Following on from our PREVIOUS POST and the resounding success of the March For Equality organised by REFORM JERSEY We offer (below) the speeches, given by Treasury Minister, and only openly gay politician, Senator Philip Ozouf, and Reform Jersey's Chairman, proposer of Equal Marriage, Deputy Sam Mezec.
It was encouraging to see two States Members from across the political divide able to share the same platform for the good of a common cause and the good of the Island as a whole and hope this inclusiveness can be built on in all areas of our States Chamber.
Congratulations to Reform Jersey for organising this event, to all who took part in making it such a success, and sending such a positive message to our government that the Islanders do care about equality and are willing to take to the streets to prove it.
Will there be a rally the same time next year (or sooner) to celebrate the first same sex marriage?
There's no denying Senator Ozouf is a fabulous orator but when it comes to addressing such a huge crowd he looked slightly intimidated. Deputy Mezec on the other hand looked like he was in his element brimming with confidence. Mezec is a Chief Minister in the making.
ReplyDeleteI strong suspect that Senator Ozouf will become a leading member of Reform Jersey.
ReplyDeleteMany people only went because they knew Philip Ozouf would be speaking.
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure that is correct, as Philip had no intention of going to the rally. It was a last minute change of mind/U-turn. There was no mention on the Facebook Group of him attending, or speaking.
DeleteCould you send a link to where, before the Rally, Senator Ozouf said he would be attending or speaking?
I can confirm that this is entirely false. It was only decided that Philip would speak literally a matter of minutes before he did and we did not know in advance that he would attend the rally.
DeleteIt's simply another comment aimed at belittling what was a fantastic event.
It does not surprise me at all to learn that Senator Ozouf just turned up and asked to be given a moment to speak. He is a reactive politician, not a leader. He can be quite manipulative. But I agree with the comment below 13 July @ 21:06 - Senator Ozouf has always had the popular vote and the implied threats to the finance industry on his side. This time, I think it will be different. Politicians have essentially watered down their ability to influence the machinery of government and the finance industry so to differentiate themselves this time they have to demonstrate what value they are to the populous at large.
DeleteOh please!
DeleteIt was on the morning radio that Sen. Ozouf was attending, but who needed an invite?
Ozouf has never been in this General Election situation before.
ReplyDeleteDoes he stand by the Establishment? Or does he stand by himself and move with the times?
Philip Ozouf @philipozouf · Jul 11
ReplyDeleteJust watched ReformJersey Film for the Equality Rally. I absolutely support Marriage Equality, but it's clear this Rally is not about that.
But he still turned up and didn’t tell anybody.
DeleteIt's also strange that Senator Ozouf never mentioned in his speech that the Rally wasn't about Marriage Equality isn't it?
DeleteIf it had nothing to do with marriage equality what was he doing there and what was he talking about?
DeleteSams speech demanded basic right to marry the person they love. Equality equality equality. No more no less.
ReplyDeleteNo agenda noted. Was it so obvious I missed it?
This is interesting,
ReplyDelete13 July 2014 21:49
Philip Ozouf @philipozouf · Jul 11
Just watched ReformJersey Film for the Equality Rally. I absolutely support Marriage Equality, but it's clear this Rally is not about that.
So what was it about according to Phillip ? pray do tell, or is it confidential, his favourite word to other states members who ask questions in the States and rarly get a decent answer.
I should just ignore the post that claims people only went because Philip Ozouf was speaking. There is a troll on Twitter calling himself Monty Man Hunter spewing this nonsense and the chances of it being coincidence is almost zero. sadly, when you think what a great event the day was this sad individual (pretending to be Gay too just to mislead people!) has also been upsetting people denied equality by mocking them for being transgender! Sick to say the least and exactly the sort of behaviour events like this can hopefully help stop. A great day and a brilliant service in getting the recordings up.
ReplyDeleteVFC why do you allow unnecessary comments like this on good threads?
DeleteThis troll stuff is getting really tedious and I question the sanity of any person who feels the need to raise goings on from elsewhere?
What I do not get about this troll stuff because I am reading it on Sam's blog as well as here, is that if there is only 1 person, 1 single person doing this who people know, then make friends with him/her, show an olive branch.
ReplyDeleteThe saying is keep your friends close but your enemies closer and by befriending people who you think are against you actually irradiates a problem. Maybe the person who hates all this has reasons, if you never engage it will never sort itself out but silly comments like the above are no better than trolling itself.
Only one, dream on!
DeleteLGBT are complaining to the Rag about Reform Jersey's hijack of the event according to sources this weekend.
How on earth can anybody complain RJ hijacked an event that it organised itself?
DeleteThey reckon it was them who got everybody to go.
DeleteIf this wasn't partially about promoting Reform Jersey, why would Nick Le Cornu's latest blog have the following title ?
ReplyDelete'HUGE TURNOUT FOR GAY RIGHTS REFORM JERSEY EQUALITY PARADE'
Uh because it was an Equality Parade organised by Reform Jersey where there was a huge turnout?
DeleteUh, so it was partially about promoting Reform Jersey ?
