Pallavi Devulapalli, prospective parliamentary candidate for South West Norfolk, hails from Hyderabad, India. She moved to the UK after completing her medicalstudies to pursue postgraduate education and explore her passion for travel. Over the years, Pallavi settled in Southwest Norfolk, where she has been a dedicated GP for the past 19 years. In 2023, she embarked on her political journey as a councillor for KL&WNBC, driven by her deep-seated environmental advocacy, which led her to align with the Green Party.
In an interview with Asian Voice, she discussed plans to enhance healthcare services in South West Norfolk, tackle environmental issues, and more.
1) If elected as the MP for South West Norfolk, what would be your immediate top priorities, and how do you plan to address them effectively?
As MP for Southwest Norfolk, my priorities include tackling the severe dentist shortage and fighting for fair pay for NHS doctors and nurses. These efforts will directly benefit residents by improving access to dental and healthcare services, enhancing quality of life, and boosting economic productivity. I will also champion local businesses, advocate for nationalising water companies to solve sewage problems, and support farmers with clearer regulations and sustainable practices. Promoting small-scale renewable energy projects and improving public transport are crucial for economic growth and community well-being. I believe in collaborative, issue-focused leadership across party lines for the betterment of Southwest Norfolk.
2) As a GP, you have firsthand experience with the NHS. What specific measures would you advocate for to improve healthcare services in South West Norfolk?
As a GP with NHS experience, I see it in critical condition. Immediate funding is crucial for restoration. Ending junior doctors' strikes and increasing pay for nurses and midwives are urgent priorities. We have 120,000 vacancies in the NHS currently and the funding squeeze means quite a few of these vacancies are not even being advertised to be filled. This has got to change. We spend between 20 and 30% less than France and Germany on healthcare so it’s quite obvious to see why the NHS is suffering as much as it is. However, pay is not the only thing and the lack of respect shown to doctors and nurses is hurting them immensely. I would ensure that we actually talk to them meaningfully to see what steps we need to take to ensure that they have a satisfying career within the NHS. We need a learning culture, not a blaming one, in the NHS to raise quality standards. Active and responsive governance is essential. NHS dental care is almost non-existent due to an outdated contract forcing dentists into the private sector. I'll push for contract reforms to enable dentists to practise under the NHS, benefiting public health, the economy, and long-term NHS savings.
3) How do you plan to address environmental concerns specific to South West Norfolk, such as agricultural sustainability and flood risk management?
Environmental concerns and flood risk management are top priorities for me. Recent rains, including unseasonal ones, exposed vulnerabilities in our drainage and sewage systems. Homes and gardens have been flooded within 24 hours of rainfall, yet affected residents receive little support from authorities passing responsibility back and forth. As MP I will commission a report into the environmental risks to Southwest Norfolk resulting from climate change which will bring with it erratic rainfall and unseasonal hot summers and unpredictable winters. I feel that our leaders must use the resources in their power to help the population tackle these very real and live issues. In addressing agricultural sustainability, simplifying regulations is crucial. Farmers need streamlined access to subsidies to effectively enhance their land. Rapid soil degradation, leading to loss of organic matter and resulting in lifeless soil resembling sand, underscores the urgent need for organic enrichment and sustainable farming practices. The soil association is a good source of information for this and there is also great interest nowadays in festivals like groundswell. I will talk to farmers from the NFU to the Soil Association and come up with a sensible plan to help farmers restore the soil so that we become sustainable andabundant food growing region again.
4) Liz Truss has held the position of MP since 2010. What do you think are the key areas where you differ from her in terms of policy and vision?
Liz Truss has been our MP since 2010, but we've witnessed a decline in almost everything in Southwest Norfolk: from access to dental and healthcare services, to local infrastructure, public transport, and environmental quality. She authored a book advocating for NHS privatisation and supports private ownership of public goods like railways and water. She has overseen a complete neglect of the environmental agency whose funding dropped dramatically while she was the environment secretary. She has been promoting conspiracy theories involving far-right activists in America and the UK. My vision is clear: everyone deserves access to healthcare, clean water, clean air, and quality education. I advocate for better care for disabled individuals and improved public transport access for all. I envision a Southwest Norfolk—and a world—where collaboration and mutual strengths create a harmonious and thriving community.
5) Is there anything else you would like to share with the voters of South West Norfolk?
To the people of Southwest Norfolk: Be brave and vote with your hearts. I've seen firsthand how my speeches have inspired and motivated people at hustings and on the streets. I have been called a brilliant speaker and have been told many times how people changed their mind after hearing me speak , that they would vote for me. The main thing that stops people voting Green is fear that it will end up putting Liz Truss back in power. My message to them would be that the election outcome is so uncertain it would be best if they voted for the policies that they believed in and for the person that they believe in. It will send a strong signal to both Conservatives and Labour that they are not addressing people's concerns and that they need to work harder to gain their votes. If enough people do so I believe that I will be elected as the MP. I am hard-working and sincere, and I’m not beholden to any financial companies or rich donors. I am free to act in the interest of my constituents and as a green MP, I’m not subject to the party whip either. It will be a great honour and privilege to be elected MP4 Southwest Norfolk, and I’m genuinely excited at the prospect.
