Comments by Ronnie Fox, published in Solicitors Journal
“There’s a psychological phenomenon called projection. If you’re having a problem caused by someone you can’t attack, you project that problem onto someone else.
“There is a problem with funding. One hundred per cent of the profession thinks it is wrong that the government should cut back so hard on legal aid funding. Many of the supporters of the resolution projected their frustration with the government onto the Law Society.
“They have unrealistic expectations of what the Law Society in general, and what Nick Fluck and Des Hudson in particular, can do. I believe they are well motivated and have tried to do their best. It’s not their fault.
“What I find particularly distasteful is the personal nature of the attack. The resolution was framed as a vote of no confidence in Des Hudson and Nick Fluck in particular.
“Most people think they could do better than the chancellor of the exchequer. It is irrelevant because the chancellor makes the decisions. The government wants to reduce the spend on legal aid. This will impact on a large number of solicitors and their clients. It’s tragic but it’s not the government’s fault.
“We are told that a postal ballot could cost £80,000. I think it’s worth it. What would happen if the Law Society isn’t supported? We’d be even worse off.
“I think it’s a risk worth taking because it goes to the credibility of the Law Society. I believe solicitors would reject the motion and say the Law Society is doing its best.
“It’s very embarrassing. The profession has turned on its own representatives. If the Law Society is not there to fight the corner of solicitors, who will? One united professional body speaks with a much louder voice than a number of specialist organisations.
“I don’t believe strikes are a good way of securing change. It will just be seen as people protecting their own interests. Their chances of success are very little – almost none.”
