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Political Illiteracy and Institutionalised Apathy
- Anna-May Long (18 May 2007)
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Now just hold on there a gosh darned cotton-picking minute young feller!
- Steven Ford (19 May 2007)
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Swallows and Summers
- Brian Morgan (21 May 2007)
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Anna-May Long, Trust Grade Registrar in Paediatric Surgery Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital M27 4HA
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I agree with David Hunter’s sentiments that the majority of doctors do not take an active enough interest in politics and this may be ultimately responsible for recent devastating blows to the profession such as MTAS and MMC. I would, however, attribute this, not only to illiteracy but also to an unhealthy dose of apathy. I believe apathy, as well as the natural unwillingness of juniors to protest to changes around them due to the fact that potential referees might notice, have been a major stumbling block to those trying to mobilise resistance to the new system. I am as guilty as anyone. Despite being eligible for over ten years I am ashamed to say that have never voted in a general election. Voting, much like getting to the bank, seeing my own GP, taking my car to the garage and other activities of daily living that people in alternative careers seem to manage during the working week, is not something I have been able to get away from work to do. This is compounded by the fact that, as junior doctor I have changed addresses more times than most non- medical people do in a lifetime and have never dedicated time to arranging a postal vote. I know I am not alone. Competing interests: None declared |
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Steven Ford, GP Haydon & Allen Valleys Medical Practice
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Sir We know it for an established fact that medical practitioners standing on an Independent health ticket can be successful in getting elected to parliament - not once but twice! Dr. Richard Taylor MP has blazed a trail that we should all aspire to follow. Whilst Tudor-Hart's irritation that medics are not more politically active mirrors my own thoughts, he offers the thought that the newer members of the profession may be less reticent than their forebears - I hope so. From personal communications, as well as items in the professional press, I know that a handful of others are of similar mind to myself and intend to stand at the next general election. Others have reinforced my own conviction that single issue candidacy is fraught with peril. My own platform will be 'Environment and Health' - two issues that many hold to be of especial importance. A recurrent theme of some my correspondents has been the supposition that an election campaign would have to be co-ordinated 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 were able to form an effective parliamentary bloc. Imagine the general pant wetting that would occur in those corrupt, self-regarding, self-perpetuating, vainglorious failures that we all laughingly refer to as the major parties, if every constituency had an independent health candidate. You never know - we might win! Aux armes citoyens! Steven Ford Competing interests: I am taking steps to stand at the next general election |
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Brian Morgan, Freelance Journalist Cardiff CF11 6LF
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I have not yet been able to read the full original article, but would just like to say the minister for health and social services in Wales is a GP, Dr Brian Gibbons, with whom I have had much contact as a journalist from the time he was a Westminster MP. I have found him to be most approachable and willing to discuss constituents' concerns with me and more structural matters too. I know one swallow does not make a summer, but this one certainly helps. Competing interests: None declared |
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