The doctors standing for election as MPs in 2019

In the coming general election on 12 December, 51 doctors are standing as candidates. Most of them are standing for the Liberal Democrats or the Conservatives, and around nine are expected to win their seats.1

Doctors have been standing for parliament for many years, and nine MPs in the last parliament were doctors. But this election sees more medical candidates than in the previous two, when only around 30 doctors put themselves up for election.

The doctors standing this year have various reasons for running, often stemming from having witnessed their patients’ struggles and thinking that things could be done better. Zahid Chauhan, a GP standing as the Labour candidate for Cheadle, says that his day-to-day experiences of working with the people of Greater Manchester led him into politics.

“The poverty and deep health inequalities I have witnessed over the years of Tory rule made me want to take action,” he says. “I am fortunate to have many of the things my patients don’t and so wanted to be their advocate, and I believe that my leadership qualities and ability to get things done should be used to help others.”

David Nicholl, a consultant neurologist who is standing for the Liberal Democrats in Bromsgrove, became …