Peter Kendall is to run for a third term as NFU president next year. But union rules mean he must secure 75% of the vote from the union's 93-strong council because he has already served two consecutive terms as president. It he fails to do so, he will be ousted.

My personal view is that he is doing a good job and it would be a shame to see him go. I'm not aware that there is anyone snapping at his heels for the presidency and even if there were - would they get the support of council?

This could stifle the 'one man, one vote' argument a little, perhaps?

Peter Kendall is the most effective NFU President since Henry Plumb; on his current performance he should continue as long as he wishes. If he were voted out it would be a victory for stupidity..... 

emily:

This could stifle the 'one man, one vote' argument a little, perhaps?

… or on the other hand since it means 23 people could oust the most effective President of modern times without reference to the other 150,000 …

Tom Rigby:

emily:

This could stifle the 'one man, one vote' argument a little, perhaps?

… or on the other hand since it means 23 people could oust the most effective President of modern times without reference to the other 150,000 …

            I know that there is much support for a one man one vote in England for your NFU President. It may not always be the best. Council members know how the candidates perform and their ability for the position and are likely to put forward the best candidate. I know there are many exceptions to this argument but it is a major issue in deciding the voting procedure. You could, of course, involve both members and Council to give best results. Are the Council members not voted up by grass root members? 

 Isabel

I agree he is a good President but what a shame that 99.5% of our members are not allowed a vote. To say that Council know him better than the rest of us is true but I fail to see why I, and the rest shoulnt be allowed to express our opinion,  after all how many voters in the UK know their MP or their prospective MPs personally,not many, so on that basis only MPs sitting in the present House of Commons  should be allowed to vote in a general election, I dont think so.

I have campaigned for 40 years within the NFU for the end what is essentially an elective dictatorship but I guess the truth is that most farmers dont really care just as only a tiny minority of farmers ever bother to attend their branch of County meetings.

Dick

If he feels he is the best man for the job then yes,he should stand.

Dick:

... but what a shame that 99.5% of our members are not allowed a vote.

Hi Dick, it is not quite 99.5% of members that will be denied a vote, every member in Lancashire (except me) will get a vote and I'll be acting as returning officier. All the candidates have been invited to Skelmersdale on Jan 21^st for what I hope will be a lively meeting (probably closed to the press but we might let a few members from Yorkshire if they are denied a vote elsewhere sneak in  )

AllyR:

 You could, of course, involve both members and Council to give best results.

I'm not sure the comparison with MPs works. In some parties only MPs have the ability to choose their leader ie Gordon Brown with the Labour Party. Surely the NFU officeholder elections work on the same basis?

I'm not against the idea of one member, one vote - but only if the majority of members want it and excercise their right to vote (and I'm not convinced at the moment that the majority do want it and would vote).

I think the system there is now can work - so long as the members of council are guided by their local membership.

 Thanks Tom, Glad to see democracy is alive and well in Lancashire. I would like to come if I can get an entry visa in time (unless I am on my jollies at that time.)

Glad to see you are keeping the democratic torch alive within the NFU, let me know if you think I need to be shouting the odds for omov at the AGM or would I still be a voice crying in the wilderness?

Dick

     As an outsider, I must say that Peter Kendall impresses and seems to have a good grip of the balance between farmers and the Governments. I wish him well in the next round.

Right now it's hard to see anyone else that could do a better job...

AllyR:

            I know that there is much support for a one man one vote in England for your NFU President. It may not always be the best. Council members know how the candidates perform and their ability for the position and are likely to put forward the best candidate.

I agree with Ally. It is, after all, Cardinals who put Popes in office not parishioners.

In fact, there are good arguments for both methods of election: The problem with one man one vote is that the man who can play the audience - irrespective of other competancies - usually gets elected, whereas the problem with the other method is the danger of elective dictatorships and nepotism.

I guess the answer is to ensure that the method is changed at a minimum of three terms.