Deputy Sam Mezec.
In part two of our in-depth and exclusive interview with Reform Jersey's Chairman, Deputy Sam Mezec, we discuss an up-coming event, at the Green Rooster Bar, organised by Reform Jersey in its second series of "A Pint and Politics."
The Pint and Politics is a new (and welcome) concept where ordinary Islanders are invited to discuss political topics/events in a sociable/relaxing atmosphere while enjoying a pint, or your drink of choice, and listen to some live music. Reform Jersey use this opportunity to hear grass root opinions from those who matter (the ordinary Islander) in order to help formulate its policies and submit questions in parliament in an attempt to hold the Executive to account. So it's not just an evening of listening to people sound off about politics, it's an opportunity to help shape the direction the Island is going in and having your voice heard.
This week's topic is "The Donald Trump Effect" and how should progressives respond? (to his election)
Donald Trump.
Donald Trump is nothing if not controversial and has shook up the political world. He defied all the so-called "experts," pollsters and VFC argues he defied the Mainstream media. As discussed, in the interview below, it was near on impossible to view a mainstream news programme, during the election campaign, where Donald Trump wasn't being discredited or ridiculed. Some will argue this is simply because he gave them so much material it was impossible NOT to report it. Perhaps a fair enough argument but we argue that if the ordinary voter ONLY had mainstream television news to watch there wouldn't have been a hope in hell Donald Trump would have got elected.
This might demonstrate the decline in trust of mainstream media and a growth in the power of Citizens/Social Media where us unwashed plebs are now able to do our own research, make a more informed decision, and not be influenced by large corporations with vested interests? It could also be an overriding factor in why governments across the western world are legislating against people speaking their mind, or having an opinion, on the internet. Not least here in JERSEY.
Another point for discussion, in the interview below, (and for the Pint and Politics Night)? Donald Trump was elected despite never holding ANY political office previously against a woman (Hilary Clinton) who had devoted her entire adult life to politics. He didn't look or sound like a seasoned politician and perhaps this too played a major part in his election? People across the globe seem to be getting sick of the established order, the establishment as a whole, and possibly even politicians.
Is it time our politicians stopped acting and sounding like politicians? Is this the key to getting elected?
Adama Barrow.
Notwithstanding the election of Donald Trump, who is now one of the most powerful men in the world despite having NO political experience we see the same/similar pattern occurring in Gambia.
Gambian President-elect Adama Barrow is an Estate Agent and former security guard at an Argos store in the UK. He is only the third Gambian president to be elected since 1965 after over-throwing a president described as a "despot dictator" or Gambian's version of "The Establishment."
What lessons can be learnt in local politics from "The Trump Effect" and indeed the massive anti establishment movement sweeping across the western world? Did Trump win the election or did the establishment, and its media, lose it? Are the days of the Jersey Establishment coming to an end? Who/what will replace it if it does come to an end? Will it be better or worse than what we have now? Is the Jersey Establishment taking note of what's happening politically across the world and going to start changing its ways?
Why not pop down to the Green Rooster in Minden Place this Friday (9th) at 8:pm and share your thoughts with a political party who want to hear, and act on them?
Part one of our below interview can be viewed HERE.
ReplyDelete"The relative freedom which we enjoy depends on public opinion. The law is no protection. Governments make laws, but whether they are carried out, and how the police behave, depends on the general temper in the country. If large numbers of people are interested in freedom of speech, there will be freedom of speech, even if the law forbids it; if public opinion is sluggish, inconvenient minorities will be persecuted, even if laws exist to protect them."
George Orwell ~December 1945
George Orwell:
Delete“Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations.”
ReplyDeleteExcellent speech by Deputy Mezec, so good in fact that his Facebook video ( now also on youtube ) went viral as it created so much interest. Even the Guernsey Press published a link on their internet site.
Tim South
December 5, 2016 4:10 pm
Why not drop in anytime to hear a short speech on " why people hate politicians " by a politician in the States Chamber of Jersey called Sam Mezec. On face book it has gone viral and already 92,500 people have viewed it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX72wYwQKi0
Read more at http://guernseypress.com/news/2016/12/05/committees-drop-in-morning-held-saturday/#PcwdUkT6b4C7Q0Zy.99
I thought the JEP were going to work for the people ( their audience ) to get more business, but no chance and no mention from them best not upset the Ministers " eh ma boy "
It is bloody obvious who the JEP are working for, is this why you call them the state media VFC. Unlike the Guernsey Publication who put their readers interests first and not the paid politicians or their departments.
Unbelievable !!!!
VFC, I hope that you will indulge me here. I see no legal impediment:
Deletewww.jerseycareinquiry.org/Transcripts/Day%2081%20Documents%20Optimised%201.pdf
"1. I was born on ###### 1953 and am Jersey born and bred. My father was
an old Victorian disciplinarian.
2. At the age of 18 I worked for the States of Jersey. In order to assist my
mother who was having financial difficulties, I went for an interview for a job
at a ########################### The interview took place
around 6pm on a winter's evening when I went to the interview in ###########
The man who interviewed me was [737] I didn't know it at the
time but [737] was a ##### I wasn't particularly interested ######
at the time, but I do remember saying that ############# The
interview proceeded normally and towards the end I asked whether he would
consider paying me a lower wage and paying cash in hand: I wanted to help
my mother out of her financial difficulties and this seemed like a good
practical solution. I had no idea that it was not an acceptable thing to say, it
felt like the right thing to do at the time.
3. After I mentioned cash in hand told me that he thought 'we
could come to some sort of arrangement' and proceeded to violently rape
me. I mentioned something about reporting it, but [737] just laughed and
said 'Who would believe your word against that of a ###### .
After hearing that I didn't feel confident to report the incident.
4. I was in a terrible state when I left. My clothes were torn and I was
bloodstained. I walked to my next door neighbour's house as I wasn't
comfortable to go straight home and face my parents. My neighbour's name
was ##### When I knocked on the door her husband answered.
He exclaimed 'Oh my God' and went to get ######.
##### gave me some of clothes to wear so that I could go home.
5. I reported this incident much later on in my life and I will go on to talk more
about this later in my statement. I would be happy for the Inquiry to access
my police statement about this incident."
This is only one of many [unprosecuted !] rape allegations against this establishment linchpin.
[737] has been identified multiple times in jersey online media.
Calling him "person 737" is so impersonal for someone who has been in all our homes and sat on our reading tables. Surely a codename like
...... "Joseph Goebbels" would be acceptable.
Does Joseph Goebbels have a brother?
Deletehttp://photopol.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/shafting-jersey.html
Was any thought given to disabled people who might not be able to get upstairs.
ReplyDeleteDeputy Sam Mezec is running a good popularity campaign and many people like the way he views a lot of States policy. Though lets not lose site that you need a couple of dozen people at least in the States to get things passed and until we see a lot more people like Deputy Sam Mezec standing and more importantly, getting elected, the COM will not be troubled by him.
ReplyDeleteDid you not see THIS BIT?
ReplyDeleteHaving real problems trying to load you web page onto my iPad . Anyone else experiencing problems
ReplyDeleteYes there is a problem loading the Blog on iPads. Will look to see how it can be rectified.
