The Merrison Committee reported in 1975. All parties accepted its recommendations for radical reform and, after negotiation over details, a new Medical Act went on the Statute Book in 1978. A new GMC President, Sir John (later Lord) Richardson set about implementing the reforms. The council became ‘more democratic and a good deal less straight-laced … rather more concerned with shortcomings which prejudice good patient care and rather less with private sexual relations, and allegations of self-advertisement … more argument in the chamber and less unquestioning acceptance of the dicta of committee chairman and the secretariat’