Former Health Minister/whistleblower Stuart Syvret
Political observers may be aware that the Jersey elections (or lack of) are being monitored (hopefully) by an independent Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). They have been on the island since the 5th of May.
According to VOT.JE:
The Mission will observe:
. political campaigning
. electoral administration
. voter registration and accessibility
. candidate nomination
. polling (including postal and pre-polling)
. counting and tabulation
. post-election complaints or appeals
A preliminary report will be published within two days following the election to outline the initial findings. A closing report will be published within two months after the election making recommendations for electoral reform.(END)
Yesterday (Tues 8th May 2018) the CPA held a Press Conference at the State Building where the MSM, members of the public/Bloggers were welcome to attend and ask questions of the panel. Fellow Blogger TOM GRUCHY was in attendance and indeed filmed parts of the Press Conference published HERE. Also in attendance was former Senator/Health Minster/alleged political prisoner and whistleblower Stuart Syvret. Readers are encouraged to click on the link above where Mr. Syvret and Tom Gruchy demonstrate why the island needs an independent media (Bloggers) in order to get some questions asked.
Readers might not also be aware that the CPA is taking submissions from the public with their own observations concerning the electoral (or lack of) process in Jersey. We strongly urge those who have knowledge, or just observations, to contact the CPA at jerseyelectionobservation2018@gmail.com where we believe they would be happy to meet with you. Alternatively you can just make your submission on the e-mail.
Former Senator Syvret has been relatively quiet for quite some time now and the general feeling is that he fears illegal imprisonment from another secret court if he is seen attempting to rock the Jersey boat. That said he did grant Tom Gruchy an exclusive, in-depth interview, directly after the CPA Press Conference which we publish below.
We are told that Mr. Syvret will be making a comprehensive submission to the CPA as will a number of others including sitting and former politicians as well as Bloggers, members of the public, and hopefully readers of this Blog?
If you think there is something wrong with our electoral process, or indeed if you believe there is something right with it, then you should tell the CPA. jerseyelectionobservation2018@gmail.com
The CPA has been brought in to help with the Elections so I am confused by what this post is trying to imply.
ReplyDeleteIt hasn't been brought in to "help" the elections. It has been brought in to "observe" the elections.
Delete@18:47
DeleteI don't think VFC is implying anything.
However I would like to imply that the Jersey Election Observation Mission 2018 will give Jersey democracy a clean bill of health.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Paulwell
"Leaked United States Government cables sent from the US Embassy in Kingston on 19 March 2008 linked Paulwell to a number of scandals. According to one cable, Paulwell "has been behind the scenes of numerous imbroglios", including the NetServ scandal, the Cement Fiasco, and the Cuban light bulb scandal. The cable goes on to state that "despite all the innuendos, and accusations, Paulwell has never been charged with a crime."
You have to be a little bit careful with Wikipedia! It is not necessarily accurate and articles in it can be "bagged" by those with an agenda. There they sit, and are accepted as gospel by the average reader. So for instance it could be (and I stress the word "could") that certain folks in the USA establishment do not like Mr. Paulwell's views, and think it would be better if he were to be discredited.
DeleteGreat to see and hear from Stuart. He is looking really well.
ReplyDeleteYeh, nice to see him calling a spade a spade. Good on him we need more to grow a back bone : )
DeleteIf we needed any clear proof that Jersey and its electoral process does not warrant a clean bill of health then this may be gleaned from the simple fact that Stuart Syvret feels in fear of standing for election; and the further disgusting fact that the equally brave, honest and talented champions of justice Trevor and Shona Pitman actually remain illegally banned from standing for nine years. But will the Observers speak out against all of this given the implications regarding the Jersey Establihment? I would say don't hold your breath.
DeleteHow can the Pitmans be banned from standing for election for nine years? Their bankruptcy has been discharged so barring them as you claim would have no grounding in law. I think you are making this up.
DeleteAnonymous.
DeleteYou are both right and wrong.
Contray to your post the Pitmans are banned from standing for election for nine years. This has been highlighted previously being due to a law invented soon after the war. But one not then applied to Constables.
Perhaps your confusion emanates from the JEP misleading people that the ban was only for five years?
On the second point you are quite right.
This nine year ban is wholly illegal being in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Unfortunatly the British government and our glorious Queen allows Jersey to ignore the ECHR at will whenever it wishes.
Hope this helps clarifies matters.
People have short memories, Stuart Syvret's lost the last 2 elections.
