The Stage

Equity councillors quit over Landis re-election snub

Published Tuesday 11 April 2006 at 15:50 by Alistair Smith

Equity’s ruling Representative Group has been left in disarray after five of its leading members, including actor Oliver Ford Davies, quit the organisation when union president Harry Landis was told he could not stand for re-election as the party’s candidate.

Following its decision to put forward current vice president Graham Hamilton for the forthcoming presidential elections, Landis has left the group to stand independently. Equity councillors Ford Davies and Roy Marsden have also quit following the decision, as have John Burgess, who recently starred in Mike Leigh’s Two Thousand Years at the National, and former Doctor Who performer Nicholas Courtney.

Landis, who has been president for four years, said he was disappointed by the group’s decision, as he had not been aware of any criticism of his presidency beforehand, and felt that the move to oust him had been made behind his back.

He is also objecting to a subsequent email which has been sent out to the Representative Group which includes his home phone number and urges members to withdraw their support from his campaign.

“I think it’s about personal ambitions, rather than what is best for Equity,” Landis commented. “If they had raised it at a meeting and given good reasons I would have stepped down.

“I think maybe it is time to disband the [Representative] group, because it is stopping youngsters getting into the council. It is stifling newcomers coming in. We need young people standing for the council.”

Hamilton, however, stressed that he had been elected by the group in a “democratic postal ballot”, in which he had secured 88 votes, fellow vice president Jean Rogers had received 78 and Landis had recorded 72.

He added: “I would like to thank Equity members for all their support over the eight years I have been their vice president. I believe it is time for a change in leadership. I promise, if elected, to be a president of and for all the members and a unifying force.”

Speaking to The Stage, Ford Davies, a Representative Group member for eight years, explained his decision to quit.

“I think Harry has been an exemplary president - he’s a good chairman, he’s tireless in going round branches, he’s a good speaker and columnist in the Equity magazine and I think he should have another two years if he wants it,” he said.

Opposition group Members4Members has not yet confirmed whether it will be putting forth a candidate for the elections.

Nominations for the presidency close on April 21 and ballot papers will be sent out to all union members in June.