Chief Minister John Le Fondre
Since Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondre, was elected earlier this year, VFC has been trying to secure an interview with him. Because of logistics it was not able to happen until a couple of days ago. (Tues 11 Set 2018). This is the first in-depth video interview he has given since his election.
The Chief Minister had generously put aside 45 minutes (of his very busy schedule) for our interview. Unfortunately because the States meeting, on Tuesday, ran over time in the morning, his schedule was a little put out but was still able to afford us 20 minutes for the (two part) interview and for that we are grateful.
As the interview was conducted during the States meeting lunch break it was not known at this stage that the current Bailiff WILLIAM BAILHACHE was to announce his retirement. However as we are committed to seeing the recommendations of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry (IJCI) implemented, we did quiz him about RECOMMENDATION 7 which deals with "The Jersey Way" and the position of Bailiff.
Former Police Chief Graham Power QPM
We thank the Chief Minister for his support of Citizens Media and of our Blog (more in part two of interview).
Part 1 (of 2)
After watching that I dunno why you bothered.
ReplyDeleteI think a referendum on the future of the Bailiff is problematic as it allows the status quo the opportunity to remain, and, by offering it as an option, it endorses the role.
ReplyDeleteCarswell, Clothier, the Care Inquiry and others all conclude the Bailiff's position as presiding officer of the States Assembly should end and site very good reasons for it. Hard core traditionalists don't like what they're hearing and insist it goes to a referendum in the knowledge that the voting demographic tend to be traditionalist. Assuming they win then any future discussions on the Bailiffs role can be met with the chant 'this was the people's choice'.
To me it's like this- there is a bad thing, it get's recognised as a bad thing. Some powerful people want to keep the bad thing. Instead of getting rid of the bad thing, they say "OK- you can choose between a bad thing and a new thing." By saying this it makes it look like the bad thing isn't bad.
Le Fondre should record that old Carly Simon song and tweak it: 'I'm so vain'. No change will be happening under this wet blanket I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteSince Le Fondre has been in power there has not been so much happening for a long time. Is this due to Le Fondre being such a good leader? Or is it due to saturation point?
ReplyDelete2019 - I'm yet to make a decision on that one, I will come back to you.
ReplyDelete2020 - I'm yet to make a decision on that one, I will come back to you.
2021 - These things take time and I don't want to make a decision until I know all the facts, I so will come to you.
2022 - What was the question again?
2019 - I'm yet to make a decision on that one, I will come back to you.
ReplyDelete2020 - I'm yet to make a decision on that one, I will come back to you.
2021 - These things take time and I don't want to make a decision until I know all the facts, so I will come back to you.
2022 - What was the question again?
Sad but true.
DeleteHope VFC pushes for answers to the questions but don't hold your breath, Le Fondre is well known for his slowness and some predict it will be his downfall.
Delete the first one.
ReplyDeleteJohn Le Fondre is either stupid or acting in a purposefully acting stupid - The role of Bailiff is not independent.....I've personally seen William Baillhache stop very simple valid questions being asked by States Members to Ministers regarding a States Quango (which were totally within the rules of standing orders).
ReplyDeleteThe role of Bailiff in the island simply needs more in-depth studies to detail hard facts - no one will ever understand the conflicts of the role in its current format unless a case study is carried out and people come forward to bring forward their arguments and then it being documented .
What the Bailiff does is sure that the courts and legislature dont do anything silly like upholding a human right breach or allowing corruption court cased to be heard in our courts of the prosecutory authorities, the police, or any government ministerial departments - They just make sure that corruption can thrive and make sure that the courts stop any due process of it coming to light of the public . That is the role of the current Bailiff and always has been .
Shame you did not put Le Fondre on the spot about the Election monitoring board findings from May because this is another thing that will be kicked in to the long grass and forgotten about unless people make some noise.
DeleteThe Chief Minister comes across as high intellect and balanced. On the Bailiff issue he misses the main point of the care enquiry's recommendation 7. He talks about reality. The Enquiry wrote [in bold] about *perception*, their point being that no matter how fair or otherwise the present justice system was, there was a widespread belief that it was unfair and a lack of public confidence in its integrity. Those in power cannot just keep telling people that they are wrong. In these things perceptions matter.
ReplyDeleteAnybody watched them embarrassing CTV interviews on the COM's favourite TV programmes, who they would invite to dinner and places to visit? Gut wrenchingly cheesy cringe worthy BS because who cares, who gives a ***k as to who they would have for dinner, are they really that important, of interest to the rest of us mortals?
ReplyDeleteGet on with the job of running the Island you morons, you are not celebrities or appearing on BB. Nobody cares whether you like Corrie, or love Corbyn, the rest of us have lives to get on with....
Lighten up.
DeleteWhether you loved them or hated them it is now, more than ever, dazzlingly clear that without the quality of a Le Brocq, a Syvret or a Pitman (both) the issues that are fundamentally rotten in our system will be ignored. Not just by the poodles that have always made up the majority of the States but even the would-be progressives.
ReplyDeleteReaders might be interested in subscribing to the Chief Minister's Youtube channel? He publishes regular Vlogs which can be viewed from his channel HERE.
ReplyDeleteWell that's 5 minutes of my life I'll never get back.
DeleteWhy are you kissing Le Fondre's ass so much?
He is old VIC, like the Bailhaches, remember it.
Philip bailache is not N old v and probably nor is his brother
DeleteWell from that Vlog John Le Fondre clearly supports the role of the Bailiff and praises Bailhache for all his work over the years.
DeleteAnd that’s 10 secs of mine ... why don’t you get your facts right and are you always so negative
ReplyDeleteOnly just had the opportunity to watch this interview, and in all honesty I am still unable to decide one way or another what my thoughts on the new CM are. Maybe part two will reveal more of the man. I feel he is being very cautious and two sayings spring to mind - 'act in haste, repent at leisure' or more haste less speed'. No bad thing in theory, but he does need to be a bit more high profile and proactive now. Look forward to the next episode to see if he is more enlightening.
ReplyDeleteYou are kidding yourself if you think John Le Fondre will be different to any of his predecessors.
DeleteCan't seem to sign into Blogger but hope to publish part two of interview tomorrow.
DeleteVFC.