ReplyDeletePeter Mac inadvertently explains "irony" to States Members while having an apparent nervous breakdown in the JERSEY PARLIAMENT.
ReplyDeletePeter Mac comes out with some great speeches.
DeleteSo hope he stands again.
I must have missed those. I did get the 'cat' ones though.
DeleteThat's absolutely F*&6$%g unbelievable. Somebody please send him the link so he can see what a fool he is.
DeleteSam Mezec may be able to push his videos through the UK and IOM but closer to home Peter Mac has 3,257 FB followers against Sam Mezec's 1,000.
ReplyDeleteOnly an observation pointed out online this afternoon but the need to push videos of Jersey Political Speeches through the UK and IOM as it is raises other questions.
Peter Mac has a DJ fan base.
DeleteHe was good on 103 and should of stayed there.
Funny how some people are desperate to talk down Reform's success.
DeleteThe idea that Peter Mac is more popular on social media than Mezec is laughable to anyone with a brain.
Donald Trump represents real change in the USA, people world-wide are waking up to what the so-called "progressives" actually represent.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/ZacharyWeaklem/status/807087604659146753
ReplyDeletehttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/CzNuqCPVQAAXaoK.jpg
Preview of up-coming interview with best selling author and journalist LEAH MCGRATH GOODMAN.
ReplyDeleteIs Leah Goodman writing a book about Jersey?
DeleteYes.
DeleteGood. Presumably holding over finalisation until after Inquiry report??
DeletePretty much.
DeleteAlthough I will be publishing part two of the interview with ADVOCATE SINEL before publishing the interview with Leah.
DeleteHope to have the Advocate Sinel interview published by Monday.
Short clip of part two interview with ADVOCATE PHILIP SINEL.
DeleteVFC, You are so on the wave length of a lot of people in Jersey who want change. The local Establishment are fighting for their hold on power and they must know that their days are now numbered. Keep up the good work with these Power Breaking interviews.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to your LEAH MCGRATH GOODMAN interview. You can tell that she is a hard but lovely person:
ReplyDeletewww.youtube.com/watch?v=Vawkv72ltcE
Same applies to Advocate Philip Sinel. I never knew he had such a gentle side until I saw your most recent interviews and read his statements to the CoI
Its getting a bit like Saturday Morning Pictures on here with all these trailers for future films but I am somewhat tired of the same old same old from Advocate Sinel (in spite of his being always interesting), Reform Jersey and the rest.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have something fresh in the bag - not because there is anything wrong with what you are reporting except that we are less than 2 years away from the next Jersey General Election and obviously nothing will change if it is left to the so called existing known called "progressives". Of course I realise that this blog was specifically set up under the "Children" banner and you offer 2 others blogs. But this seems to have become a forum for diverse political issues.
Its all very well being the only dissident lawyer in the village but what is Adv Sinel proposing to do with his knowledge? Will he be standing for election ? Will he join Reform Jersey? Will he start a campaign group for reform of the legal and judicial and legal system or offer to provide a "pro bono" legal advice service now that Legal Aid is about to be curtailed yet further by his professional colleagues in Jersey - will he even join the Jersey Human Rights Group as a desperately needed legal adviser?
We should all be asking ourselves similar questions if we are not already involved.
I keep wondering, whatever happened to the 250 people who lapped up the "words of Hope" from Owen Jones at the Arts Centre in January and paid £25 each to hear him?
Frankly, Maurice Kirk is doing more from his sick-bed in the Sudanese desert to focus world-wide attention on the failings of the British legal system (including the CIs) at the present time - as he has done for 30 plus years...and his outpourings are visible on http://mauricejohnkirk.wordpress.com...I don't know what he might be achieving in fact, but at least he has international attention to his cause.
I have just posted a blog on my tomgruchyblogspot.com re the progress of the Reform Jersey party.
Not because I do not wish it well but because it is obviously not seriously offering any sort of alternative to the entrenched Jersey establishment.
Having been involved in similar political activities for over 40 years in Jersey I fully realise how difficult is the task to motivate a group of people to follow the same political path towards achieving social justice rather than personal wealth. But that is the task that Reform supporters have set themselves. Unfortunately until the likes of advocate Sinel are prepared to join with this or a similar grouping in the organised pursuit of change the establishment will survive more or less intact - at least so far as any action within Jersey is concerned.
(EU Post Brexit changes are a different matter - but I do not hear anybody even discussing such matters ....)
Does Reform have an ambition beyond being an irritating flea on the back of the Establishment beast? Does it aspire to be the government one day - or just to provide yet more token Assistant Ministers or Ministers within the same old Jersey Way? Like Norman Le Brocq the JDM Communist who served the establishment as their Planning Committee President to produce the same old capitalist Island Plan for the 1980s....what was/is the point?
By my latest posting I will no doubt be condemned just as I was for daring to criticise Norman le Brocq then...but nothing has really changed. Except that we now have the wonders of the Internet etc to circulate our views and the views of others instantly across the Island and the world - whereas Norman's JDM party usually relied upon the hand cranked Gestetner duplicator.
part 2 follows
part 2
ReplyDeleteWe all know that there are more then enough talented, politically aware people in this Island who could form an effective Party or grouping but they will simply not work together because of the lack of credibility in themselves and in what is being offered as an alternative to the "establishment".
There is no recent political pedigree for expressing dissenting views either - we all know that it is not "respectable". But this community is now more diverse than ever and the barriers against free thought and expression are breaking down.
I recorded my interviews with the Reform Jersey party on the day it was founded on 4 July 2014 when it had 4 elected States Deputies. It now has 3 but I do not know the name of anybody else who will be standing on the Reform ticket in 18 months time and I do not know what Reform policies might be on so many issues. This is not a credible alternative to challenge the establishment.
I wish Reform well with its pub meetings and any other initiatives to attract new members and to stimulate discussion but I am also realistic. The old format of political ping-pong based upon a bunch of "independents" loosely challenging the establishment is no longer acceptable.
As I have suggested in my recent blog, Reform should actively investigate which established political figures are prepared to join it before the next election and the public needs to know who they are. I most certainly won't even apply to join a Party that leaves the public in any doubts.....I want visible leadership and a democratic membership that is consulted on policy making too.
Yes, let's be realistic here
DeleteJersey is a right wing place
The tide is flowing further to the right
(across the globe and potentially to a dangerous degree)
Is Jersey going to elect a left wing majority? NO, IT IS NOT.
Change can only realistically come about via a centrist majority or party. The left can contribute by being a vital part of a future coalition.
Jersey is a right wing place because it is a tax haven that has been captured economically and politically. Yet the high levels of voter abstention reveal a total malaise and lack of legitimacy for the right. The Island's large working class, especially its immigrants, have yet to assert their interests. The Centre does not exist it is myth invened by desperate Liberals who see the sand being washed away from beneath their feet.
DeleteMy problem with the Progressive Left has always been their aggressive nature with other States members.