DeleteSo what. He might win one now if allowed. And the Pitmans never lost their seats via the public. Get over it. We need people with backbone.
DeleteDoubt it, the Media would drag up his past like a bad egg if he stood again.
DeleteThough I think it would be better if we heard from the Pitmans and Syvret whether they wanted to stand again before debating this so much.
"People have short memories, Stuart Syvret's lost the last 2 elections."
DeleteYes, after the ongoing hatchet job by the JEPaedo and peple like you @11:50
Prior to that (Mr Short-Memory) he topped the poll several times and if this democracy worked he would have been chief minister and this child abuse business would have been sorted rather than festering on and on
How does one contact these people? Someone has a report to hand to them about a candidate, really? Yes.
ReplyDeleteOh really, how do you contact these people? Stuart only included the email adress a few times. nearly died when I saw that
DeleteThat's right, a gmail address, I wonder whose it is. CPA were in the island for the youth parliament but they usually use their cpa email address.
DeleteThe fact that eleven of twelve Constables have already been elected unopposed should see a damning report by the observers in itself.
ReplyDeleteChuck in the outrage that we can't even vote for people we might want to such as Trevor, Shona and Stuart and the observers really should be calling for a UK invstigation and direct intervention.
Unlikely.
DeleteIts not unusual for people to stand unopposed and all current Laws in Jersey are approved by the UK Privy Council including Election Law, which stops people with certain backgrounds standing.
Exactly 11:01. Which demonstrates the lie peddled by the Jersey Establishment that the UK has no involvement in and no power over the Crown Dependencies. In fact, the UK authorities are constantly involved with Jersey affairs, even to the point of approving obviously absurd 'laws' and helping the Crown Dependencies pretend their laws are ECHR compliant when they plainly aren't.
DeleteWere the Crown Dependency of Jersey really 'independent' there would zero, absolutely zero, involvement of any UK authority what so ever in the affairs of the island. But instead everything, every significant thing, every little thing, goes through London, and is rubber stamped by the 'friends-at-court-at-whitehall'.
It is actually good that this ridiculous dichotomy exists. For as long as this unstantainable 'two-faced' stance persists, any and all intelligent people who take an interest in such maters immediately see clearly the lies engaged in by both Jersey and Whitehall. The have-your-cake-and-eat-it position of the Jersey mafia and their captured regulatory protectors in London is laughable.
Kilbrandon Reader.
My understanding is that Jersey is responsible directly to ERII but that she has delegated her powers to UK Minister of Justice for convenience. Presumably nothing to stop her taking them back or acting unilaterally should she wish to do so which no doubt she doesn't.
DeleteFoolish comment at 11.01.
DeleteWhilst people with 'certain backgrounds' are debarred form standing for election in all countries the UK certainly does not prevent people in the Pitmans situation from standing for election.
If anyone in the UK looked at the election law conveniently being used to keep high profile critics of the Establishment like the Pitmans from standing when made back in the 1940s - simultaneously allowing any bankrupt Constable by contrast to stand regardless they would have been hugely at fault.
The Pitmans ban and the hanging threat of similar bankruptcy to Syvret is quite appalling. If The Mission Observers do not comment on this and call for its rectification then we know they are, as someone has already claimed, doing nothing more than going through the motions.
But to look at it from a different angle to normal. I would like to be able to vote for either of the Pitmans. I would like to be able to vote for Syvret. But I cannot. So what about the abuse of my rights?
If the Justice is so corrupt.... biased.... criminal..... etc etc etc etc then excuse me for asking why the Pitmans and Stuart Syvret bothered to take it on in the first place, if they knew it would only be a road to a beating?
DeleteThink it is called principles.
DeleteAnonymous at 11.01 writes: "Its not unusual for people to stand unopposed"
DeleteI beg your pardon, I think you will find that it is very unusual.
Applied to the UK the ratio of 11 elected unopposed out of 49 members in the island's parliament would give 145 MP's elected to the House of Commons.
If that were ever to happen there would be universal outrage and condemnation, and the situation would be tackled pretty darned quick.
When does Stuart need the info by? It already went to the secretariat, but maybe he would like to spell it out to them.
ReplyDeleteAnn Southern spoke well today.
ReplyDeleteOnly a few days to go to another new States. Hope Reform do well just for putting out a proper manifesto and not sinking to the dirty tricks of the Establishment 'independents'.
