From Mr W. T. Brookes, FRPharmS
SIR,-You must have experienced, as I have, those occasions when the riposte, the swift response or the put-down phrase comes to mind too late to be used. This happened to me at this year's branch representatives' meeting when I proposed a motion on behalf of my branch that the Council investigate the pros and cons of having some of its members elected on a regional basis (PJ, May 27, p800). Bruce Rhodes made a very effective intervention, opposing the motion essentially on the grounds that such a process reduced the number of candidates for bodies using this process. He cited as an example the Hospital Pharmacists Group committee elections. The motion was lost.
How much Bruce's comments influenced the outcome I do not know. What I do know is that my response was not adequate. And yet there was an effective (I think), albeit simple response which only came to me in the early hours of the next morning. I am putting it on paper (a) to get it out of my system, (b) to set the record straight and (c) as a contribution to the debate on the Council's composition. Here is what I should have said:
"Bruce's contribution, delivered in his inimitable style, was a pleasure to hear. However, in assessing its merits you need to be aware of three aspects of his character.
"First, Bruce is a staunch Methodist, as honest as the day is long. Therefore, when he tells you the Hospital Pharmacists Group struggled on many occasions to find candidates to stand for its committee when there was geographical representation you must believe him. Co-option was used quite frequently and this was one reason why the system was changed to national elections. Bruce's statement is thus correct.
"Second, you should know that Bruce was also a pharmaceutical civil servant who served master and mistress in this building faithfully for many years and it was my pleasure to observe him operate on a number of committees here. And, like all civil servants, he would only reveal as many of the facts as was deemed expedient. To coin a phrase, he could, when required, be ‘economical with the truth'. Today has been no exception. What he did not tell you was that the Hospital Pharmacists Group has struggled to find candidates even though they are now elected on a national basis. This is also the case with other committees, the prime example being the Community Pharmacists Group, which rarely has enough to fill the vacancies. It is not the process of election which deters candidates but other factors such as lack of time or a perception of the value of the committee.
"Third and finally, my old friend is a fisherman - quite a good one too. I have been privileged to sample not only his catches but also some of his stories. What he has done today is use the ‘red herring' technique to divert you from the real issue. Regional elections are proposed not to increase the number of candidates for Council elections. We are suggesting that they will increase the chances of knowing more about candidates locally than what is written in an election address and maybe increase the voting figures at least locally. Bruce's comments are thus irrelevant - even though a joy to listen to. I urge you to vote for the motion."
Of course I said none of this and I regret failing my branch in this way. However, it is now out of my system and Bruce has read it. I hope readers have, too.
Bill Brookes
Stoke-on-Trent