Political Neutrality Policy

1. Institutional neutrality

The Association does not endorse or oppose political parties, candidates or electoral campaigns. Association funds, mailing lists, official channels, logos, events and authority must not be used for party-political campaigning unless required for a clearly lawful and formally authorised organisational purpose.

Neutrality does not mean silence about matters directly affecting professional standards, public protection, lawful practice, equality, safeguarding, education or the interests of members. When the Association comments on such matters, it will do so on the basis of its objects, evidence and professional responsibilities rather than party loyalty.

2. Members’ personal expression

Members remain free to hold, discuss and lawfully advocate political, religious and social views in a personal capacity. Membership must not be refused, restricted or disciplined merely because a person expresses a lawful view that others dislike or dispute. Robust disagreement is compatible with membership.

Personal expression must not be represented as an official Association, British Board or IEMT position. Members should make the distinction clear where their professional status is prominent or confusion is reasonably foreseeable.

3. Professional boundaries

• Do not pressure clients, trainees, supervisees or members to adopt a political position.
• Do not make access to a professional service, assessment, certification or membership dependent on political agreement, except where a lawful professional standard is genuinely engaged.
• Do not use professional authority to demean, harass or discriminate unlawfully against a person because of actual or perceived beliefs or affiliations.
• Do not present political assumptions as clinical facts, diagnoses or explanations of a client’s difficulties.
• Keep session focus, consent, confidentiality and the client’s own goals central.

4. Official communications

Statements made in the Association’s name require appropriate authority. Official communications should be accurate, proportionate and relevant to the Association’s purposes. Consultation with affected members or specialist advice may be appropriate where a public position has significant consequences.

Office-holders, trainers, committee members and volunteers must take particular care not to imply that personal campaigning is endorsed by the Association. Association branding must not be placed on party-political material.

5. Equality, inclusion and lawful speech

This policy does not excuse harassment, threats, unlawful discrimination, safeguarding failures or breaches of professional confidentiality. Equally, disagreement with a viewpoint is not automatically harassment or misconduct. Decisions must consider the actual words, context, professional relationship, impact, relevant law and evidence, rather than political labels alone.

6. Research, teaching and debate

Training and professional discussion may examine policy, culture, power, identity and contested ideas where relevant. Teaching should distinguish evidence, interpretation and opinion; allow respectful questioning; avoid compelled political agreement; and remain consistent with course outcomes, safety and professional conduct.

7. Conflicts and political activity

Anyone making or influencing an Association decision must disclose a political role, campaign relationship or other interest that could reasonably be seen as affecting impartiality. The conflict should be recorded and managed through recusal, independent review or another proportionate safeguard.

8. Concerns and fair process

Concerns about official neutrality, misuse of branding or professional conduct may be raised through the Member Grievance Policy or Complaints process, depending on who is affected. No sanction follows merely from accusation or controversy. Any disciplinary finding must use the Membership Disciplinary Policy, with evidence, conflict safeguards and appeal rights.

This policy should be read with the Standards of Competence, Scope of Practice Policy and Data Protection and Online Privacy Policy.

Policy owner: The Association for IEMT Practitioners Ltd. Review following material legal, regulatory or operational change, and otherwise at least every two years.