believing it was a guaranteed commitment.
"I sat down with Keir Starmer... and we spoke about the youth mental health support hubs. They took the idea and put it in their manifesto. I thought that was brilliant," Dr George stated. "The plan was to fund them - and now that they're in power, they are not funding them."
Funding Withdrawn and Role Terminated
Dr George argued the upfront cost of around £200 million would have been recouped "in spades" by saving the NHS "hundreds and hundreds of millions" in the long term by reducing demand for acute services. He described the policy as a "no-brainer" with cross-party support.
However, he claims the government has since "changed the scheme to something it is not" and failed to allocate the necessary funding. Furthermore, after six months of no contact following the election, he was informed his role as ambassador would not be continued.
"My understanding was that it was a promise and that Labour wanted to continue working with me," he said. "I did not hear from them for six months and then they said, we don't want to continue your role."
Broader Concerns Over Mental Health Policy
The reality TV star, who became a prominent campaigner after his 19-year-old brother Llyr died by suicide in 2020, expressed deep frustration with the political system. "The system does not allow for any sort of change… there are good people that go in wanting to do good things, but the system stops them," he told the podcast.
He also criticised Health Secretary Wes Streeting for focusing on the potential "over-diagnosis" of conditions like ADHD instead of addressing systemic failures. "They are turning on the people that these problems are affecting," Dr George argued, pointing out that the UK has one of the lowest diagnosis rates in Europe.
Dr George, who recently released a book titled Am I Normal? detailing his grief and his own diagnoses of ADHD and OCD, said he now wants no further part in politics. His primary concern remains the unfulfilled promise of the support hubs. "Everyone wanted it... But did it happen? No. Five years down the line and we still haven't done it."
For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch.
