Healthy Skepticism Library item: 10321

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Ford S.
Political illiteracy: Many, but not all
BMJ 2007 Jun 2; 334:(7604):1128
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/334/7604/1128-c?etoc

Abstract:

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.

Notes:

Comment on:
Why are so many doctors politically illiterate?
David J Hunter
BMJ 2007 334: 1007
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/334/7601/1007