ReplyDeleteSo as he scuttles off in to otherwise obscurity after 30+ years of no achievement (other than free prescriptions for millionares and NO immigration policy) Senator Paul 'I don't know' Routier deliveres one more kick in the goolies for ordinary islanders. With the support of course of the cowardly hypocrit Gorst. He changes the law without it going to the States so that Russian oligarchs and their ilk can now buy any property they want to develop for peasants. So quickly taking over and inflating the housing market. Please, please, please do NOT vote for Gorst this Plastic Jerseyman has betrayed this island.
ReplyDeleteCould not agree more.
DeleteBut it get's even better (not)giving the super wealthy the right to buy further properties without any clear dictum that the developments MUST be linked to the affordable market this is simply a licence to print money for the rich.
Why? because we do not have a capital gains tax, and the ruling that the HVR must carry out any development via a company can only be described as a joke as the eventual 'profits' still go back to the HVR and with (as always) a clever accountant in tow no tax will be applicable.
Thanks Paul!!
And this is why a single Minister should never ever be allowed to sanction this kind of decision without debate.
An extraordinary decision by Routier. The new States should reverse it immediately. Who will bring the proposition? Will the COM?
DeleteIf the Electoral Observers are reading this please note I would like to vote for Trevor Pitman should he wish to stand.
ReplyDeleteI can't so my right to vote for whoever I like are being abused by Jersey's judicial gangsters.
Are you just going to look the other way?
Thought so.
Electoral monitoring my arse.
ReplyDeleteIan Gorst has been Chief Minister from 14th November 2011. that is more than seven years ago.
The benchmark is simple for my family, as leader of the Government has Jersey become a fairer happier better place to live in the last seven years since Ian Gorst was made Chief Minister ? Has the Government he leads been open and honest with islander residents ? Has quality of life including your disposable income increased ?
Has the man who brought a successful proposition to introduce the collective responsibility system in 2014 for minister, plus signing off ministerial decisions led to more democracy and more accountability and transparency in the Government ?
Has Senators Gorst enthusiastic support for SDC made the waterfront a better or worse place and were the office blocks ever needed at all ?
How much tax do they pay to help the Government balance it's books ?
His election on line leaflet will tell you,
" My focus has always been on improving the lives of Islanders".
You have failed miserably for us Senator Gorst, as taxes increase as do parking and all the other user pays charges including those in the pipeline once the elections are over hit us. Still you subsidise banking.
I'll be voting for four senators and you will not be one of them.
I wonder if Assistant Ministers breaking the Code of Practice for Ministers and Assistant Ministers during an election falls under their radar?
ReplyDelete22. During an election period (normally being between the nomination meetings and the electigon of the last Minister into office), Ministers retain executive responsibilities, and the essential business of government must be carried on. However, they should observe discretion in initiating any new action of a continuing or long-term character; and decisions on matters of policy on which a new Council or Minister might be expected to want the opportunity to take a different view should be postponed where possible, provided that such postponement would not be detrimental to the Island’s best interests or wasteful of resources. Furthermore, Ministers should apply sensible restrictions on the publicity they issue in connection with their role as a Minister during this period. This all applies to Assistant Ministers in so far as the principle of collective responsibility applies to them, as outlined in paragraph 5.
Now Senator Routier within collective responsibility has made a significant change to the HNWI giving them free access to the Jersey local housing market.
With some of them being 'cuddly and warm' individuals I am sure they will not take advantage of this to turn a profit on rentals etc and only pay 1%........surely?
It is inconceivable that assistant Chief Minister Paul Routier signed off the latest house purchase rules, which have been further relaxed to enable super-rich immigrants to develop more properties without Gorst and other ministers knowing judging by ministerial rules and protocol.
ReplyDeleteThere is a very bad smell coming from this all " kept very quiet " signed off, by one man's signature behind closed doors. Clearly other ministers were involved and new. Drain the swamp at election time.
Code of Conduct and Practice for Ministers and Assistant Ministers (“the Code”)
1.
Whether in person or through their Assistant Ministers, Ministers have a duty to the States Assembly to account for matters for which they are responsible, including for the policies, decisions and actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.
7.
