In a bold policy announcement, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has pledged to introduce a full ban on NHS doctors’ strikes if her party returns to power. The proposal would place doctors under the same legal restrictions as police officers and members of the armed forces, barring them from engaging in widespread industrial action.
Badenoch stated that the Conservatives would pass new legislation enforcing minimum service levels across the health sector. This move would extend a law passed by the previous government, which introduced minimum standards in other sectors but stopped short of fully applying them to doctors. The policy is framed as a “common sense” approach to protect both patient safety and public finances.
BMA Demands and Government Response
The British Medical Association (BMA) argues that real-terms pay for resident doctors—formerly known as junior doctors—has fallen by nearly 26% since 2008 after adjusting for inflation. Despite a 5.4% pay rise this year and a 22% increase over the past two years, the union says more is needed to restore fair wages.
Thousands of resident doctors launched a five-day strike on Friday after talks with the government failed to produce a resolution. Badenoch criticized the BMA, calling it increasingly “militant,” and emphasized that the government had already offered a generous pay deal.
Disruption and NHS Measures
Health Secretary Wes Streeting vowed not to let the BMA “hold the country to ransom” and instructed hospitals to cancel non-urgent procedures only when absolutely necessary. NHS England reported that over 80% of routine services continued during the strike with senior doctors filling in, though some patients have reported cancellations and delays to scheduled operations.
International Comparisons
The Conservatives claim their proposal would align the UK with countries like Australia and Canada, which impose stricter limits on healthcare strikes. European nations such as Greece, Italy, and Portugal also maintain laws requiring minimum service levels in healthcare.
The BBC has reached out to both the BMA and the Labour Party for comment.
