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‘Hundreds’ quit BMA over pensions action

‘Hundreds’ of BMA members left the organisation after it suspended industrial action in June, but ‘many more’ were recruited, the association’s chair has told Pulse.

In an exclusive interview, Dr Mark Porter, a consultant in Coventry, said the high-profile industrial action had prompted considerable turnover in the BMA’s membership.

The association took industrial action in June this year following a ballot of members, but suspended further action after arguing that ‘only escalated action’ would prompt a rethink by ministers.

Dr Porter said: ‘I’ve had personally a number of contacts from members who have resigned from the organisation after we suspended our industrial action. They expressed their opinion that we should have gone further, harder and some suggested all-out strike.’

But he added that the loss of ranks had been ‘greatly offset’ by ‘a few thousand’ new recruits.

Click here to watch the Big Interview with Dr Mark Porter