It is the responsibility of the proposing Minister to ensure that a matter is brought before the Council, and to have discussed the matter with other relevant Ministers in advance of the Council meeting, including having attempted to resolve any policy differences with those Ministers before the matter is considered by the Council. Wherever possible, these discussions should take place through ministerial groups established by the Council to provide the fullest opportunity for policy matters to be considered.
https://statesassembly.gov.je/AssemblyReports/2015/R.11-2015.pdf
This should be investigated by the new Assembly. In my opion Routier and Gorst should be banned from ever standing for election again. The decision and how it was made absolutely sucks. To think as observed earlier good, honest people like the Pitmans cannot stand for election and we are denied the chance to vote for them. Yet our Chief Minister can look the other way while Routier does this. Like the poster above says please do not use one of your votes on Gorst. He cares nothing for Jersey's people.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't we just invite P+utin over to make us a right wing Russian satelite? The poor and middle earners count for nothing in Jersey now.
DeleteThis so called ministerial decision should be immediately rescinded by the incoming Government.
DeleteJust three days to go thank heavens and then we can start to face up to the fact that the new muppets are just bad and useless as the old bunch. Just pray Higgins gets in. The island's political conscience in a sea of uncaring indufference.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is that your smarter and more engaged young people will leave. I suspect most of 'emo already have left, to be bluntly and brutally honest.
ReplyDeleteJersey was never a particularly hospitable place for anyone with ideas, creativity, idealism, or anything outside of the 'if you don't like it, there's a ferry in the morning!' (one decent record shop and no decent book shops at all as of 1998, when I lived there, IIRC), but it seems to be worsening day by day.
Even worse now. Only one half-way decent record shop although they will order things quickly for you.
DeleteA good book shop in Waterstones.
But only ONE good politician left in the States brave enough (Higgins) to take on the judiciary ruining this island without ever bothering to get elected.
Don't blame you for leaving.
You have to laugh. Yesterday the JEP (almost twice the price of five years ago and half as many pages?) were in the running to win an award for their front page on the child abuse scandal they helped trash for years. Not forgetting their horrible abuse of the Pitmans. Today they actually want our help to win another award for their alleged campaigning. The sooner the last few people stop buying and let it go bust the better. But where will they publish their faked political letters then?
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more Anonymous. In fact what they published was harrowing stories heard at the Care Inquiry from victims whose very sad stories were not believed (as indeed not were supportive politicians and police officers) by the very paper we are talking about. The only campaigning that was done was to get the investigation trashed and destroyed. Those who took a great interest in this sad and sorry affair from the start have long memories. it took a robust Inquiry by outsiders to finally get the truth out there, and people complain about the cost!! You can't put a price on truth.
Delete
ReplyDeleteThis came from an employee of the JEP. No permission so no name. The JEP has developed, partly due to its island position, technology that allows a template or script to be internet forwarded to a printing facility therefore saving on transport costs. It hopes to sell this technology in many countries.
So you have a newspaper office ( somewhere ) and a unit with printing press and parking for delivery vehicles in a different place maybe a different country.
Next step is to sell off the large five Oaks site for housing which must be worth millions.
With the recent increase in the cost of the paper, this will only reduce the circulation figures, and increase the speed of its demise.
You read it on VFC first.
Fascinating. Sounds like even Basil Ratty's multiple purchases with his unemployment benefit cheque won't be enough to keep the Rag going? What wiil he do with his badly written fake letters? Suppose it will still provide wrapping for his stable diet of chips!
Delete"technology that allows a template or script to be internet forwarded to a printing facility" Its called email! Wonderful invention when its used correctly but most often abused.
ReplyDeleteOn a more positive note I had a brain wave the other idea on how to increase sales of the rag dramatically if only there were someone forward thinking enough to take me up on the idea. Simply print it directly on to your toilet paper. When you have a young family as I do getting through a roll a day is never an issue so a daily download sounds like an ideal solution to me.
Whats the betting on all the usual suspects going completely silent online after tomorrow's result no matter what the results are????
ReplyDeleteOf course, a few people have said they will get away from online political debate on the 16th May.
DeletePlease remember it is not too late to spoil your paper
ReplyDelete#fakedemocracy
Any thoughts on who will be the winners and losers?
ReplyDeleteEarly indications are that Reform Jersey has a lot of support.
DeleteBut not in St. Saviours it seems?
Delete
ReplyDeleteReckon Sam Mezec, Montford Tadier, Carina Alves and Rob Ward ( Reform Jersey) are strong candidates
and should do well.
Any clues as to how the Senators might turn out? Dissapointing news on the first two Reform candidates. Fingers crossed for better things to come.
DeleteJuliette Gallichan loses her seat! At least that is one big-headed, useless head-nodder gone. Shame Lewis has got back though. And a Perchard too!
ReplyDeleteOh how Reform Jersey need the Pitmans.
ReplyDeleteGreat that Higgins got in though.
