A general election has been called for Thursday 4 July. Find out how to influence your local parliamentary candidates by telling them why physiotherapy matters, and ensure you know the new rules around voting.
Make the case for physiotherapy and rehab
Health will be a key topic of conversation during the election, so this is an ideal opportunity to make the case for physiotherapy and rehabilitation to the people who want to represent us.
We have developed an election toolkit to help you prepare to vote on the day or by post, and if you have the opportunity, to question candidates about how they will improve access to physiotherapy and rehabilitation services.
General election blogs
Read more about what the CSP is asking of the next government in our series of election blogs.
What is the CSP asking of the new government?
- Transform rehabilitation to improve quality of life for patients, reduce pressure on the most costly areas of health and social care, and help to address the growing number of people who are unable to work.
- Address workforce shortages. We can’t transform rehabilitation without an expanded profession from apprentices through to consultants.
- Fair pay. Without fair pay and more flexible working, the NHS will struggle to attract and retain people.
Why should I contact candidates standing to be an MP in my area?
An MP's job is to represent their constituents, and that includes healthcare workers. During a general election, candidates pay particular attention to what’s important to people living or working in their constituency. After all, they need your vote!
If you let parliamentary candidates know about the issues you and your patients face, they are more likely to act if they are elected.
We need your help in constituencies across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to reach out to as many candidates as possible and ask them to commit to becoming a rehab champion if they are elected to parliament. Our rehab champions support the #RightToRehab campaign in parliament, for policy and legislative change including improving access to rehabilitation services and expanding the physiotherapy workforce.
How can I contact my local candidates?
To help you start the conversation with your local parliamentary candidates, use our action network platform to email your local candidates. We have provided a template email.
Feel free to amend the template as much as you like – candidates will be most interested in your personal experiences as a healthcare worker and the experiences of your patients.
We will follow up with our newly elected rehab champions after the election. Please let us know if you receive a response by forwarding it by email to the policy team.
Candidates may also knock at your door, set up a street stall in your local town centre or visit your workplace. Print off our CSP general election asks and use this opportunity to talk to them about your work.
CSP election asks
Frequently asked questions on voting
How do I register to vote?
You can register to vote in the general election until Tuesday 18 June 2024. This can be done online using your National Insurance number.
You do not need to re-register for every election unless you have moved house. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re registered to vote, contact your local electoral office.
British, Irish and most Commonwealth citizens living in the UK are eligible to vote in the general election.
I’m not at home on election day. Can I still vote?
If you can’t vote in person – for example, if your working pattern, place of work or holidays mean you can't easily get to your local polling station, you can register to vote by post until 18 June 2024, either online or by contacting your local electoral office. To register online, you will need your National Insurance number and a copy of your signature.
In some circumstances, you may also be eligible for a proxy vote, which is where you can ask someone to vote on your behalf. For more information, check online or contact your local electoral office.
I am student living away from home. Can I still vote?
If you are a student, you can register to vote at both your home and term-time addresses. You cannot, however, vote twice in the same election – that is a criminal offence. So you should decide whether to vote in your home or university constituency. You can also vote by post. Register online to vote by post until 19 June 2024 or by contacting your local electoral office.
How do I find out where to vote?
Your local polling station will be open on Thursday 4 July 2024 from 7am to 10pm.
You'll get a poll card in the post before the election. This will tell you where the polling station is. If you haven’t received your poll card, contact your local electoral office.
You do not need to take your poll card with you when you vote. You will need to take accepted photographic ID.
I don’t have photographic ID, can I still vote?
The law has changed and you must now take accepted photographic ID to vote.
If you don't have accepted photographic ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document by Wednesday 26 June, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate (in England, Scotland and Wales) or an Electoral Identity Card (in Northern Ireland).