Mr Hancock – who was appointed secretary of state for health and social care last night (July 9) – has consistently voted to reform the NHS to allow GPs to buy services on behalf of their patients, according to theyworkforyou.com.

Mr Hancock voted for NHS reforms proposed in the 2012 Health and Social Care Bill, including giving more power to "consortia" of GPs to commission health services, strengthening regulator the Care Quality Commission, and abolishing primary care trusts.

The new health secretary also voted in 2012 to remove the 49% “private patient income cap" – the restriction on the amount of income a NHS foundation trust can earn from private charges.

Mr Hancock was among the 305 MPs who voted in favour of cutting pharmacy funding in England, following a parliamentary debate in November 2016. Only one Conservative MP voted against the cuts.

Mr Hancock also campaigned alongside his former boss George Osborne to remain in the European Union.