With the St Helier 2 result the only bright spot tonight so far.
Sam Mezec needs to win big in St Helier, St Saviour, St Brelade and St Clement now.
Good luck young man.
St. Helier No 2 is ten years ahead of the rest of Jersey politically. Unfortunately by the time the rest catch up we will be fcuked.
ReplyDeleteAs a resident of St Peters, I could not agree moor.
DeleteMezec should still do it via the urban parishes. But if St Helier doesn't come out to vote for him they deserve all they get.
ReplyDeleteSt Helier 1 was a shocker. How could Martin and Lebey join forces with Wickenden? The bloke has done nothing.
Reform paying the price because of Southern/Tadier - who should know better - and Mezec to a lesser a degree of putting a good load of candidates out but far, far too late because nobody knew them.
ReplyDeleteFergusson will do well in St. Brelade. Sam needs a huge vote in St. Helier and I worry he won't get it. If it is neck and neck in St. Saviour it is all over.
ReplyDeleteHow can Saint Lawrence not have announced yet or has my radion gone gaga. Are they busy rubbing out certain votes?
ReplyDeleteReckon the election has been abandoned. They just can't be bothered to tell anyone. But please somebody tell me this. How can a little island take this long to count such few votes?
DeleteSam needs to win St Saviour and St Helier or it is all over. What has gone wrong? A year ago sam was going to be the next big thing? Is it a behind the scenes establishment dirty tricks campaign or did Reform get over optimistic? A very strange night. And morning! Meant to be up for work in four hours!
DeleteEven the BBC are unconsciously yearning for the halycon days of 2008 when politics had bite and different perspectives. On their news pages with a story about the changing States they have a picture of the Chamber featuring ex-Deputy Shona Pitman at the forefront. If only..................
ReplyDeleteWell after the next vote whoever it is we will know the answer. I think 1400 votes is just too much to pull back now. Hope I am wrong.
ReplyDelete5th not good enough in St saviour. He needs a miracle in St Helier. Come on Sam. If he can't do it a big backward step for party politics which would be a tragedy.
DeleteA big wake up call for Sam. He needs a bit of humility now. But well done anyway. Hope he hasn't had a heart attack. Talk about getting the winner in Fergie time!
DeleteOnly 5 out of 18 for Reform Jersey with Sam barely making it is not an endorsement of party politics.
ReplyDeleteSo should they stay as a Party?
Well They have increased the number of seats from 3 to 5 first of all meaning they now own approx 10% of the states vote if they stay united.
DeleteSecondly Sam took a huge risk going for an Island wide mandate but did manage to pull it off by the skin of his teeth.
Thirdly previously unknown candidates standing against sitting deputies in many parishes is always going to be an uphill struggle.
This was neither a disaster nor a huge success but a small improvement on previous situation I feel. Sam and Reform should take comfort in that and look to see what can be learned and how to improve on that further next time. Ensuring continuity is now the key goal in my opinion. By that I mean that Reform need to encourage those that stood unsuccessfully this time to continue being active, to raise their profile at parish level by being involved in parish affairs. To lobby and challenge successful candidates when they get it wrong in the states. To lobby sitting members (particularly lazy establishment constables) to take on the big issues, and urge them to vote on them in the right way rather than simply for preserving the status quo. But most importantly to not give up. I would further urge any potential candidate for the next election to start this campaign process now as it takes much more time than the 8 weeks or so of a formal campaign after declaring and nominations.
JRCbean
But Reform Jersey as a Party would be banking on getting the support of another 20 independents to get things passed in the States to make the 25, and that is not going to happen.
DeleteI really do not know what the future is for Reform Jersey and whether they should stay as a Party. Every election Party Politics gets rejected so why bother forming them?
True to a point, but getting the support of 20 forward thinking independents is easier than getting 22. Many crucial votes have been that close in the past, so like I said its still some progress.
DeleteIt hasn't been rejected it just hasn't yet gained wide spread support, and I accept that we don't know that it will continue to gather support over time. But 5 candidates elected and Sam getting 11000 island wide votes is not a rejection by any means!
JRCbean
As got said on here many months ago Reform needed to get a profile for any new candidates and also, even more crucially IMHO, get a few already high prifile people such as former States Members on board.
DeleteA pause for reflection is needed now. Geoff Southern will always have a niche in St Helier 2 but he puts islanders off in droves further afield. The votes in district 2 were not even that good though I was chuffed for the Portuguese lady.
