Sir Peter Viggers, as the local MP, was consistent in his defence of Gosport War Memorial Hospital, having told the House of Commons that he was part of a campaign to keep it open.
Sir Peter was also consistent in not supporting his constituents in pressing for further investigations. His questions in Parliament concerned when existing investigations would be published, and their cost, rather than raising concerns expressed by his constituents.
At the General Election in May 2010, Caroline Dinenage was elected as MP for Gosport. On 7 September 2010, the front page of the Portsmouth News reported: “MP backs calls for hospital deaths inquiry”. Caroline Dinenage was said to want an official probe to find out what happened at the hospital. Iain Wilson, a bereaved family member, was reported as saying: “We used to have an MP who said he wouldn’t help and now we’ve got an MP saying she will help in any way she can. I think having the constituency MP on board could really change things. It’s given me new hope.”