Post your vote for CSP Council elections

Cast your vote

Each time we hold council elections, we are asked ‘Why can’t we vote online’? Unfortunately, the law governing trade union voting remains firmly stuck in the pre-digital era.  Although online democracy has spread rapidly through other spheres of public life, unions are still required to conduct key votes – elections and industrial action ballots – through postal vote alone. 

The process is expensive, time consuming and limits member participation. We understand the frustration with the postal process and continue to lobby the government, through the TUC, for a change in the law. With a general election in the next year, and the possibility of a change in government, the long overdue amendment to the legislation allowing online voting in statutory trade union ballots could become a more realistic prospect. In the meantime, we have to comply and provide access to all our members to vote.

The CSP represents over 65,000 chartered physiotherapists, students and support workers and has worked hard to protect and advance the profession since achieving our Royal Charter over 100 years ago. In recognising all of our past and present colleagues we are asking you to make the effort to return your postal vote in your council elections to ensure your voice is heard. 

How to cast your vote 

From 3 June you will receive a council elections pack; this will include a booklet containing the names of all the candidates and their election address statement as to why they have the attributes and abilities to work on behalf of the profession. You will also receive a ballot paper with instructions for voting and a pre-paid envelope for returning your postal vote. 

Please return your vote before the ballot closes on 1 July.

All members have a key role in voting….

The CSP’s council is no different from any other board. Its main responsibilities include identifying and evaluating significant opportunities and risks, strategic decision-making and assessing the CSP’s performance – including financial performance. 

We need council members who are professional, responsible, and collaborative – and who between them bring diversity of thought and perspective. 

Diversity is important as it ensures the CSP council can:

• consider the same idea in differing ways and therefore avoid group-think.
• have healthy debate which includes embracing differing views and results in a more thoughtful decision-making process.
• be knowledgeable and sensitive to a wider variety of issues facing members.
• be willing and able to confront challenging issues and make difficult decisions.
• challenge itself to keep pace with the changing dynamics facing the profession and be more adaptable in response.

Council exists to serve the best interests of members, so it makes sense that its membership should reflect the full diversity of the CSP members.

It is important that you vote for your preferred candidate and that you do so with diversity in mind. Are there already CSP Council members who are similar to you? If so, challenge yourself to vote for council members who are different.

In making your decisions, think about the members you vote for:

• Are they likely to have diversity of thought from each other and from the existing council members?
• Do they bring different perspectives and experiences and are they quick to learn?
• Are they going to work collaboratively as a team, but also be able to challenge effectively?
• Are they likely to disrupt the status quo?

For more information, or to read the candidate’s addresses online, visit the CSP website.

To make things easier, we will have copies of all the candidate’s election address statements available for members to read on the Council elections 2024 page, along with a video message to members if they choose to provide one.