Sam Mezec needs to put aside his ego and start approaching any wiser, older heads that he can think of to join. Maybe even for someone else to become leader. The obvious one is the now oddly elusive former Deputy Pitman as we know Syvret would not join anything with Southern in it.
But where is Mr T? And is it true as I have been told that Sam just doesn't want to share the limelight even if it will benefit party politics?
When all is said and done though you have to give the chubby boy a big slap on the back. He got hammered across the Island but St Helier pulled him aboard the ship right at the last moment.
Lot of truth in the above. If Sam hadn't got that brilliant last ditch vote it would have been disaster for us. But what can you say about No 2 district? It is like little Cuba sitting next to the USA and putting up two fingers every time.
DeleteInteresting comments but with so many newbies in the States we don't know where this Government is going to go and whether any of the Independents are going to shine.
ReplyDeleteThe new Government has an obligation to deal with immigration, housing, the hospital, spending and cost of living like they said they were going to do in 2014, 2011, 2008, 2005....................and will again in 2022.
Reference comment at 10.58. Will anyone in the know please, please, please get in touch with Trevor Pitman and tell him to get his Bald Truth bonce back to the island and back in to the political arena. I know there is four years until the next election but there is clearly much to do after Reform Jersey not doing anywhere as well as we hoped. Luckily all was not lost and we made small steps forward. Sam getting in as Senator even in 8th place was an important success. But we do need quality and respected faces for next time. There is much you could do in those four years if you are reading this Trevor. We need you and Shona back and more besides. Sam if you are reading this I do hope the rumours that you have some issue with Trevor Pitman are untrue. The Left need the Pitmans back if they are in any way willing. All like-minded people now need to drop the Southern type of attacks and work together. That way come 2022 we can finally get the breakthought this year should have been.
ReplyDeleteWith a house of fresh faces, here is a thought for the day:
ReplyDelete"Although Jersey is a self-governing jurisdiction, which makes its own laws and sets its own tax rates and so forth – like a mini-nation state, – it is, effectively, a single-party state. 98% of political candidates run for office as so-called 'independents'.
How this manifests itself in practice is, of course, a de facto [ultra] Conservative Party – operating on a covert basis working to hidden agendas. Moreover – the ‘cultural’ resistance to political parties has been very carefully nurtured and promoted by the island’s media over the decades – particularly the Jersey Evening Post.
The reason for this is obvious to anyone upon a moment’s reflection.
With political parties the voting public actually have a clear choice concerning which political philosophy and manifesto of policies they will be governed by. The electorate has power.
And that is the very last thing that the Jersey oligarchy wants to see.
Voter power, you might think, is a very foundation stone of functioning democracy. But in Jersey it is viewed as though it were the second coming of Mikhail Bakunin.
Instead, in Jersey, people like me trawl around the election campaign trail – trying to sell our wares to the voters – usually on the basis of nothing more substantive than “Hey – I’m a nice guy – my great-uncle lived in this parish – and I like your pub - so please vote for me.”
In my case I like to imagine I offer a little more substance [mot this time, you little oik -or ever!], – but the net result of this approach to democracy is a legislature comprised of a disjointed, directionless rabble which possesses no electoral mandate for a particular political direction or programme of policies.
Such a lack of focus results in a “let’s make it up as we go along” approach to policy formation. Most members of the Jersey legislature, no matter how well intentioned, are just sitting around waiting to be led – waiting to be told what to do.
And it is into this policy vacuum that the winds of power rush ....."
It is yesterday's thought for the day
But like so much said by this man it is still good for today
and tomorrow .......when nothing has changed and people who should be in jail are still strutting the streets.
Delete"when nothing has changed and people who should be in jail are still strutting the streets." & imprisoning and threatening further imprisonment on the writer of that piece, and also threatening Pitman style bankruptcy on troublesome political opposition.
The CPA BIMR Election Observer Mission Jersey General Election preliminary report does not mention this little electoral issue.
However in their report there is a confirmation of what we and this blog have been saying for years:
https://cdn.vote.je/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/CPA-BIMR-Final_Preliminary-Statement.pdf
"....... However their work was hindered by an electoral system which remains overly complicated and cumbersome. Further areas of concern relate to the number of uncontested elections, the disparity in the equality of the vote across districts and parishes and the low voter turnout which arguably undermines the principle that the elections in Jersey are fully genuine. Improvements are needed to tackle the deficiencies in the regulatory framework, particularly in relation to campaign financing, political parties and the process for candidate nomination.”
