ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to define the political nurse, examine ideas about politics and party politics, as well as internal professional politics. It focuses on the history of nursing and politics, tied in as it is with union politics, and assess the future political context in which nursing is likely to function. The chapter examines the media’s perception of nursing in parallel with the deference extended and numerous platforms offered to the medical profession. In addition, experience of campaigning against National Health Service reforms, which were perceived by many as being ‘too little, too late’ will be touched on, and a blueprint offered for planning future action locally or nationally. Political confidence and authority must be derived not only from a familiarity with health care issues and power differentials, but an understanding of structures within which practitioners operate. Nursing and midwifery education has not been immune from constant political upheavals that have been a feature of life in the health service.