ReplyDeleteUh so what do you expect Reform Jersey to do? The Chairman of the Party, Deputy Sam Mezec, brought the proposition for Equal Marriage and Reform Jersey organised the Rally. Should they then say “oh by the way although this Rally was borne out of a proposition brought by our Chairman, and was organised by the Party……It has nothing to do with the Party?”
DeletePhilip Ozouf gate crashed the rally for political gain and should be ashamed of himself.
ReplyDeleteReform Jersey may as well have arranged it for promoting Philip Ozouf.
DeleteToday Vera Baird, a former Labour MP and solicitor general, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'If she were in a court case, presiding over it and her brother were mentioned as somebody who she may have to investigate as to her role, she would of course withdraw due to a conflict of interest.
ReplyDeleteRead more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2691432/Ex-judge-Butler-Sloss-QUITS-Establishment-child-abuse-inquiry-row-brother-sitting-Thatcher-Cabinet.html#ixzz37RWCbGlJ
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Interesting considering SS problems in courts here!!!
Ozouf desperate re this years elections even considering standing for St Saviour constable to try that way back in!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is quite obvious that the comments moaning about Reform Jersey highlighting the fact that the rally was organised by THEM and no one else are all emanating from the same person. I would also suggest that the comments emanate from the SAME person moaning about those of us who have noticed the familiar pattern and duplicity here. Just keep telling it as you see it VFC. The work people like you do is so hugely important. One day it will be in the history books.
ReplyDeleteWell after just reading today's JEP and other thanks elsewhere I would say Philip Ozouf has got more out of this rally than anybody.
ReplyDeleteSeeing as the JEP is not a credible source of information you must take what you read in it with a pinch of salt.
DeleteIf Philip Ozouf "has got more out of this rally than anybody" it would be a shame as one would have hoped the Gay/Lesbian/Transgender community would have got more out of it than Philip Ozouf or anybody else.
Nonetheless I'm sure Senator Ozouf will be grateful for your support.
All you do is attack the JEP but its muscle compared to the blogs is goliath.
DeleteI also object to my intelligence being insulted for buying the thing by you.
Having more "muscle" does not mean someone/ something is right.
DeleteDavid and Goliath comes to mind.
For those interested in hearing the speeches of the other main speakers at the rally try here http://district1sthelier.blogspot.com/2014/07/huge-turnout-for-gay-rights-reform.html
ReplyDeleteI am confused by this. The new pope is making some encouraging noised .......but the Vatican is denying what the Pope is quoted as saying.
ReplyDeletewww.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2690575/Pope-Francis-admits-two-cent-Roman-Catholic-priests-paedophiles-interview-Italian-newspaper.html
In his interview, Francis was quoted as saying: ‘The Church is fighting for the eradication of the habit and for education that rehabilitates.
'But this leprosy is also present in our house. Many of my colleagues who are working against it tell me that paedophilia inside the Church is at the level of 2 per cent.’
He said that the figures supplied by Church officials were supposed to reassure him, but added: ‘But I have to say that they do not reassure me by any means.
‘On the contrary, I find them deeply concerning. Among the 2 per cent who are paedophiles are even bishops and cardinals.’
Last night Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the newspaper’s report had ‘captured the spirit’ of the conversation, but denied that Francis had said there are some cardinals who are paedophiles.
In his interview, the Pope acknowledged that paedophilia was common and widespread in the Catholic Church, and reportedly called the requirement for celibacy among priests ‘a problem’ for which he is ‘finding the solution’ – although the Vatican also denied that he said this.
................
The first cases of abuse at the hands of priests came to light in the US and Canada in the 1980s. In the 1990s, revelations began to emerge of widespread abuse in Ireland, before cases were exposed in more than a dozen countries in the last decade.
In 2009, two damning reports into allegations of paedophilia in Ireland revealed the extent of cover-ups spanned decades and involved thousands of victims.
Last week the Pope said the Catholic Church had been guilty of ‘complicity’ in covering up what he called ‘despicable actions’ and ‘grave sins’.
He said members of the Catholic Church should ‘weep before the execrable acts of abuse which have left life-long scars’.
...............................
All PR bo!!oks until there are mass arrests of the guilty!
You never post any critical comments about Reform Jersey.
ReplyDeleteI published that comment so readers can see some of the nonsense that gets sent to the Blog. One only needs to look at the comments on this posting to see there are, in fact, a number of critical comments about Reform Jersey.
DeleteA taster of a critical comment, deemed not fit for publication, is reproduced below although I have edited the swear words to make as fit (as possible) for publication.
“Tadier is nothing but a slime ball piece of sh1t and Le Cornu the gormless c-nt is a bigot. F-ck Reform Jersey and shame on you for interviewing these w-nkers.”(END)
It should also be noted that comments have been submitted (nowhere near as bad as that) critical of certain individuals who have been attacking Reform Jersey. These also haven’t been published because they name members of the public.
As for balance, this Blog, more often than not, serves as a balance (as best it can) to the propaganda churned out by the State Media or to expose what is being covered up by the State Media.
