From Brink of Death to Brink of Extinction: Daisy Cooper’s Harrowing Journey and the Lib Dems’ Fight for Survival

Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Daisy Cooper, shares her life-threatening experience

During her speech at the Lib Dem conference, the MP, who suffers from Crohn's disease, described how her weight dropped to merely seven stone, she was losing her eyesight, and her heart rate was dangerously low.

Political correspondent @alixculbertson

Monday, September 16, 2024, 1:

Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Daisy Cooper, disclosed that she was given a prognosis of only four days to live, crediting her survival to the NHS.

Addressing attendees at the party gathering in Brighton, Ms. Cooper revealed for the first time that the Lib Dems were nearly wiped out in 2020.

She expressed that the NHS restored her life, underscoring the party's commitment to revitalizing the health service.

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Ms. Cooper, a sufferer of the autoimmune condition known as Crohn's disease, recounted an incident from 12 years prior when she was urgently admitted to the hospital. At that time, doctors informed her that she would survive only four more days without undergoing

The MP noted that she was only seven stone, suffering from deteriorating vision, a dangerously low heart rate, extensively bruised arms, and was reliant on a feeding tube for nutrition.

"She disclosed to the audience that her distress wasn't caused by the impending significant operation itself, but rather by the comments that followed."

"Even if you make it through this, Daisy, even if you get better, it's likely you won't be able to return to work. Your Crohn's disease is extremely severe, and at best, you might manage to work one day a week, provided the job isn't too demanding.

"You'll probably require surgical procedures approximately every five years. I've included a packet of information on potential benefits you may qualify for."

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Ms. Cooper, aged 42, recounted how she spent 17 continuous hours crying in her bed, overwhelmed by the sensation that her life was collapsing and fearing she might never return to her advocacy work.

She also mentioned, "With any luck, you'll notice the story concludes on a positive note!"

"Like countless others, the NHS not only rescued me from the brink of death but also restored my life, thanks to the dedicated individuals who are the backbone of the service."

She expressed concern about others currently experiencing similar symptoms, questioning whether they are able to secure appointments with their doctors or if they face long delays for medical scans or end up waiting in hospital hallways.

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The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to boost NHS funding, particularly for GP services, in the upcoming autumn budget set to be revealed by the chancellor on October 30.

Earlier this week, Sir Keir Starmer emphasized that the NHS must undergo reforms to qualify for additional funding, as he unveiled a decade-long strategy to overhaul the healthcare system.

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Ms. Cooper shared with attendees at the conference that one of her initial discussions with Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey upon her appointment as his deputy in 2020 centered on the party's near brush with extinction.

"She described it as quite a sobering experience," she remarked.

He told me, "Daisy, it's clear that we have merely 11 MPs. Yet, if you consider the total of our majorities, do you realize how close we are to disappearing? It's 69,664 votes. If we shed even half of those to the Conservatives, we're finished."

She mentioned that the discussion has lingered in her thoughts daily.

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She disclosed that she had kept it a secret from everyone up until now because they preferred to keep their struggles private, particularly after redistricting effectively left them with only eight seats.

"We need eight seats to form a parliamentary group, or else we face extinction," she added.

"Here's an updated figure to consider: our Members of Parliament now serve seven million citizens! It's become so crowded in parliament that it's impossible to make it to the restroom without running into a Liberal Democrat MP!"

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