The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7202 p837-838
15 June 2002

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   Concordance
   Computer systems
   Product identification
   Council elections
   The Council

Letters to the Editor

Council elections

Is the Council employing a delaying tactic?

From Mr M. Crane, MRPharmS

The Council election (PDF* 25k) results (PJ, 25 May, p747) show that Robert Darracott obtained 516 first preference votes, Sarah Cockbill got 450 first preference votes and neither was elected. However, Pat Hoare obtained 430 first preference votes and was elected. In the auditor's election Mervyn Madge received 683 first preference votes and was not elected but Dr Wills received 624 first preference votes and was elected.

There is no doubt an explanation for this, however, the only explanation for the single transferable vote system is printed on the back of the voting paper and it vanishes if a member exercises his or her vote.

The branch delegates are not satisfied with the STV and want it replaced (PJ, 1 June, p782). The Council's comment on the motion of the Slough branch (PJ, 20 April, p553) suggests that this topic is low on the modernisation group agenda and it may be considerable time (even years) before this matter is discussed. This would be unfortunate as it would give the impression that the Council wishes to retain the STV irrespective of the wishes of the members and is using the modernisation group as a delaying tactic.

Malcolm Crane
Rye, East Sussex

No compelling case 25 years ago

From Mr R. C. Mills, MRPharmS

Your feature on the reforming of the Society's Council (PJ, 8 June, p796) made no reference to any consideration of the way in which Council should be elected.

The past four branch representatives' meetings supported the principle of removing the single transferable vote system and letters in your columns have supported this.

May I also bring to the attention of the Council, when it discusses the BRM motions, a comment in the Golden Jubilee (PDF* 85K) article (PJ, 1 June, p772). A leading article in 1977 stated that "it remains The Journal's view that no compelling case for the adoption of the STV by the Society has ever been advanced". This is as true today and it is about time that Council took appropriate action.

Roger Mills
Ascot, Berkshire

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