Kemi Badenoch To NHS Staff: Strike Again And You’ll Face The Law Under My Rule

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK Conservative Party, has pledged to outlaw doctors’ strikes if her party remains in power.

Announcing her intentions today, Badenoch stated she would push for legal changes to prohibit such industrial actions, claiming that the British Medical Association (BMA) has become “out of control.”

Her remarks follow a wave of 11 strike actions over the past 18 months, which she claimed had led to patient deaths. Speaking during an interview on GB News amid an ongoing five-day strike by junior doctors demanding better pay, she expressed deep concern.

Calling on Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to take a similar stance, Badenoch said:

“The BMA has adopted a militant posture. These strikes have gone too far, and decisive action is needed.”

She added that while doctors perform vital work and medicine is a noble calling, the government must balance support for healthcare workers with protecting taxpayers.

“These strikes not only burden the economy, they also cause surgery cancellations, increase anxiety for families, and bring unnecessary suffering to patients,” she said. “Previous strikes have tragically resulted in loss of life.”

Badenoch concluded by stating that the Conservative Party would take firm steps to defend public health services and finances, offering to collaborate with the government to confront the BMA and safeguard the NHS.

Under the current 1992 Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act, professions such as police officers, military personnel, and prison staff are barred from striking. The Conservatives plan to expand this restriction to include doctors.