And much else besides!
Deserves a blog surely?
I happen to be advised that the full report WILL touch the exclusion of opposition candidates to ease the challenge for the gangsters.
DeleteThe obstacle for Reform was the lack of other parties. It was like listening to the sound of one hand clapping. With one or two other formally set up parties some changes are very likely to materialise. Different hustings and media coverage for a start. 17 unmemorable sound bites, or three party leaders having a cut and thrust debate.......
ReplyDelete
DeleteInteresting comment @07:49
Reform Jersey is (and I suspect always will be) too left wing for the majority of Jersey voters.
It is unclear how far left Reform Jersey is, or would be if left to it's own devices, and if it maybe even has the capacity to become a centre party.
The far left need to absorb the fact that every time the fully socialist experiment has been run it has ended up as a tragedy. USSR, China, Vietnam, North Korea ........and most recently Venezuela. The former champions of Venezuela have gone rather quiet for some reason.
In all of these socialist utopias the bodies have piled high through a mixture of violence, imprisonment and economic collapse.
In all societies there is room for a balance of socialist policies but with this disastrous history only the criminally naïve are convinced by assurances of socialism being a guaranteed success when it is done "properly"
A nice idea that has proved again and again not to work.
A left wing party serves a purpose of partially balancing the right wing establishment, so perhaps a way forward is for the realistic centre (if it exists) to form a centre party which would have a fighting chance of governing in coalition with RJ.
A coalition majority is not going to happen any time soon unless it contests the 1/3 Constables Party and subjects the Crown Officers to the law.
The underlying problem here is that the Crown Officers ARE the law!
That is why both vulnerable children .....and let's face it, the rest of you, are screwed for years to come!
The RJ Manifesto scared people.
DeleteTalk of rasing tax is never a good move.
Any detached look at the staggering democratic steps forward in Venezuela during Chavez's time cannot fail to give credit where it is due. To anyone who has been there, as I have, it is the reason that Hugo Chevez is still loved by so many millions, even as they dispair at the failures of his successor.
DeleteWhat people also know and seals the dilema is that the still fragmented opposition who scream about abuses that in truth pale beside what the double act party sham of Copei and Action Democratica inflicted for generations want only a return to the country's oil wealth being for the benefit of the oligarchs and their American chums alone who control the food shortages in the hope of bringing the country to its knees.
The undoubted murder of Chavez by the USA is one of the great tragedies of modern times. Chavez's biggest mistakes after the American supported coup were to think he had to try and do it all himself, and not develop a strong core of others who could succeed him when the inevitable happened. This led to yrt another level of chancers replacing the old one.
I would nevertheless strongly suggest anyone not being fully aware of the Venezuela situation watch the award winning Irish documentary The revolution will not be televised.
Actually Chavez's other huge mistaken was granting clemency to the cowardly scum who tried to murder him in 2002. Why can't the USA keep its dirty paws out of other countries who don't want to be Washington Consensus poodles? Then again maybe in time with Britain falling apart at the seams before too long Trump will decide a Jersey takeover is long overdue? I suppose the Constables would kiss the Big Tnagerine's arse too?
The person attacking the political abuse of true socialist principles - i.e. democracy and fairness - really ought to have saved a bit of criticism for how well things have gone globally under free-market capitalism.
DeleteMore democratic countries invaded, governments toppled since 1945 then at any point in history. Oppression both military and the old favourite 'material sanctions'. Intimidation, bullying and even as someone points out the sponsored murder of elected leaders like Allende and Chavez. No doubt Morales will be next.
Yes free-market 'democracy' is really great.
And I didn't eve mention our little Jersey and the illegal de-barring of opposition political figures!
A little something to cheer Sam up in his travails.
ReplyDeleteAt least he got it right on the ball with J Haworth, now effectively endorsed by the Commissioner for Standards and the States.
Link
And he got in with a 50% increase in States representation for the party. But as pointed out above, there are lots of serious issues now to be faced.
Going from 3 to 5 isn't 50% but it is still a small step forward. One of those serious issues must now be to mend some bridges. This Reform Jersey are not big enough yet by a mile to win on its own. Time for Sam to put Geoff in the cupboard with his boasting and rudeness and make a few concillitary phone calls. That way we can grow. Monty needs to up his game too. 47 votes keeping him above a third rate candidate who was shocking at the hustings should have alarm bells ringing.
Delete13 Deputies failed to get elected and Sam held on for his life until the end.
DeleteLets not kid ourselves.
