Leader of UK Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch Calls for Ban on Doctors’ Strikes 

Summary: Kemi Badenoch has called for a ban on doctors’ strikes and the reintroduction of minimum service levels in the NHS amid ongoing industrial action and a pay dispute with the British Medical Association.

Leader of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has called for a ban on strike action by doctors, following renewed industrial action within the National Health Service (NHS).

Her comments come after resident doctors began their 15th strike since 2023 on April 7, 2026, while members of the British Medical Association (BMA) commenced a separate 48-hour walkout on April 6 as part of an ongoing dispute over pay. 

In a statement shared on X and in an article published in the Daily Mail, Kemi criticised the BMA, accusing the union of prioritising its interests over patient care.

“I will ban resident doctors and consultants from going on strike – as we already do for the police and Armed Forces,” she said, adding that such measures are necessary to ensure consistent healthcare delivery.

Kemi Badenoch also proposed reintroducing minimum service levels across the NHS to ensure essential services remain available during industrial action. She described the proposed policy as not anti-doctor, but pro-patient, citing concerns over the impact of repeated strikes on healthcare services. According to her, ongoing industrial action has resulted in significant disruption, including the cancellation of appointments and medical procedures.

The Conservative leader further accused the Labour government, led by Keir Starmer, of failing to address the dispute effectively, arguing that its approach has strengthened union influence within the sector. The ongoing dispute between the government and healthcare workers continues to place pressure on the NHS, with broader concerns about funding, staffing, and service delivery remaining unresolved.