BMJ  2007;334:1128 (2 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.39226.420220.3A

Letters

Political illiteracy

Many, but not all

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

While doctors' current lack of political activity irritates Tudor-Hart, he wonders whether newer members of the profession may be less reticent than their forebears.1

I hope so: a handful of us intend to stand at the next general election. We know that medical practitioners standing on an independent health ticket can be successful in getting elected to parliament—not once but twice in Dr Richard Taylor's case.

A recurrent theme of some my correspondents has been the supposition that an election campaign would have to be coordinated by the BMA or the LMCs, but I question that. A loose confederacy of independents would be far harder for existing politicians to combat and would introduce a long overdue diversity and excitement into national politics. Rudolph Virchow would be proud of us if we formed an effective parliamentary bloc.

Imagine if every constituency had an independent health candidate. You never know—we might win.

Steven Ford, general practitioner

Haydon and Allen Valleys Medical Practice, Hexham, Northumberland NE47 6HG

doctor.ford@virgin.net

. . . [Full text of this article]


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Why are so many doctors politically illiterate?
David J Hunter
BMJ 2007 334: 1007. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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