Former Equity vice president eager to return to council at next month’s election

Published Tuesday 6 May 2008 at 15:45 by Lalayn Baluch

Former Equity vice president and variety councillor Dave Eager is bidding to return to the council by standing in the union’s elections next month.

Eager, who served on the council for two decades before failing to be re-elected in 2006 when balloting figures hit an all-time low, is urging all members to ensure they vote.

Eager told The Stage: “I was on the council for 20 years and didn’t get on by seven votes, so it shows how important it is for members to vote. One of the things that happened over the years is that Equity has failed to communicate with the members the importance of voting.”

In 2006, the ballot for the full council fell to only 7% of eligible members, with the presidential vote slightly higher at 7.4%. In 2004, 8.4% voted for the council elections. This year, members will be offered the chance to cast their poll online, and Eager believes this will boost the number of people having their say when balloting begins.

Current walk-on representative Clive Hurst has also confirmed he will be standing, despite previously announcing that he would not run for the post.

According to Hurst, a greater number of independent representatives are expected to stand this year. It is also thought the general councillor’s list will attract more candidates.

Members of the trade union will be able to vote for both the council and president when balloting papers are sent out on June 4. The polls will close on July 18, and candidates will receive the results the following week. Public announcement will be made shortly after that online.

Equity spokesman Martin Brown said the council will announce the full list of nominees next month.

• Equity elections take place every two years.

• All members vote for the 46 council representatives and a president.

• The Rep Group has had majority rule since the mid-nineties. Its currently occupies 27 seats, eight less than the previous voting round.

• The opposition group Members4Members, successor to the Act for Equity group, has 15 seats on the council.

• In 2006, independent representatives increased from one to four.

• The council is made up of general councillors, and specialist representatives covering areas such as light entertainment, choreography and walk-on.