ReplyDeleteStates Members that voters voted for, States Members that they need in order to get their numbers up and States Members the Progressive Left end up pleading with during debate to get basic ideas passed, yet hardly ever succeed. It's been the same for decades.
Do you have no problem with the "aggressive nature" of political animals such as Perchard?
DeleteFrank Walker and Bailhache of violate-the-chief-of-Police fame?
Oh, and aggressively attack victims of state sponsored abuse....
Are the Progressive Lefties of an aggressive nature? -Not really.
Maybe T Pitman was.
Stuart Syvret (green party) less so (outside of the hard truths of his blog)
Tadier and Mezec are polite to a fault.
We are talking about the future of the Progressive Left. Not Graham Power, Stuart Syvret or even the Ex Deputy Pitmans.
DeleteIf you listen to debate on Left wing propositions you cannot help but miss a pleading for support.
Whilst a question time grilling from the same people on a Tuesday is almost always aggressive to whoever a question is posed.
I do not know where the balance is but insulting States Members and then hoping for their support later on is only cutting your nose off to spite your face.
You are so right. Our progressives would be far better engaged congratulating our esteemed ministers during question time.
DeleteWe are not really talking about the future of the Progressive Left.
This is Jersey The Progressive Left does not have a future save for as an inspiration for a new centrist faction that has a chance of holding power.
Like I said, I don't know the answer though they have no power in there and even less when they burn bridges. Many say propositions are failed simply down to who proposes it and there's a lot of truth in that. Deputy Southern is cursed.
DeleteDisagree. Deputy Southern is not cursed. He puts forward good and meaningful propositions that The Establishment always give careful and meaningful consideration to, but always fails, because: He's The Establishment's perfect Stooge.
DeleteReference to Deputy Geoff Southern, 'He's The Establishment's perfect Stooge.' That statement is true. In fact more so than even the reader knows.
DeleteIn fact lets face it, everyone active in Jersey politics knows why that is. Just the same as the same 'political class' know the truth about '737' as spoken of above. It is the tragedy of Sam and Monty that they attached greater importance to union funding (basically in the toxic contaminated influence of Southern) for Reform Jersey and its election campaigns than they did for what we might term 'organisational cleanliness'. And it's also no secret in Jersey political circles that they were both warned.
They are all cursed.
ReplyDeleteSee how many of these budget amendments get through this week from Reform Jersey.
I'll put money on none.
Excellent, glad to take you up on that offer if you're still game.
DeleteI'll wager £50 that my amendment tomorrow will be accepted.
If I win, I'll donate it to charity.
Sound fair?
Just won my amendment. I'll await your cheque in the post!
DeleteThink I'll pass it on to the Grace Trust. Great charity.
Surprised to be told that Deputy Sam Mezec has been working closely with Deputy Andrew Lewis on States Reform.
ReplyDeleteMust have been forgiven for the Graham Power suspension then.
Hardly going to be passed when it means 5 states members will be certain to lose jobs in 2018.
DeleteVFC as a long term reader of Jersey's independent media and your work in particular, I read the following assertion with great great alarm....
Delete'Surprised to be told that Deputy Sam Mezec has been working closely with Deputy Andrew Lewis on States Reform. Must have been forgiven for the Graham Power suspension then.'
I have to ask if you will put that claim to Deputy Mezec? I believe you must seek absolute clarity from the Deputy on the issue of whether he's working with the disgraced Lewis, the man who perhaps more than most represents everything you, Jersey's other real media, and the child-abuse survivors have fought against.
Will you please investigate that claim? Ask Deputy Mezec to explain, and put his answer here?
I so hope it isn't true. But if it is, we've all be taken for a ride by Deputy Sam Mezec & Reform Jersey. You perhaps especially when we think of all the tireless work you've done to expose and fight against the illegal suspension of Police Chief Graham Power by Andrew Lewis and his puppeteers. You have given so much support and publicity to Sam Mezec. If his way of repaying that is betraying us all by co-operating with the despicable disgraced child-abuse concealing monster that is Andrew Lewis, then it's time to face that truth.
We await clarification.
Looks like he has already answered it.
ReplyDelete"Anonymous12 December 2016 at 14:04
Does Reform Jersey support this?
http://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2016/12/12/new-bid-to-axe-deputies/
Reply
Deputy Sam Mézec12 December 2016 at 14:41
Yes, 100% supportive of this.
Anonymous12 December 2016 at 15:55
Of course, he's been working with Andrew Lewis on it.
Absolutely and why the hell shouldn't he. At the end of the day Sam is choosing his battles in order to try and win the war. That's how I see this. Politics is a dirty game and sometimes you find yourself with some unnatural bed fellows. Do you think this will stop Sam battling against Lewis later on, absolutely not, but Sam needs to try and get this reform proposal shaped with amendments that make a real difference.
DeletePersonally I would do exactly the same, with the caveat below, but I would still struggle to feel any kind of sympathy for that odious little toad that is Lewis.
Underlying all of this current debate though is an interesting idea. Lewis is going to get caned when the COI report comes out by progressive media and all reasonable thinking people. Is this and everything else that hes been doing on scrutiny an attempt in advance to soften the blow. Is Lewis being rehabilitated by the oligarchy in order to cling to power as a whole. My view is that is exactly what they are trying to do. This attempt at reform stands a good chance of getting through this time IMHO because the oligarchy is desperate and Lewis is one of their yes men and future hopes. None of the proposed reforms really help move things forward to any great deal but will be seen as popularist. I mean Constables still in (block voting secured) and less states members (less scrutiny still) actually further their cause and are less democratic. Having said that making the voting more fair is a step in the right direction but not if the other major issues are brushed under the carpet.
Come on Sam support this but only if deeper reform is included. Otherwise vote against and make clear to all why that is the case. Until a total reform package is put forward be very cautious about voting for part of it.
I cannot foresee this proposal being passed, because apart from it being an almost duplicate of the last reform idea that was thrown out, it's Turkey's all over again voting for Xmas.
DeleteSam's support of this ****** may all be in vain and how he can lower himself is unsettling.
I posed the question at 18:57, and the question has still not been answered, and we still require clarification from Deputy Mezec instead of this deafening silence.
DeletePerhaps the question wasn't clear enough? OK, let me rephrase it.
The question was not asking whether a proposition made or supported by the crook Andrew Lewis would be supported by Mezec in the States. Yes, it's entirely feasible hypothetically that such a situation would arise. Of course, if a proposition had merit, only an idiot would vote against it merely because you didn't like the proposer.
But the question wasn't, 'does Deputy Mezec support a proposition by Andrew Lewis?'.
The question is, 'Is Deputy Mezec working with Andrew Lewis?'
Two different questions. If he's working with Lewis, given everything known about Lewis, then that is a disgraceful betrayal of everything this site has worked for.
In fact, because of this ambiguity, I feel I should expand on my request to you, VFC, and ask that you ask Deputy Mezec to go further than merely answer the original question, and instead spell out his position on Andrew Lewis and the illegal suspension of Graham Power.
Come on VFC, Mezec can't get a free ride. We have a right to pin him down on exactly whose side he is on.