Hope this explanation helps.
Come on 'Monty' you know this isn't true. Crikes anyone would think this was the Pravda State mouthpiece. VFC do a great and very balanced job. If they didn't you wouldn't be tuned in 24/7.
ReplyDeleteHi VFC.
ReplyDeleteAt last got the Audio up from Mondays Questions without Answers, you and your readers can listen HERE
TJW.
"“Tadier is nothing but a slime ball piece of sh1t and Le Cornu the gormless c-nt is a bigot. F-ck Reform Jersey and shame on you for interviewing these w-nkers.”(END)"
ReplyDeleteIs it fair to day that Reform Jersey is like Marmite then?
@ 21:37 Well someone clearly hates them and does not think that these elected representatives should be given a voice or interviewed. I wonder if it is the same person who is behind the chavvy troll identity "Monty Man Hunter" who invariably supports the establishment shysters and promotes his pro abuse cover up websites.
DeleteBritish troops were issued with Marmite as part of their rations to avoid the debilitating nervous condition "beri-beri" caused by lack of nutrition and dietary balance.
Does the Jersey electorate suffer from symptoms including: loss of sensation, Mental confusion, Involuntary movement, loss of balance and coordination, Diarrhoea & Ill temper?
"Marmite" might just be part of the cure LOL.
That last part was the best comment I've read on a blog in while. Love it!
DeleteThe Equal Marriage demonstration was a great success; it was a success for the Gay community; it was a success for Reform Jersey and it was a triumph for the people of Jersey, who showed that they really do care.
ReplyDeleteCynicism was banished and people acted to show their indignation at a crass act by a section of the States members. They thought that by deferring an in-principle decision for more “consultation” and thus effectively kicking it into the long grass, they would avoid an issue of contention at the general election on 15th October. Now it has blow-back. Every candidate will be obliged to have a coherent argument on Equal Marriage, from which the electorate will be able to determine their respect for equality, be it for gays, women or ethnic groups.
For the record, Senator Philip Ozouf was welcome to speak at the demonstration. Reform Jersey is not petty minded. Prior to the day he was expressing doubt; the attack dogs of the internet were unleashed to spread their usual cynicism for the event. However, once it became evident large number were intending to be there and the Gay community was embracing the event, he realised that it would be opportune to attend. That he spoke was a last minute decision. The woman that accompanied him asked Reform Jersey if he could speak. Naturally, we agreed. So he should, as he was the only member of the Council of Ministers not to vote for a deferment.
Whilst doing voter registration in King street yesterday, Reform Jersey’s stall was approached by a gay man. He thanked us for organising the demonstration. We thanked him for his kind words and asked that he remember us on 15th October.
Philip Ozouf said on TV that Reform Jersey attempted to hijack the event Nick so mixed messages yet again.
DeleteIt was a Reform-Jersey event organised and announced by Reform-Jersey so perhaps you can explain how they "attempted to hijack" their own event ......PMSL
DeleteSo it would appear that it was "Phil Useless" who attempted to hijack the event ....without state media challenging him or even batting an eye. Some idiots may actually believe him.
I dont expect that state media will be doing a proper report on Ex Deputy Daniel Wimberley's press release.
Cracking coverage on
http://voiceforchildren.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/jersey-child-abuse-committee-of-inquiry.html
Are you going to troll that thread too?
The "highjack" allegation against Reform Jersey is bizarre in the extreme. Since we organised the Equality March how could we possibly highjack our own event?
DeleteThe allegation is illogical, but that does not matter to its source, which was probably Senator Philip Ozouf himself, and the deferential reporting of the Jersey media who took their lead from him as the “party line”.
The demonstration was perceived as a threat to Establishment power as it was a protest against their decision to defer the decision for more “consultation”. Thus deferment was government policy and the “party line”. Positions other than this would by definition be a challenge to executive power and the ruling group.
Highjack was a difficult line to run, as anyone with any intellect would have seen through it immediately. It is noticeable that the “attack dogs of the internet”, the right wing bloggers and anonymous trolls pushed the point. This illustrates how clearly they are controlled and in whose interests they operate.
Everything is done to try and undermine the coherence and success of the march which attracted around 500 people, mostly in the under 35 demographic. Thus a new section of Jersey society has been politicised. This is an incredible achievement in a politically unsophisticated island.
Senator Ozouf was simply trying to undermine his political opponents for having stolen a march and embarrassed the government of which he is a part. He may be gay, and that is why he attended and spoke, but being right-wing and close to the interests of capital – to the exploiters and oppressors – is his real first love.
Reform Jersey showed that it had the capacity to mobilize by virtue of having the right politics and honed organizational skills. These are qualities that have sadly been lacking in the post war period amongst the working people. In a word there is now Leadership.
Senator Gorst, the Chief Minister, said on Channel TV when interviewed, that he would like to introduce some kind of Civil Union, along the lines of Guernsey or France. He does not want full equality of marriage that is accorded to heterosexual couples granted to others. He can stuff his Civil Union half measures and bow to the wishes of the gay community for equality.