From Mr W. D. Emmett, MRPharmS
SIR,-In the days when being a pharmacist did not contravene the Trade Descriptions Act ("pharmacy: preparation and dispensing of drugs"), the Society had a simple, straightfordward way of electing Council members. I put an "X" against the names of those candidates whom I would like to see on the Council; other names I ignored.
However, the Council, coming under the influence of some crackpot organisation, introduced an incomprehensible Mickey Mouse system that I do not understand but under which it appears to me that my single transferable vote may end up supporting someone I would not wish to see on the Council under any circumstances.
However, being democratic, some years later the Council, heeding the murmurings of the membership, held a referendum wherein more members voted against the system than for it. Not liking the result, the Council ignored the wishes of the majority.
I have been paying membership fees for not far off 50 years; for half that time I have been disenfranchised. The majority is not silent; the Council is deaf.
W. D. Emmett
Poole, Dorset