Junior doctors vote to reject new contract proposal

Junior doctors have voted against accepting their latest contract offer, developed as a compromise between the government and the British Medical Association (BMA).

The ongoing contract dispute saw doctors take to the picket lines on five occasions before a fresh round of negotiations was held, leading to the most recent contract offer being produced. 68 percent of eligible junior doctors and medical students voted on the measure.

At the final count, 58 percent voted to reject the terms and conditions, compared to only 42 percent accepting them. BMA junior doctors committee chair Johann Malawana said the rejection is indicative of the degree to which trust between doctors and the government has broken down.

Although many accepted the new contract represented an improved offer, others had reservations about what it would mean for their working lives, while many continued to harbour anger towards the government's handling of this dispute.

Following the vote, Dr Malawana – who had supported the contract – has resigned from his post, saying his position is now untenable. Discussions are already taking place over a new leader.

He said: "The government must now do the right thing, accept the outcome of this vote and work constructively with the BMA to address junior doctors' concerns with the new contract."