Political letter from my gp telling who to vote for

[FluffyJellyCat]

Is this even allowed? The gp isn't wrong in what he is saying. But how did he get my personal data to write to me? It's a proper letter addressed to me at my address. Could he access my data for a local election?

Conflict of interest? Gdpr? I'm not going to complain because I have enought going on in my life. But surely this isn't allowed?

What next? The schools head telling me who to vote for?

I would complain about this and point out that you go to the GP for medical advise rather than political advise.

Is that not the point though? All candidates will be telling people who to vote and there will be people backing them that will be doing the same. Your last paragraph makes you look a bit daft. Are you very young and new to voting or something?

Use of the electoral register:

1. Registered political parties, candidates and campaigners are entitled to receive copies of the full electoral register which includes eligible voters’ names and addresses.
2. They are also entitled to access the “marked register”, which enables identification of individuals who have voted in previous elections and referendums, but not how they have voted.
3. Access to this information is important for promoting political participation. Its use can be compatible with data protection law, which must still be complied with.

Much political campaigning makes use of the names and addresses held on the electoral register. Access to this information is important. It helps you to convey your messages to voters - furthering political debate and promoting democratic participation.

https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/direct-marketing-and-privacy-and-electronic-communications/guidance-for-the-use-of-personal-data-in-political-campaigning-1/use-of-the-electoral-register/#canweuse1

Then there was a Tory candidate who printed their publicity material using red instead of blue, and didn't name the party at all, to make people think he was Labour!

Several years ago, my doctor visited his patients to ask us to vote for him - he was standing as the Conservative candidate.

Very few of us did, but we received him with courtesy, nevertheless.
Doctors are human beings with their own political views.

Opinion polls are less democratic than allowing a doctor to endorse a candidate.

This.

It is understandable really. The NHS and education has been poorly funded for too long. Head teachers and doctors are telling us that.

It's time to believe it.

What next? The schools head telling me who to vote for?
The headteacher at our school did actually email parents at the time of the last GE. Whilst they didn’t specifically ask parents to vote for a certain party, they did outline all the ways that schools are struggling and asked parents to bear this in mind when they vote.
Personally I think it’s a good thing that people on the frontline of dealing with chronic underfunding in health and education are trying to make the public aware of just how big a problem it is.

Actually I think that the BMJ would say no they have to be very careful in expressing their political views but this isn’t what is happening

A GP is actively instructing a patient who to vote for

I’d be complaining to the BMA and the ICO. They can only process your data for medical reasons, not any other. I don’t care who they told you to vote for, it’s just so wrong on so many levels.

Given the waste I have seen in the NHS I think no amount of money would save it

What ever you gave it would just be used to invent more ways to waste it

RCGP, BMA, RCS England host loads of Q&As with candidates, issue statements about each party's manifestos, are pretty vocal about who they back (based on member votes and surveys), issue advocacy guides for their members (ie GPs) to campaign and reach out, etc. Essentially the industry has / these bodies have a majority consensus on what would be best for the NHS.

Fair enough IMO. Even civil servants are allowed to campaign for parties – only those in vv high ranking (not mid or even high ranking) policy roles tend to be "political restricted".

My 17 year old DD has had several letters addressed to her, from one of our local candidates, she's not even old enough to vote!

What does neutral and non neutral treatment look like? 🤔

I think you should complain.

Vulnerable patients whose political leanings are in a different direction could feel alienated from their healthcare provider and less likely to seek medical aid when needed. That's a problem in my view.

What next? The schools head telling me who to vote for?

Independent schools are telling parents the consequences of voting a certain way. Not sure what the problem is.

Schools or doctors outlining issues that people should consider when voting is one thing, even encouraging them to vote is great but endorsing a particular party is a step too far IMO.

The BMJ are a medical journal and not what you're thinking of likely, but anyway there are plenty of strongly worded articles in the BMJ about the upcoming election and various parties' manifestos!

As a medical professional I find this very uncomfortable. It’s one thing to campaign for a political party on the weekends, be seen in public speaking out about issues etc. but approaching patients as individuals (I appreciate that this was likely done through the party using the ‘correct channels’ rather than using patient details) could be considered coercion.

I’m pretty sure my employing trust have rules about this. I feel like a rebel just co-ordinating my socks and a ribbon in my hair with my vote 😂

None of the 3 main parties are anti capitalist. Cons will do the least to soften some of the negative effects. There are positive effects of capitalism too of course.

Yes, an academy.

Almost certainly this - which is fine. Look at the leaflet/letter for an imprint!

The following is very useful! https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/political-registration-and-regulation/imprints

Hang on, are you saying that no public facing healthcare staff (I am guessing you think the dame about teachers as well?)should be able to run for public office?

I'm awfully old but still can't quite see myself shuffling off to the polling station muttering 'now who was it that nice doctor said I have to vote for? I expect it was dear old Maggie T'