The RCP wants to move forward, become a more modern, forward-looking and inclusive organisation that listens to its members and acts on what you tell us. We want you to help us with this.
We are rightly proud of our long heritage – rooted in the 1518 royal charter and shaped by subsequent acts of parliament and bye-laws – but as the world of medicine is continuously evolving, so must we.
Read the result of our membership survey on constitutional reform earlier this year.
Currently, only RCP fellows are allowed to vote in elections for president, vice presidents and elected members of RCP Council.
We think the next generation of physicians should have a say in who leads them.
That’s why we have set out our proposals for change at the 2025 annual general meeting (AGM) of RCP fellows on 25 September. We encourage you to watch the AGM 2025 video.
RCP fellows in good standing will now be able to vote and decide:
- whether collegiate members should be able to vote in college elections
- whether we should remove restrictions that limit how and when the RCP president is elected.
An independent provider, Civica Election Services, will oversee an online voting process, which will be open from 26 September 2025 until 10 October 2025. Eligible fellows will receive a voting email to take part in the voting.
Following the ballot, we will publish the results.
If supported by fellows, we will introduce voting changes in elections for vice presidents and elected Council members in 2026.
If fellows tell us they want us to explore amendments to the Medical Act 1860 and royal charter (to widen voting rights in elections for the president), we will take this decision to RCP Council and the Board of Trustees to decide next steps.
The outcome of this ballot will apply only to voting in RCP elections. Other privileges of fellowship will not be affected, including voting in AGM and EGM, and eligibility for college leadership roles.
This is your college. It’s time to have your say.
If you have any queries regarding the constitutional vote please email us at membershipqueries@rcp.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)151 318 1979, 0151 318 2187 or +44 (0)203 075 1362.