"3 to 5 isn't 50%"
DeleteIndeed not, but I think Póló was giving a representative conversational figure.
Póló rather understated RJ's success.
3 to 5 is actually just in excess of a 66% increase and is therefore a major success for RJ.
Only a "thick Jon" would claim otherwise.
Getting to be a minor influence but well short of being in a position to form a coalition government.
Not a patch on the unelected Constables' Party yet.
PS. Sam has gone up considerably in my estimation for calling a spade a spade.
DeleteThere is hope for the boy yet.
Thanks for the link Póló !
By your reckoning if 1 seat changes to 2 then it would be a 100% increase.
DeleteIf people believe after all the work RJ did, the Facebook sponsorship campaign, the videos, the glossy leaflets and the Posters everywhere, that 2 extra seats gained in St Helier Number 2 is a triumph then I dread to think what they see a failure as.
Anonymous @ 14:20
DeleteThanks for coming to my rescue there while I was on the road. I had the calculator part of my brain already switched over to miles (on UK roads) and kilometers (on my dashboard) as I was rushing out the door. But I wanted to get the link up.
Indeed 66% or even 67% if you round to the nearest %.
Anyway, I can report progress from my post already. Apparently Jon has reported me to the police, SOJP I assume. I wonder if they'll be any quicker on this than they were on many of Stuart's complaints or even those of Shona Pitman where they really distinguished themselves.
Yes, by my reckoning if 1 seat changes to 2 then it would be a 100% increase.
DeleteThat is how maths works.
"I dread to think what they see a failure as" -Yes dread indeed. The failure to comprehend the most basic mathematics!
When I want your advice/opinion on *anything*, I will ask for it.
Your readers comments on certain events are most interesting.
ReplyDeleteOnce again you are doing excellent and essential public-interest journalism - in stark and internationally noted contrast with Jersey's intellectually and ethically bankrupt heritage media.
Alas - I cannot comment on these important issues. Jersey's ruling oligarchy would imprison me again. In worse and more brazen ways than Putin does with his dissidents in Russia.
And I cannot explain the public-interest facts behind that situation. Because Jersey's ruling oligarchy would imprison me again. In worse and more brazen ways than Putin does with his dissidents in Russia.
But I can say this: "hear that train a-coming".
Stuart Syvret
A good number of comments have been submitted regarding Polo's latest Blog. They have been forwarded on to Polo who will decide whether to publish them, or not, on his Blog.
ReplyDeleteAny comments regarding Polo's Blog please leave them there.
Thank you for your understanding.
Thank you Voice.
DeleteI have published some 19 comments on my post so far on the basis that they are relevant and constructive.
I have withheld about 30 so far which I judge to be from Jon himself. These are either outrageous, insulting, containing bad language, or directly threatening myself or others.
I am retaining these and will likely deal with them in a follow up omnibus post on my blog. I have no intention of allowing them to contaminate my current post and thereby limit is useful circulation including among the relevant authorities.
I will include consideration of any comments you forward me insofar as they may differ from what Jon has left directly on my own post. Jon, as we know by now, is more of a blunderbuss than a sniper, and his footprints are all over the place.
People may recall that it was because of Jon, and his insulting addenda to a post I did on Bob Hill's stroke, that I had to start moderating my blog which had been un-moderated since its inception in 2005.
I am quite happy to accept bona fide criticism but I will not have my hard work polluted by this person. My apologies to anyone I may have blocked in error but, as I already explained in the moderation tab on my blog, I am going to err on the side of caution.
Finally, Voice, my apologies for all the trouble my post has brought to your fine blog and your own moderation efforts. I know you have your hands full in your public service blogging not to mention presumably in your real life.
New post election post time? Did the Election Observers grant you an interview perhaps? Did you even ask them for one? Who will be the new pretend Chief Minister under the Bailhache brothers?
ReplyDeleteNice to Stuart saying: "hear that train a-coming", again. There was always going to be light at the end of tunnel for him and he seriously deserves it.
ReplyDeleteBreaking news, Lyndon Farnham will announce tomorrow that he has not got enough support to stand for Chief Minister, looks like a straight fight between Gorst and Le Fondre.
ReplyDeleteAnother scoop VFC that you broke before the mainstream media!
DeleteI have done the post on Jon's comments which I referred to above.
ReplyDeleteLink
Here's a 15 sec video clip of an interview with Senator-Elect SAM MEZEC. Full interview to be published tomorrow.
ReplyDelete