Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Political badges should be banned from NHS uniforms

787 replies

Ihatetomatoes · 04/06/2026 08:28

New report says political badges such as Pro Palestine shouldn't be worn on NHS uniforms. It's led to increased antisemitism and fear amongst Jewish patients.

Also NHS uniforms not to be worn on protests.

This report makes a number of suggestions and in my opinion must be implemented. All political badges off NHS uniforms. No NHS uniforms on protests such as pro Palestine. It contributes to racism and fear.

The NHS should treat all patients equally and individuals political opinions shouldn't be pinned on their uniforms.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:51

Anarchy99 · 04/06/2026 12:47

And if they don’t engage in the first place because of previous experience? They can’t make a complaint if they are dead.

Do you think someone’s right to express their political views in a non relevant professional situation trumps others rights to see a medical professional?

If so, I would suggest you wear a badge to that effect. It’s easy to get so caught up in virtue signalling that you ignore the consequences.

Nobody is stopping anyone seeing medical professionals.

I just am not going to undermine workplaces' right to decide what is reasonable alongside all stakeholders and using existing procedures.

A nation where some people allegedly cower and cringe while others snarl on their behalf is an ugly thing.

Anarchy99 · 04/06/2026 12:50

What about badges indicating the person is adept in sign language? I’m sure deaf people have been locked up in the past so perhaps we should remove that option.

The issue is that people who fall over themselves to be accepting and tolerant are usually only that way to people who agree with their views

TheKeatingFive · 04/06/2026 12:50

@ChipswithMayonnaise has painted themselves into a totally ludicrous corner, but can't give it up

TheKeatingFive · 04/06/2026 12:49

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:45

I am always surprised when English people do not know the history of the other nations in Britain.

It is not a derail. It is about wearing badges and what they mean, and persecuted minorities.

I'm not English.

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:49

loislovesstewie · 04/06/2026 12:47

How do you know who is English on mumsnet?

Same way as posters assume I am young and not Jewish?

Anarchy99 · 04/06/2026 12:48

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:47

Look for more examples of Welsh language activism if you like. This is just one

I’m assuming you are just arguing for the sake of this now.

It’s lovely you are so inclusive that you have no issue with the consequences of this on others.

TheKeatingFive · 04/06/2026 12:48

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:45

I am always surprised when English people do not know the history of the other nations in Britain.

It is not a derail. It is about wearing badges and what they mean, and persecuted minorities.

Of course it's a derail.

Can you not tell the difference between a badge that says 'i speak welsh' and a badge that indicates a political or ideological position?

Saying you speak Welsh is not a political take, it's a statement of a fact that can be relevant to patient's needs/

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:48

ToWhitToWhoo · 04/06/2026 12:38

Disability lanyards are not about ideology, though, are they? I thought they were about indicating a possible physical need, e.g. for a seat on the tube.

Disability is extremely politicised.

War also makes a lot of people disabled, so I can understand health workers protesting war.

loislovesstewie · 04/06/2026 12:48

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:47

Look for more examples of Welsh language activism if you like. This is just one

Like burning holiday cottages?

Anarchy99 · 04/06/2026 12:47

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:44

Then they deal with it in house after patients make complaints using existing mechanisms.

Running around getting angry on imaginary victims' behalf is dominant behaviour.

And if they don’t engage in the first place because of previous experience? They can’t make a complaint if they are dead.

Do you think someone’s right to express their political views in a non relevant professional situation trumps others rights to see a medical professional?

If so, I would suggest you wear a badge to that effect. It’s easy to get so caught up in virtue signalling that you ignore the consequences.

loislovesstewie · 04/06/2026 12:47

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:45

I am always surprised when English people do not know the history of the other nations in Britain.

It is not a derail. It is about wearing badges and what they mean, and persecuted minorities.

How do you know who is English on mumsnet?

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:47

loislovesstewie · 04/06/2026 12:46

He was jailed for painting over road signs for crying out loud, not for speaking Welsh.

Look for more examples of Welsh language activism if you like. This is just one

godmum56 · 04/06/2026 12:46

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:42

he can't say anything. He died in 2016.

loislovesstewie · 04/06/2026 12:46

He was jailed for painting over road signs for crying out loud, not for speaking Welsh.

MrsShawnHatosy · 04/06/2026 12:46

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 04/06/2026 12:41

Utter rubbish.

No it’s not. Some people, wrongly, see the Welsh language as divisive and elitist. In fact that is the premier reason Reform are now the official opposition in Wales.

TheKeatingFive · 04/06/2026 12:46

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:44

Then they deal with it in house after patients make complaints using existing mechanisms.

Running around getting angry on imaginary victims' behalf is dominant behaviour.

Why on earth would you priortise staff's needs to broadcast their offensive (or otherwise) opinions over patient care?

Do you not understand why we fund the NHS? What it's for?

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:45

TheKeatingFive · 04/06/2026 12:41

When was the last person jailed for simply speaking Welsh?

This has all the hallmarks of a totally pointless derail.

I am always surprised when English people do not know the history of the other nations in Britain.

It is not a derail. It is about wearing badges and what they mean, and persecuted minorities.

Anarchy99 · 04/06/2026 12:44

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:40

It is political. Welsh language activists have been jailed, well into 21st century. There is also a tradition of sometimes violent resistance.

I love the UK's indigenous languages btw.

Okay, you are really stretching. 😬

You know that there is a difference between information and opinion, right?

The poster is indicating that he/she speaks Welsh so that Welsh speaking people are aware.

It is not a political opinion.

SwatTheTwit · 04/06/2026 12:44

Ihatetomatoes · 04/06/2026 08:33

To people who think political badges should be worn, why do you think so?

I don’t think they should be worn, but why stop at political expression? Maybe religious symbols should go next.

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:44

TheKeatingFive · 04/06/2026 12:41

And if it's very upsetting for patients? What then?

Then they deal with it in house after patients make complaints using existing mechanisms.

Running around getting angry on imaginary victims' behalf is dominant behaviour.

loislovesstewie · 04/06/2026 12:42

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:38

Because the workers work as a team in their workplace.

I assume they have decision making processes, perhaps more robust than a simple majority. I can't make shit up about what those are. And I am not a journo to go investigating it right now.

I respect their right to determine their working conditions.

Everyone is not everyone else's police.

It's not their working conditions though. It's expressing a political viewpoint which may well be controversial and cause customers/patients anxiety. The wellbeing of those who are unwell and are using the NHS is more important than virtue signaling by staff.

TheKeatingFive · 04/06/2026 12:41

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:38

Because the workers work as a team in their workplace.

I assume they have decision making processes, perhaps more robust than a simple majority. I can't make shit up about what those are. And I am not a journo to go investigating it right now.

I respect their right to determine their working conditions.

Everyone is not everyone else's police.

And if it's very upsetting for patients? What then?

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 04/06/2026 12:41

MrsShawnHatosy · 04/06/2026 12:39

It can be for some people, that’s why I was asking the question.

Utter rubbish.

TheKeatingFive · 04/06/2026 12:41

ChipswithMayonnaise · 04/06/2026 12:40

It is political. Welsh language activists have been jailed, well into 21st century. There is also a tradition of sometimes violent resistance.

I love the UK's indigenous languages btw.

When was the last person jailed for simply speaking Welsh?

This has all the hallmarks of a totally pointless derail.