I like Martin Mears.

Like the nervous first attender at an AA meeting, I admit it.

I would like to see him re-elected this year because some of his objectives deserve to succeed.

The raising of the self-esteem of the profession and the increase of conveyancing fees are two good examples.In office, however, he has demonstrated weaknesses.

He would no doubt say that the last thing he needs is the Council but, in my view, he does need counsel from within it.

He suffers from an unshakeable belief in his own correctness on all issues, and this could lead to his eventual downfall.

He routinely goads and insults the Council in the press.

It is usually good, populist stuff, of course, but at times it is very inaccurate.For example, his description of David Thomas as an ersatz reformer directly contradicts the views of those who know that Mr Thomas has been beating the reform drum for some time.But is all this venom one-way traffic? Of course not.

There are many on the Council who oppose him.

The quality of debate at meetings has plummeted recently.

This is a great shame as there are many good, clear thinkers on the Council with a lot to offer.

Some have switched off perceptibly in the current unpleasant climate which prevails.

Others enjoy taking a pop at the President and are sucked into a game at which he is better than they -- to the delight of the press and to the detriment of the profession.

Little is being achieved whilst this is going on.

It really is very sad indeed.But why are things so difficult? In truth the President and Vice-President cannot associate with the Council on anything.

If they did, they would lose credibility with some of the disaffected people who enjoy 'Chancery Lane bashing'.

It is the same disease which causes the President to stalk around Chancery Lane demanding that someone stand against him in an election.

All of this does no credit to the large numbers of constituents who are very supportive of his aims and objectives, and who are looking for co-operation, rather than confrontation, between the Council and its officers.The President and Vice-President have massive popular support from the rank and file and they should use the Council more constructively than they do at present.If they said to the Council: 'Find a way forward,' the Council would respond more positively than they do to being derided in the press or in public for expressing honestly held but contradictory views to the President or Vice-President.And what about the staff? We hear morale is very low.

I would say that it is an understatement.

There are some who appear to want the President and Vice-President to fail.

If so, that is dishonourable and unacceptable and they should change their ways or leave.

But compare this to the conduct, at times, of the office holders.

Respect is an earned commodity.

You cannot earn it by casting doubt on people's integrity in the press or in public.The Past Presidents mumble away, thinking about the good old days.

The vanquished Henry Hodge and Eileen Pembridge can barely contain themselves every time they speak in Council and the contributions to debate have suffered accordingly.M any of us sit back, perhaps more then we should, increasingly frustrated at a lack of progress on proper issues.The President and Vice-President need to take stock of where to go from here.

A change of approach and a more conciliatory style would get them further.

And the Council must respond positively to such a change.