Results

The results of the 2022 BMA Council elections have been counted and verified – and 68 members have been elected to represent the profession from June onwards for four years (one vacancy remains, see below).

Our congratulations to those that have been successful – and thanks to the over 220 members that put themselves forward, the highest number of nominees for BMA Council ever.

We are proud to say that the new intake of council members is the most ethnically diverse council in BMA history. Over a third (35%) of those voted in identify as ethnic minority – this compares to 12% for the 2018 intake of council members. 38% of those elected identify as a woman compared to 37.5% of members elected in 2018. With one vacancy remaining in Eastern Region due to insufficient nominations being received to satisfy the gender constraints this figure could rise to 39% in the upcoming by-election to fill this seat. Once the bye-election has run there will be 69 seats filled for BMA Council.

In addition, over a half of the newly elected intake – 55% - are new to BMA Council.

Our thanks also to the wider membership who voted – whilst turnout in 2022 was very similar to 2018 more votes were valid and therefore counted due to a new voting process being introduced for these elections.

For the full list of successful candidates please see below and also read the certified report on the election results produced by Civica, the independent election scrutineer that counted the ballots.

Elected council members 2022 - 2026

Successful candidates

The newly elected members will serve a four-year term for the sessions 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26.

Watch the video

Who can vote

All doctors and medical students who are current and life members (with fees paid up to date). 

Get support from your constituency

Canvassing is an integral part of an election. When canvassing, you should make sure you:

• live by BMA behaviours at all times in the election process
• highlight your strengths and experience
• don’t make negative comments about rival candidates
• don’t put pressure on people to vote for you or ask others to do so
• don’t make promises you can’t keep – you will be held to account in the next round of elections.

Candidates must not use BMA resources to canvass voters, including:

• BMA listservers
• BMA social media accounts
• BMA email addresses
• BMA staff resource.

While canvassing through personal social media accounts and emails is allowed, you must ensure that any communication does not breach any policies of any organisation, forum or group. Your communication must also comply with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations).

If you’re not sure what is acceptable, ask for advice from your committee secretary or the elections team.

A new election model

We have listened to your feedback to make the voting process simpler and also want to ensure that all members have a fair opportunity to stand for election. We are introducing important changes approved by the BMA representative body at the ARM 2021:

• single grid ballot paper - we've implemented a much clearer and streamlined process
• stronger representation at regional level - UK-wide seats have been replaced with seats for our devolved nations and English regions
• fairer representation from ethnic minorities - we've introduced five ethnic minority seats to ensure that our structure reflects the diversity within the medical workforce and student body
• gender constraints have been reinforced - to ensure representational equality for all genders across the constituencies
• better representation model for medical students - meeting their rapidly changing needs.

UK council composition and eligibility criteria

With the changes we have recently implemented, the number of UK council voting members has been increased to 69 (at the point of election). 

Voting members are elected according to the following categories:

• geographical constituency 
• branch of practice 
• ethnic minority.

A gender maxima constraint has been applied to larger constituencies so that not all members elected are of the same gender.

All members are bound by the BMA code of conduct.

Read below how seats are distributed across these categories:

Eligibility

To stand in this election, you must be a BMA member in one of the constituencies and branches of practice listed above.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about UK council or the elections, please email [email protected]