The Stage

Far from disarray

Published Friday 21 April 2006 at 15:00

It is very sad that Equity’s president Harry Landis is unable to accept the results of a ballot he entered into freely (News, April 3, page 2). The irony is that it was Harry himself, along with John Burgess, who instigated this formal procedure, thus changing the Representative Group’s approach when choosing their presidential candidate. He also signed a declaration on the nomination form promising not to stand against the group’s choice, should he be unsuccessful. This too, it would appear, Harry can no longer accept.

I am sorry if he and Roy Marsden are feeling aggrieved and shunned. I don’t believe that was the intention. Harry may recall saying he would only stand for four years and indeed, until my voting paper arrived, I did not know whether he was standing again or not. Of course he must be disappointed that he took less than a third of the group’s votes but this may well reflect the fact that his attendance at meetings had been poor and after the general secretary election he talked of disillusionment with the group and that it was his opinion it should disband.

The Representative Group is far from being in disarray. It is wholeheartedly behind their chosen candidate Graham Hamilton. As one of the three who took part in the ballot, I totally accept the group’s decision and will back Graham to the hilt. The group was formed in 1994 to replace the divisive Equity AGM with an annual representative conference. It stands for communication and accountability. It constantly looks for young people to be involved. Contrary to the view of some, the group has always been a collection of independents with the best interests of the members at their unifying heart.

Individuals have tried to take the group over in the past but whilst we remain democratic, they never will.

Jean Rogers

Lavender Cottage

17 Hurstfield Road

West Molesey

Surrey