The Stage

Equity voting figures fall to ten-year low at 8.4% turnout

Published Wednesday 14 July 2004 at 10:35 by Liz Thomas

Voting figures for Equity’s full council elections have fallen to their lowest since the Representative Group came to power ten years ago, confirming fears of increasing member apathy towards the union.

Just 8.4% of 34,055 eligible members voted this year, almost 1% fewer than in 2002. Only a by-election in 2001 attracted less votes, with 5.9% of the membership taking part. The next lowest for a full council election was in 1994 when 8.8% returned their ballot slips.

Activists had warned of problems in the run-up to the election when difficulties arose finding candidates to contest more than half of the 23 categories that make up the council.

The result came as no surprise to seasoned campaigners, many of whom feel the situation will worsen without reform. Variety councillor and former vice-president Dave Eager said a big part of the problem was the lack of profile the elections were given. He said: “You always have to motivate people to vote and Equity just doesn’t do that. We need to raise the profile, give members a reason to vote and make it clear why they should be voting.

“News about the election should have been on the front cover of the Journal telling the members this is their opportunity to direct the Equity Council. Instead the ballot papers were buried in it with a small article - you would need a microscope to find them.”

Eager said Equity was failing to communicate with its membership and many of the ordinary members were unaware of all the roles the council has.

Those who did take part in the vote, however, returned the ruling Representative Group to power with an increased number of councillors. Of the 46 seats, 35 are now occupied by members of the faction - nd increase of two on the vote in 2002. High-profile names that were returned include Oliver Ford Davies, Shirley Anne Field and Roy Marsden. Marsden again topped the poll with 1,673 votes followed by former president Frederick Pyne, Jean Rogers and Ford Davies.

The retention of some high-profile performers will please the leadership, which has been criticised for not attracting sufficient well-known names in the profession.

Frank Williams, of the opposition Members4Members faction, agreed the voting figures were poor. He said: “Obviously I am disappointed but I think it’s fair to say the Representative Group have a much better election machine. But I do hope people will all work together for the good of Equity.”

Among the casualties was seasoned variety councillor and one-time Representative Group member Bunny Lewis. Said Lewis: “I’m completely baffled - I’ve served ten years on the council. The Representative Group seemed to have swept back into power in a far greater way than before.”