This proposition is identical to Philip Ozouf's 3 years ago.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.statesassembly.gov.je/AssemblyPropositions/2013/P.093-2013.pdf
I can't help but agree with the comments from Tom Gruchy..
ReplyDeleteme too Rico
DeleteVFC can I add my voice to the question which should be asked to Sam Mezec left at 11:31. Are you going to ask that question of Deputy Mezec? If he won't come on here and answer it himself? Will you tell us what's going on?
ReplyDeleteSam Mezec is the best thing that has happened in local politics since Stuart Syvret and Trevor Pitman. What these talented but hot headed politicians seem to lack is guidance....
ReplyDeleteDeputy Mezec be aware and take guidance from people you know you can trust.
http://order-order.com/2016/12/13/top-tory-arrested-child-porn-images/
ReplyDeleteApologies for not responding sooner to those who have wanted to put questions to me. It's the Budget week in the States so I've been busy with that and hadn't been checking the comments here.
ReplyDeleteYes I can confirm that Deputy Lewis sought my input before he brought his proposition on electoral reform forward. I produced the voter equity statistics he uses in his report.
When I first stood for election in March 2014 I said publicly that if I could see a real chance to deliver on my manifesto commitments which would tangibly improve the lives of my constituents, I was prepared to work with States Members with whom I otherwise agreed on very little with.
Ultimately my voters expect to send me to the States Assembly on their behalf and deliver for them. They don't want me to sit on my backside for 4 years and do nothing but complain without making any positive efforts to get anything done.
I worked closely with Senator Ozouf on the gay marriage proposition, even though I think he's wrecked Jersey's public finances and been responsible for a whole host of other screw ups. I did it because I cared about the proposition and actually wanted it to happen and working with him made that more likely. It is happening and I'm very proud of my role in helping to achieve it. Working with him on that project did not compromise my integrity and I still wholeheartedly do-signed a motion of no confidence in him just a few weeks later (and will happily do so again).
Deputy Lewis had a longstanding manifesto pledge that he wanted to bring back the Option B referendum result back to the States. I managed to help convince him to instead bring a version of Option B which did not impact so badly on the voting rights of people in St Helier.
I could have just ignored him and let him get on with it and we could either end up with no change at all or a type of change which actually makes things worse. I've served my constituents interests by being prepared to talk to him even if we disagree on many other things.
His proposition improves voter equity in our system from where it currently is and I think stands a fairly good chance of being voted through. It will improve the voting rights of my constituents and I would be betraying them if I wasn't prepared to act in a way which made it more likely to happen.
I have taken the same line as my other colleagues on the imminent CoI report which is that we just have to wait for it to come out. I'm not going to pre-empt it's findings now, but when it comes out I will want all those responsible for those past mistakes and crimes to be held accountable. Nothing will compromise me in wanting to see that aim realised.
Thanks for that Sam.
DeleteI suppose we all have to get along and move on even if it means working with people like Andrew Lewis who is at least trying to get reform.
So Deputy Andrew Lewis is forgiven.
DeleteYou've got to hand it to him, add Lewis's work on minimum wage, civil servant flights and this move on electoral reform that's pulled in Deputy Sam Mezec, hook, line and sinker, he's played an absolute blinder.
No he has not "played an absolute blinder". No one says hes forgiven, if indeed as Sam points out he does receive the appropriate criticism under the COI report. So on that basis don't encourage the myth that hes reinvented himself as a white knight. As I said earlier this move in in my view noting more than an attempt to rehabilitate himself supported by the powers that be since they can see they have to now concede something.
DeleteIf you really think so.
DeleteIf this reform proposal fails which is highly likely, Lewis has still pulled him into his web of hate.
Shame Reform Jersey couldn't find somebody more befitting to fail a proposal with.
I don't agree it is highly likely to fail.
DeleteMost who supported Option B last time will back it, most new members will want to be seen supporting it and lots of us who opposed it last time will support it now because of the concession for St Helier.
The sad truth is that if I had brought it myself, it wouldn't win. That's politics, but you have to play the game to win and I want to win. Losing with dignity is not something I'm prepared to settle for.
I have a lot of time for you Sam.
DeleteBut if a slightly watered down Option-B is "winning", then I fear that all really is lost.
The States cannot reform itself because every time it has tried it has failed, and to tell everybody to drop 5 seats before the 2018 elections is Turkeys voting for Christmas.
DeleteDeputy Andrew Lewis proposing it, another Mr Unpopular, backstabbing BS-hitter, is despised by the COM so that's another reason to think it will fail.
Deputy Lewis cannot simultaneously be an establishment stooge and hated by the establishment. That isn't a consistent position.
DeleteThis may be a watered down Option B, but the stats are objective. It is a more equitable system than the current one.
If voter equity is your primary concern (which it is for me), then this is a step forward.
It isn't my ideal solution. But it's a choice of no change or a slightly positive change. How is that even a choice? It's obvious.
No Deputy Sam Mezec is right.
DeleteDeputy Andrew Lewis is currently on a mission to become a Minister and is tactfully pulling in as much support from all over the Assembly as he can in the run up so that he can rely on votes when it counts.
Be Home Affairs.
DeleteTo lose with dignity is far far better then to make a pact with the devils.
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't make it up.
ReplyDelete"A FOUNDER of one of Jersey’s biggest IT companies has been charged with 12 counts of indecently assaulting a young girl.
Mark Beaufort Loane, who set up C5 Alliance with a small team in 1998 and is widely regarded as a pioneer of Jersey’s digital economy, yesterday appeared in the Magistrate’s Court to answer charges in relation to allegedly sexually assaulting the girl over a six-year period."
http://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2016/12/14/it-pioneer-facing-indecent-assault-charges/
"Mr Loane – a non-executive director of Digital Jersey"
DeleteThe higher they are the dirtier they become.
DeleteHi Sam,
ReplyDeleteAs chairman of Reform Jersey and your apparent support of option B brought have you obtain the democratic support of your party in way of a vote. I don't mind who is bringing the proposition but believe option b is flawed for obvious reasons.
Who can could forget VFC and his excellent interview with former Deputy Wimberley under the banner Democracy Terrorists.
VFC can you link.
Rico
Rico.
DeleteDemocracy TERRORISTS.
And RIP Democracy; Strangled at BIRTH.
DeleteI think Reform Jersey members should have been consulted before the Chairman decided to publicly support this proposition and the person bringing it. RJ members need to be made aware of option B’s history and its implications before going so public without asking its party members for any kind of input. That is not a very democratic process for a party. Party members should also be made aware of Deputy Lewis’s history and members should be asked if the party wants to be associated with a person who has so many questions to answer surrounding his honesty and integrity. RJ’s reputation could suffer by being associated with Deputy Lewis and should have waited until the publication of the Care enquiry’s report before jumping into bed with him.
DeleteAre you a Reform Jersey member? If so, you'll have my Reform Jersey email address. Please let me know your thoughts.
DeleteOtherwise, I can only go by what every single other member I have spoken to so far says, all of whom consider this to be a positive step in the right direction.
Where did you speak to them? Via an email to all party members? How many members have you spoken to? Otherwise it just sounds like what Andrew Green was coming out with. This proposition is wrong.
