The electoral outcome for the RPSGB boards is now publicly available. We are concerned, that in England, the potential for a single issue to swamp the new PLB remains potentially divisive and distracting with so many issues affecting the practice of pharmacy. However, our greatest concern, in this time of great change, is that the majority of the profession have stayed silent and disengaged from the election and in that respect we believe that along with all other pharmacy organisations we have failed.

Our challenge now is to ensure the aspirations for our new PLB, to truly represent all of pharmacy, are met. The need for the new Boards to provide a clear vision that will attract voluntary members is greater than ever and we will aim to support them as well as we are able.

The Guild has been the sectoral voice of NHS pharmacists and we remain committed to articulating their message and working collaboratively with the new boards, in the three countries represented by the RPSGB, the equivalent body in Northern Ireland and the other organisations currently representing those pharmacists.

We recognise that this is not the first occasion that a single issue campaign has led to a similar outcome following a low electoral turnout. The GHP President at the time expressed similar disappointment and he concluded with the following quote which I feel still remains an appropriate conclusion.

"Bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will, to be rightful, must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal laws must protect, and to violate would be oppression." --Thomas Jefferson: 1st Inaugural, 1801. ME 3:318"

David Miller -GHP President