Tory MP calls for NHS to use astrology to treat patients and take pressure off doctors

David Tredinnick said those who criticise the discipline had 'simply not studied the subject'

Ian Johnston
Wednesday 25 February 2015 00:22 GMT
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Tory MP for Bosworth, David Tredinnick
Tory MP for Bosworth, David Tredinnick

Conservative MP David Tredinnick has called for the NHS to use astrology to help treat patients.

Speaking to the Astrological Journal, the Bosworth MP dismissed critics of astrology – such as physicist and TV presenter Professor Brian Cox – saying they had “simply not studied the subject”.

“I do believe that astrology and complementary medicine would help take the huge pressure off doctors. Astrology is a useful diagnostic tool enabling us to see strengths and weaknesses via the birth chart,” he said.

“Astrology offers self-understanding to people. People who oppose what I say are usually bullies who have never studied astrology. They never look at it. They are absolutely dismissive. Astrology may not be capable of passing double-blind tests but it is based on thousands of years of observation.

"Astrology was until modern times part of the tradition of medicine. I think it is a great pity that so many scientists today are dismissive of right-side brain energy, such as intuition. People such as Professor Brian Cox, who called astrology 'rubbish', have simply not studied the subject.”

He noted that the BBC was “quite dismissive of astrology”, saying it “seeks to promote the science perspective”.

Mr Tredinnick, a Capricorn, said opposition to astrology was based on “superstition, ignorance, and prejudice” and claimed it was also “racially prejudiced”.

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