DeleteWe had a party social on Friday night and Monday night (although according to Mike Dun these never happen...) so I've spoken to dozens of members.
DeleteI'm not being funny Rico, but I'm a lot more in touch with what RJ members feel than people who aren't members, have no idea who are members and never come to our meetings.
http://ricosorda.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-electoral-referendum-is-42-magic.html
ReplyDeleteHere is a snippet of what Senator Ferguson said from the above posting.
Senator S.C. Ferguson:
I asked, as I say, where the number 42 came from. Is the number congruent with the number of jobs we are required to do as States Members? Clothier did say 42 to 44 but he was working on 3 or 4 Scrutiny Panels and a P.A.C. (Public Accounts Committee). His division was 15 to 20 Members of the Executive and the majority not in the Executive. Clothier himself said that the number of Members should be sufficient to do the jobs required. If we have 42, then on present counting, there are 22 Ministers and Assistant Ministers and 20 in Scrutiny and, as I say, Clothier required the Executive to be in the minority because we do not have any overt political parties. If there are 12 Connétables still in the States, then there will be problems having Members multitasking to do Scrutiny. Most of the Connétables do pull their weight and that can be a pretty substantial weight too with respect to the Connétables. [Laughter] They were a little slow on that one, Sir. But I must emphasise that I do appreciate the Parish link and the good sense that they bring to the States. So obviously the underlying intention of the commission is to repeal the Troy Rule which will give the Executive a permanent majority which, in view of our lack of political parties, could be extremely dangerous. I am sure it could not possibly happen with the current Assembly but there is a real risk of a self-perpetuating oligopoly
From the Lewis Proposition.
ReplyDeletePROPOSITION
THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion
(a) to agree that it should establish an Assembly of 44Members comprising 12 Parish Connétables elected from within the current Parish boundaries and 32 other Members (to be known by the title of Senator), elected from 6 large districts, each choosing 5 Senators, with the exception of St. Helier Districts 1 and 2, which would each choose 6 Senators in addition to their Parish Connétable;
(c) that in an Assembly of 44 members, the maximum number of Ministers and Assistant Ministers shall be 19;
********************************************
So, with 10 out of the 12 Constables always backing the executive 99.99% of the time this is a joke. Along with collective responsibility that is 29 voting in favour of the executive give or take and 15 against. Leave it as it is. Removing the Constables is the key. Their block vote basically swings every major debate.
The Senators are a much worse voting block than the Constables so far in this electoral term.
DeleteHow many Senators sit outside of the executive?
DeleteOne.
DeleteAnd next time it could end up being none, because the block voting system for Senatorial elections gives all the seats to the largest minority. Abolishing them and moving to superconstituencies gets you a much more representative mix.
"So, with 10 out of the 12 Constables always backing the executive 99.99% of the time this is a joke."
ReplyDeleteMaybe because the strength of the Executive case in debate gives them no other choice?
I would be concerned if we had Constables not showing a unified opinion on most issues anyhow.
If you had the chance to listen to the debates you would no that this is certainly not the case.
DeleteMembers know exactly how they are voting before the debate has begun. That's why I can predict the voting on debates.
How many Constables faced an election last time round?
If that was the case then there would be no need for them to say anything during the debates and only come back in from the coffee room for the vote.
DeleteEureka my dear anonymous.
DeleteEr, but they do debate the subjects before voting.
Delete
Delete" Maybe because the strength of the Executive case in debate gives them no other choice?
I would be concerned if we had Constables not showing a unified opinion on most issues anyhow. "
No words, seriously. Potemkin Village, as Syvret aptly describes it.
Three and a half years after CB pointed out one of the many dilemmas of implementing either of those crazy options A or B, Deputies Andrew 'Powergate' Lewis and Sam Mezec are about to exhume the remains of the sham referendum and put us through it all again. I simply can't find adequate words to express my total contempt for these two political chancers.
ReplyDeleteThis time Mezec has done a 180 degrees about turn and now supports the retention of the 12 Constables. ::) That would mean, of course, 12 of those 44 seats in the House most likely being uncontested as they already are now. Some reform eh! Despite having spent an eye-watering £8,386.28 - half of that from union barons - in an unsuccessful attempt to win an islandwide mandate only 3 months ago, Mezec will now support Lewis' attempt to abolish the islandwide vote altogether! However, in a frankly laughable attempt to stop their opponents from claiming that they are abolishing the role of Senator, Mezec and Lewis have cunningly decided to keep the title of 'Senator' and ditch the title of 'Deputy', instead of the other way around. Well looking on the bright side, at least this change might finally enable Geoff Southern to be elected a Senator, as there is bugger all chance that he'll ever be able to achieve that under the current system.
And once again, the urban parish of St Clement faces being merged with the retirement home for bankers and bailiffs that is Grouville and St Martin. I am sure those in the high-rise blocks down there are going to thank Deform Jersey for foisting the likes of the millionairess Lady Labey and the Right Hon. Sir ex-Bailiff External Affairs Minister on them. The current under-representation risks becoming no representation at all if parish kingpins from those two Conservative bastions manage to seriously outspend any St Clement residents who make it on to the ballot paper. Ironically, their only real chance of getting a St Clement representative in that super constituency is likely to be the dearly beloved Susie Pinel. Cue a voter abstention rate in the most urban parts of Samares that could be even higher than it has been historically.
I heard Gary Burgess fairly confidently predict on ITV News that this proposition wouldn't stand much chance of getting passed. All I can say is please, please, please let Gary's prediction be spot on this time! The politicians have dragged us far enough into the s**t already and they shouldn't be given an opportunity to bury us alive in it.
Sorry to disappoint you again Jerry, but wrong on literally every single count.
DeleteI do not support the retention of the Constables. I never have and never will. But the political reality is that they will remain in the States for at least the next election, because there was a referendum in October 2014 which most States Members do not have the appetite to ignore.
Here's what my March 2014 election manifesto said -
"I support one category of States Member elected in equal sized constituencies".
My October 2014 one said -
"There should be one category of States Member elected in equal sized constituencies based on population".
And my September 2016 one said -
"Reform Jersey supports one category of States Member elected in equal sized constituencies where each voter has an equal voting power. We will support any proposal which makes out system fairer." (emphasis added).
We currently have 3 types of States Member elected in very unequal constituencies.
If P.133 is adopted, we will have 2 types of States Member elected in much more equal constituencies than currently.
I said I'd support any proposal that makes our system fairer. P.133 clearly does that and takes a step in the right direction.
It is far from my perfect system. But my perfect system isn't on the table. When you play a game of poker, you play with the hand you were dealt, not the hand you wish you'd been dealt. It is just incredibly that I even need to make that point, because it should be so blindingly obvious.
In the last by-election Reform Jersey came second in Grouville and St Martin. There are plenty of progressives in these Parishes and I don't support this backwards snobbery against them. With multi-seat constituencies, you get a wider variety of representatives. Under this new system, these Parishes will go from having no progressive MPs representing them, to probably having at least one. I call that progress.
