Mears starts political era

Martin Mears has heralded a new era of party politics on the Law Society Council with the unveiling of his own party.

The president has set up a President's Reform Group which will meet before council meetings and vote en bloc.

He said nine council members had agreed to join the group including David Keating, chair of the International committee.

"A president who wants to be active and to achieve things needs a group of committed supporters on whom he can rely," he said.

The move may force council members who oppose Mears to come out in open opposition to him, despite qualms about party politics on the council.

The other members of the group are: vice president Robert Sayer, Angela Deacon, David Savage, Bill Heath, John Pickup, Peter Watson-Lee and Anthony Bogan.