In June and July 2008 the Councils of the IMA and the LMS adopted a report produced by their Joint Planning Group bringing eight years of discussions about a possible merger of the two societies to a firm proposal. Both Councils commended the report to their members.
In September 2008 members of both societies received the report entitled ‘Proposal for a New Unified Mathematical Society’ describing the proposed framework for the creation of the new society.
The Presidents of the IMA and LMS visited over 20 universities and branches throughout the UK during the autumn of 2008 to give members a chance to hear the proposals and raise any queries.
The IMA and LMS Councils at their November meetings agreed to invite Members to vote on the proposed formation of a New Unified Mathematical Society in 2009.
The proposal to form a New Unified Mathematical Society was considered by the IMA and the LMS in April and May 2009. The motion to proceed failed when the motion did not receive a majority of votes in support at the LMS's second Special General Meeting on 29 May 2009. The detail of the voting is set out below. Both Societies have agreed a clear intention to continue to work together to promote mathematics at all levels.
The result of the IMA vote at the EGM (29th May 2009) is as follows:
Votes in favour 1205
Votes against 51
Abstentions 2
Spoiled ballots 9
The turnout was 42%. Of those who voted 96% were in favour of the motion (4% against). The motion was therefore carried.
The result of the LMS vote is as follows:
Referendum (27th March 2009)
The turnout was 48%. Of those who voted 56% were in favour of the proposal (44% against). LMS Council decided to proceed to the first SGM.
First SGM (21st April 2009)
The turnout was 33%. Of those who voted 55% were in favour of the proposal (45% against). The vote was passed and so the second SGM was called.
Second SGM (29th May 2009)
The turnout was 43%. Of those who voted 44% were in favour of the proposal (56% against). The motion was not carried.
The result of the second LMS SGM means that the motion fails.
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