Approximately how many people do Reform Jersey intend to put forward in the 2018 elections and will they be challenging these Constable seats?
Delete'at least this change might finally enable Geoff Southern to be elected a Senator, as there is bugger all chance that he'll ever be able to achieve that under the current system.'
ReplyDeleteThanks for making me laugh this morning.
The whole thing is farcical but sources tell me a fair few Establishment people are warming to the idea so it may be be a closer fought out debate than we originally envisaged.
The "Senator Southern" jibe gave me a chuckle too.
DeleteI think the establishment WILL pass this farce because it cements the island in the dark ages for another three decades.
"We have reformed" (we can't be doing that every 2 years now can we?)
An inadequate reform is worse than no reform because we will then be saddled with it.
Meanwhile Lewis will have rehabilitated himself and will be lauded in the JEPaedo ad-nauseam.
The thick punters will lap up the poison.
"Senator Southern" is funny
"Senator Lewis" is sick!
- sources tell me a fair few Establishment people are warming to the idea.
DeleteYes because they can see an even tighter grip on power if they can land more seats in these unrepresented areas. Even Ozouf may get back in.
Ozouf is currently being as obstructive as he can possibly be for this proposition.
DeleteCutting States Members down to 44 and keeping The Constables in will only make even less opposition. For example average voting now is 35 to 16. If Lewis (and Mezec) have their way it would be more like 35 to 9. No! The status quo has to be kept until the Constable loose their vote!
ReplyDeleteRubbish. In this reform St Helier goes from having 11/49 members to 13/44. The Senators have been a much more obvious voting block in this current Assembly than the Constables have anyway.
DeleteLewis is like a snake in the grass and unless there is something big in it for him he would never have gone anywhere near Reform Jersey.
DeleteAgreed on Lewis.
DeleteHe cannot be trusted and those in the know speak to him cautiously all the time.
Similar to Dooley Power.
Does anybody know if Deputy Tadier is supporting this nonsense..
ReplyDeleteChoose your battles to fight the war. I said it earlier and Ill say it again with one big but!
ReplyDelete@Sam given your view on the constables not being in the States will you at least attempt to bring an amendment to this proposition to have them removed as well? If there is little or no support for that then perhaps go with next best option but IMHO you would be failing in your duty if you did not at least try that.
Read it all now.
ReplyDelete'A JEP investigation into child sexual grooming in Jersey has been praised alongside work by The Guardian and The Sunday Times newspapers.
The News Media Association, a body that champions the work of regional and national press, has listed this newspaper’s investigation, which led to the arrest of four Islanders on suspicion of child grooming offences, alongside the Panama Papers and Fifa corruption exposés.'
http://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2016/12/16/the-jep-is-praised-alongside-nationals/
LOL
DeleteIf Andrew Liar can re-brand himself, so can the JEPaedo
"3. After I mentioned cash in hand told me that he thought 'we
could come to some sort of arrangement' and proceeded to violently rape
me. I mentioned something about reporting it, but [737] just laughed and
said 'Who would believe your word against that of a ###### .
After hearing that I didn't feel confident to report the incident.
4. I was in a terrible state when I left. My clothes were torn and I was
bloodstained. I walked to my next door neighbour's house as I wasn't
comfortable to go straight home and face my parents. My neighbour's name
was ##### When I knocked on the door her husband answered.
He exclaimed 'Oh my God' and went to get ######.
##### gave me some of clothes to wear so that I could go home.
5. I reported this incident much later on in my life and I will go on to talk more
about this later in my statement. I would be happy for the Inquiry to access
my police statement about this incident."
Any update on publication of the next Philip Sinel interview? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe Philip Sinel, and Leah McGrath Goodman interviews, will now be posted in the New Year.
DeleteThanks VFC
DeleteIs that because of logistics on your part, or to coincide with the release of the CoI report? I can understand if it might be the latter. After all, the Council of Ministers will already be working on their communications strategy. Multiple government and private sector spin doctors will already have been working on that strategy for months, at great additional cost to us, the taxpayer.
It is a mixture of both, but as you correctly surmise, publishing the interviews nearer the time, or the lead up to, the Care Inquiry's report would be preferable to publishing them over the relatively quiet Christmas period.
DeleteWell will you please do some other post now then? We can't bare anymore of this mug PR for Mezec and Reform Jersey, lackeys of Andrew 'Damning-Report' Lewis. Come on VFC, for God's sake, regather some self-respect!
DeleteI do hope mr mezce has picked up he's 30 pieces of sliver.I'm sure the com thought it was a good price to pay.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe all this crap from Lewis and then have Reform Jersey supporting it! If this goes through any chance of democracy is washed up for another generation just when people were waking up to the need for change. Come back and save us from this bull Trevor Pitman. Please come back to life Norman Le Brocq!
ReplyDeleteReform Jersey sidling up to Mister Integrity, the shafter of Graham Power, Andrew 'Damning report' Lewis? Norman Le Brocq would be spinning in his grave.
DeleteLewis will be taking the credit for the Lewis Xmas advert next.
ReplyDeleteAt least his shenanigans have been spotted.
I shall say it again.
DeleteDeputy Andrew Lewis is playing a blinder.
He has Reform Jersey agreeing to keep the Constables.
He is securing re-election by telling voters he is only trying to implement their choice in a referendum and he is setting himself up for a Ministry by gaining allies left and right.
Remember this is Deputy Andrew Lewis who will **** on anybody to get ahead.
Reform Jersey does not support keeping the Constables.
DeleteWhat a sad day for democracy when comments like these prove it's impossible to have an adult discussion on this issue.
Calm down boys and girls and Sam. We all want to stay on the same side.
DeleteIt is a valid point that Andrew Liar is just TOO unclean to work with (never mind get into bed with) and also valid that one should avoid doing anything to rehabilitate the "rent boy"
IMO a poor and risky decision FWIW.
However, Lewis is just the current rent boy doing what he is told for his masters. The masters are just as unclean and worthy of our contempt.
Who else should RJ refuse to work with. You have to set the bar quite low or you can only work with a handful of States Members.
Ultimately it is Sam's call just like it was ultimately Syvret's call whether or not to work with such a fundamentally flawed CoI.
Deputy Mezec has nothing to loose and all to win by suddenly pulling out of Deputy Lewis's proposition. Realistically, him pulling out would make it more than likely to get through.... Infact a win, win, situation for Mezec!?
ReplyDeleteWhat Sam doesn't seem to understand is that we need more politicians not less. More good politicians that is instead of the self-interested arse lickers who fill the place now. Turn your back on this Sam.
ReplyDeleteCan Sam tell us - this is a genuine question - what are the chances of Reform Jersey burying their differences with Nick Le Cornu and him standing with them at the next election?
ReplyDeleteAbout as much chance as RFJ turning their back on the Lewis proposition.
DeleteNick Le Cornu will never get elected again unless he was the only man standing.
DeleteHe should stop wasting everybody's time and get on with something else, because that by-election was an embarrassment.
Reform are very misguided to help rehabilitate this despicable man. I wouldn't mind so much if this re-hash of Option B was any good. But it just cements power in the hands of Constables for years to come as somebody pointed out. Think about it Sam. Philip Bailhache constructed it! Say no more surely? And it is going to look pretty suspect that Geoff Southern and Montfort Tadier voted against it but will now be sucking up and saying it is a step forward. Talk about Reform shooting themselves in the foot just when the Establishment are beginning to crumble though their own ego and incompetence.
ReplyDeleteThis comment makes an interesting point. Tadier and Southern were both against this proposal just a few years ago. Now it appears they are supporting it. The question must be why? Not quite 'Reform' Jersey then?
Delete
ReplyDeleteGiven tht there are 22 ministers and 10 captured conservative constables giving a hefty 32 block vote in the states out of a total of 49 members. How can it be that fewer members in the Government is an advantage, it does not male sense ?
Why not go for just 12 constables and 12 Ministers 1 Dean and 1 unelected speaker, and be honest about Jersey having a dictatorship Government on the pretence of saving money by having fewer paid politicians.
Three classes of member is a farce. I think it was Pitman who pointed out that even keeping the Constables, but moving to a system where Saint Helier had an increased number of representatives to reflect the population was a small step forward.
ReplyDeleteSuch a system would be far from perfect but keeping a handful of generally useless Senators as well as the totally useless Constables is a retrograde step. At least push for some small move forward Deputy Mezec.
Sam you are getting into bed with one of the devil's little helpers. Don't do it. Lewis will likely lose his seat as things stand, especially once the COI report comes out, so you are giving him a chance to con people he is something he isn't. Don't do it.
ReplyDeleteCan Deputy Mezec explain to us how the hell Super Constituencies are going to work with any credibility if the parish Constable system is going to run in tandem? Talk about half-cocked baloney.
ReplyDeletePerhaps one or more of our elected 49 Reps can be dragged away from this all consuming matter in the New Year to investigate further some of the issues raised in my latest interview with Evelyn...https://youtu.be/gYkqBesoJQc thanks .
ReplyDeletePerhaps you can adjust the link as necessary
Tom Gruchy.
DeleteLINK.
Have you seen the Jersey Inquiry's new Sports Department.
ReplyDeleteNow you see it
Link
Now you don't
Link
Questions:
Who has access to the Inquiry's Twitter account?
What else do they have access to?
Will we get an explanation for this unfortunate booboo? Unlikely on past form I'm afraid.
Perhaps Deputy Andrew Lewis will join Reform Jersey?
ReplyDeletePerhaps Deputy Mezec is joining the Establishment Jersey party?
DeleteIf he gets into bed with Lewis he must have already done so.
DeleteI wouldn't get in to bed with Lewis even if I had read a very good report instead of a "damning one".
DeleteIf he does Ill be leaving!
DeleteNo one is jumping into bed with anyone.
DeleteThese comments prove that it is impossible to have an adult conversation on this subject. What a shame.
The timing of this is awful with a pending report coming out on historic child abuse and the smarmy Lewis always in the limelight. You can only imagine the fall-out in the next elections if Lewis's proposal wins, which is could.
ReplyDeleteCan someone lodge an amendment calling for the Constable part to be scraped. Then share out the 12 Constable seats amongst the super constituencies. Do that Mr Mezec and we are with you.
ReplyDeleteI reckon his Deputy Mezec lodged the amendment suggested above a lot of people would be very indebted to him. I would certainly be hugely indebted. It is also one way around the problem of upsetting Reform supporters who can't stand Deputy Lewis like I can't.
DeleteI agree absolutely and I have said it before in this posting. Bring an amendment Sam to remove the constables and if that is not successful then do the decent thing and declare that you will not support this half baked plan. I'm waiting deputy.
DeleteI can't make the meeting Wednesday, which is a real shame I think you need to understand the anger that many feel towards doing anything other that teh 100% morally right thing.
Does no one here understand how to play poker? You play with the cards you are dealt. Not the cards you wish you were dealt.
DeleteThere have been TWO referendums in the past few years where the majority of people have voted to keep the Constables.
I voted against and do not like the result. But it is the result. If you think it would help our political credibility by seeking to ignore that, then you're living in dreamland.
An amendment to ignore those referendum results is doomed to failure. You must see that surely?
Dear Sam. I support your and Reform Jersey's politics. I am sure you don't need praise but for the record I think you are the best thing to happen to Jersey politics since former Deputy Trevor Pitman. I hope you can avoid getting screwed longer than he did believe me. I also understand the point you are making. What I would say to you is simply this. Suppose this proposition gets voted through. I don't think it will but just for purpose of debate we will say it does. Okay, so come next election in 2018, 2022 whenever St. Helier is a bit better off in numbers as you rightly say. There is still no guarantee that those two extra seats will be filled by good people like you. Hopefully they would be. Looking at the bigger picture what worries me and probably lots of other people, even forgetting the odious Deputy Lewis trying to reinvent himself, is that with this bit of reform achieved the chances of getting the needed reform of removing the Constables through in the next ten to twenty years would become almost zero. Whatever your final position can I ask if you do not at least appreciate this fact. I hope you change your mind but good luck in your career anyway. Your viral speech was great by the way. Just turn up the Testicular Fortitdue a bit more and even more people will listen.
DeleteThanks Anonymous.
DeleteI think that the move from 3 categories of States Member to just 2 will make the actual process of the next election much better than any we have had before, which makes it much easier for voters to get to grips with it and engage.
No Deputy will have a safe seat or get in uncontested (or under-contested) then take up a big role. I think it will increase the chances of progressives getting elected in constituencies with more rural Parishes in them. I also think it will help entrench party politics because with the end of Island-wide elected members, it would be down to parties to provide the Island-wide dynamic. RJ would be able to run candidates in every constituency (which we can't under the current system) and will run an Island-wide campaign which will frustrate the establishment so much, as they'll have lost their ability to do that, that they'll form their own party soon enough.
This might sound weird, but I actually hope that at the next election all 12 Constables get in uncontested. You'd have 32 Senators elected in the fairest and most representative election ever in Jersey, alongside 12 who got no votes and who would be influencing how votes go. It would look so ridiculous that I think attitudes would likely change quicker. Also, we're having international election observers over in 2018 who will almost certainly write a report embarrassing the hell out of the Island for persisting with Constables in the States.
Just keep believing that if you say it loud enough and long enough you just might convince your members but I doubt it will convince any one else.why don't you just come clean you go on about cards lay your cards down and just join the com.
ReplyDeleteDeputy Mezec is getting an unjustified hard time on here for supporting Deputy Andrew Lewis.
ReplyDeleteThose who think they know better should seek election themselves.
For the record, I am not supporting Andrew Lewis. I'm supporting P.133/2016. I'd be supporting it no matter who brought it forward.
DeleteOh so you are supporting P.133/2016 and not Deputy Andrew Lewis's proposal which is how P.133/2016. has been widely reported.
DeleteIt stands to reason that without a lot of thought and action the Constables WILL remain in for the next ten to twenty years. This is with or without this proposal getting through. The mind churning bigger picture is how can we go about removing this now set in stone.... Constables vote?!
ReplyDeletePerhaps Deputy Mezec is right? And I say that even though I personally would stick my head up a cow's bottom before I would support anything brought by Deputy Andrew Lewis.
ReplyDeleteSo the population figure is now 120,000 - but does the proposed Super District electoral proposal even reflect that accurately? Never mind what will happen a few years down the line.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that most of the extra voters will be in St Helier so the fair catch-up of distribution will be a long project.
Never mind the personal jibes either - but why is nobody attempting to analyse the mechanics of such reforms?
Will joining 3 Parish Constables together create yet another layer of super buddies who coordinate their "parish" plans and policies or will it lead to discord? Shall the Parishes become more open and democratic on an Island-wide basis or will the triple alliances just reinforce "rural" prejudices and Super Districts with yet more influence in (for example) Planning matters or the allocation of housing? Will the Super District Police become more or less powerful and /or accountable to the public ? Shall some Parishes lose their identities? How might the Constable of one Parish be prevented from "interfering" in the admin of a neighbouring parish if they are called upon to work closer together?
So far as the revised category of Deputy/Senator is concerned shall anybody now have an "all Island" responsibility? Even now Deputies have a great ability to avoid representing individual constituents - but the choice of 6 only plus a Constable may in fact reduce access to an elected representative. At least current Senators have theoretical responsibility for ALL inhabitants no matter where they live in the Island.
We all know that Senators and Constables under the current system are least likely to take up an individual's case or grievance and this role usually falls to a Deputy. But how might this be affected in future?
So far as elections are concerned I do wonder how candidates will be able to fund their campaigns on limited budgets. Will the larger Districts encourage or discourage potential candidates? Shall there be a an Island Wide official publication of candidates manifestos or just at Super Parish level - but reflecting only localised policies? How might a candidate stand on a single "all Island" manifesto such as a "Green" lobbyist, or on a single policy such as the abolition of Housing control laws, or no to a new hospital anywhere?
How might a candidate fund a campaign or knock on every door and will each Parishes hustings inevitably become mini Senatorial elections as currently run?
If Reform Jersey make inroads as many of us hope in the next election can Deputy mezec tell us if they will endeavour to do something about sorting out the dysfunctional and regularly bullying Social Security department?
ReplyDeleteIt was bad enough under Routier, Gorst and even Le Gresley who spoke a lot but did little. Under Susie Pinel it is like something out of the Third Reich. Does the Deputy think it appropriate that the sick and the elderly who have paid in all their lives are regularly treated at best as children, at worst as criminals?
At all times as scroungers rather than as people to whom this money, the money they have contributed, actually belongs? Finally can I ask if Reform will please put up a candidate in St. Clement where I live to rid us of this rude and uncaring Deputy Pinel?
The JEP seem to have only one photo of this horrible, hard-faced woman. I wonder why that is when there seems to be a wide variety of photos used of other states members? Likening the running of the SS to the Third Reich might be a bit over the top but it is certainly very badly run. My elderly father was treated appallingly by staff who clearly had not been trained properly. I would like to see Geoff Southern run the department. For all his faults he is one of the few politicians who appears to understand how things are meant to work.
DeleteI can confirm that we will absolutely be contesting St Clement at the next election, either just as St Clement if P.133 isn't adopted, or as part of the "East District" if it is adopted.
DeleteSocial Security is dysfunctional and does not work effectively to get help to the people who actually need it.
It is a RJ priority to have that entire system sorted out.
That is good news. I will be willing to vote for almost anyone if they might oust this nasty woman. Why is it that we give important, complex departments to people who quite clearly don't have the brains or the caring nature to run them? I would actually vote for Donald Trump rather than Pinel and I truly loath Trump! You probably need a woman candidate there as we think that is what got her over the line last time.
DeleteIf Sam is running with this Lewis proposition then surely at the very least his party should be amending it to seek same level representation ratios for St Helier parish?
ReplyDeleteThe proposition currently on the table does not deliver that with just two extra seats and the parishes true number of voters/inhabitants.
You are correct that P.133/2016 does not provide for perfect representation for St Helier, but it does provide for much improved representation compared to the current system.
DeleteSt Helier currently has 34% of the population of the Island, but only has 22% of the representation in the States. Under P.133, it will have 30% of the representation. That is a huge step forward.
We could amend it to give further representatives to St Helier to get it perfect, but the problem is that that amendment almost certainly won't win (so why muddy the waters and make it impossible to have a straight yes/ no debate on a good step forward?) and even if the amendment itself wins, it will reduce the chances of the overall proposition from winning, meaning we are left with the worst of all the systems on the table, 22% instead of 30%.
P.133 is a step forward for St Helier which is worth taking.
This is interesting Deputy. Would it be possible, either on here or on your own blog, to briefly outline what the current percentage ratios for representation are now for each parish; and what they would be under the proposals of the super constituency proposition. If you can show this you might convince more of the doubters to your way of thinking? I am sure vfc will grant you the space.
DeleteAbsolutely. Will do so over the Christmas break.
DeleteThe idea that Geoff or any other Reform States Member might become a Minister is just simply not going to happen. Not only is it a return to the flawed Normman Le Brocq scenario - just required to produce the same capitalist Island Plan as any other Establishment politician - but like SS Susie who is just carrying out orders. If the COM wants a 10% reduction across the board then whether Geoff or Susie is the Minister it makes no difference. Deliver the COM policy or return to the back-benches and this is a Ministerial system. Norman did his best under the old Committee system where there was some tolerance of insubordination. Rob Duhamel as Planning President was not even invited to COM meetings.
ReplyDeleteThere are less then 18 months to the next election but so far there is no challenge remotely possible from known "progressives".
At least the smaller constituencies provide a better chance of a few "progressives" slipping in. Some may not even face an election at all. This may not be ideal from a "democratic" point of view but it suited 11 of the 12 Constables at the last election.
Larger constituencies will almost certainly work in favour of the Establishment candidates under the multiple parish districts systems.
Almost certainly the Establishment will contest every seat and be able to coordinate and cooperate their campaign and even rely upon the almost inevitable support of the 12 Constables.
No opposition party or group will be able to do the same and contesting a dozen seats across the parishes under a single banner is surely optimistic.
There is a great deal more research needed before giving support to the current Dep Lewis proposition.
Mike, have you ever considered what good this perpetual doomsday message actually does? If things are so hopeless, would you mind leaving the fight to those of us who aren't so cynical?
DeleteYou're now actually arguing that we'll make progress under the current system after the 24th time of it being tried. Think it through for goodness sake.
Sam show some respect mike has more knowledge in he's little finger then you will ever have and he's right in what he's saying why can't you be honest and say to your members you want to side with the com or is it far to late and like others before you you have already done so nothing like holding on to your place in the states.
DeleteYup, that's me rumbled. I'm simply after a place on the CoM.
DeleteThink it through for goodness sake.
Mike's contributions to this debate have been nonsensical. He's actually arguing for keeping the current broken system and is now arguing against super-constituencies when he campaigned for them in 2014.
Readers can carry on the thread on the new Blog Posting, if they wish, HERE.
ReplyDelete