Why Blog?

The question "why do people Blog"? has been asked many times by many people including our local BBC. I can only speak for myself but know others Blog for the same reason.

It is widely believed we have a very partisan media over here. We also have, what has been described as, "an elected dictatorship" with none of our elected "representatives" being accountable to anybody for any thing.

Senator Stuart Syvret on his Blog http://stuartsyvret.blogspot.com/ has been publishing items one would believe would make headline news. The internet is full of stories ranging from alleged establishment spin doctors bullying, progressive, senatorial candidates mothers at hustings, to senoir civil servants being served with a notice of disclosure and indeed has named this civil servant in the States sitting which went out live on local BBC radio.

I have been trying to find out if what Senator Syvret is claiming has any truth to it regarding the name of the civil servant allegedly being served with this notice of disclosure. I have gone through, what I believe to be the correct channels in order to do this. I have e-mailed the civil servant directly, I have phoned the civil servant, in order to meet with him/her, not been able to talk to him/her and up to now have only spoke to his/her secretary who up to now will not reply to my request for a meeting.

I have e-mailed the minister responsible for this civil servant to ask if there is any truth in Senator Syvret's allegations, have phoned the minister and have attempted to engage with this minister only to be told "we have a duty of care to our employees" and the minister has made a complaint of harrassment against me.

I have been "forced" to take my concerns to the local media, namely the local BBC. It appears they see nothing in my experiences that deserves to be in the public domain. The fact a Senator and father of the house makes these truly frightening allegations I attempt to find out, through the correct channels, if there is any truth to them and for my troubles? a charge of harrassment made against me!!

So why Blog? well what other choice is there? do I want to be Blogging? hell no! I am living in constant fear, like many others, because I have dared to speak out and share my experiences in the hope others will know they are not alone with the same or similar experiences.

I am no Journalist in fact far from it! so therefore am not familiar with libel laws and everything else that goes with publishing stories/experiences on the internet. I am a father trying to protect his children. It turns out in order to do this I have to run the gauntlet of libel, defemation and harrassment laws.

It has become increasingly apparent if you want any answers to legitimate questions that might reassure you you're children are safe under the "care" of this goverment you'd better be ready to face prosecution, with no help from certain parts of our local media. Indeed having to go to the local media in the first place shouldn't have to be an option, if we had an open and transparent government who put the "duty of care" to the people who elected them and their children before the "duty of care" to their employees there would be no need to involve any media including Blogging.

I am merely a product of my enviroment, this government has propelled me into a position I have absolutely no wish to be in. I believe by being forced to Blog my experiences I have/will become "an enemy of the State" and now an enemy of the local media. I have no wish to be an enemy of anybody least of all such powerful organisations. But it appears my choices are shut your mouth and bury your head in the sand and everything will be rosy, or stick your head above the parapitt and risk having it shot.

In order to prove I believe I have been forced to Blog my latest experiences I shall re-produce my e-mail correspondance with a prominant local BBC Journalist. I don't even know if I am allowed to publish the journalists name as his/her position is not paid for by the electorate/taxpayer. None the less I hope it will prove I have tried to bring this into the public domain without having to Blog about it.

The E-mails.

Dear sir/madam

Thank you for returning my phone-call this afternoon and explaining to me why I am not allowed to repeat what Senator Syvret said in the states sitting yesterday, on the radio.
As I explained to you I was under the belief the BBC and myself were protected by "qualified privilege" and you have now explained to me that isn't the case.

I would very much like it made extremely clear I have no wish to defame anybody. I am merely a parent of two children under the "care" of the said department.
I suffer greatly with anxiety which is triggered greatly when I read and hear that a very prominent civil servant in the said department might be a suspect in an on-going child abuse investigation and nobody will either comfirm nor deny these allegations. One reason being "the States have a duty of care to their employees".

I believe the first "duty of care" should be for the children and indeed the parents of the children. I would like to offer you a news story, I believe deserves to be in the public domain.
It is my story of how a very anxious parent tries to get confirmation or denial of a senior civil servant who might be a suspect in child abuse. I have asked the particular civil servants secretary if I could have a meeting with the civil servant, I have e-mailed the civil servant, I have e-mailed and phoned the minister in charge of the department all to no avail.

As a very concerned parent I believe I should have the right to know if one of the people charged with the "care" of my child is a suspect in a child abuse case. I believe I should have the right to know if the states of Jersey have been issued with a notice of disclosure concerning the said civil servant.

All this has been denied me and possibly many others. Surely this deserves to be in the public domain?
I truly hope you will consider running this story as I believe it is a travesty, that a leading politician can make these allegations, which puts the fear of god into me. Only to discover it appears I have no right to know if his allegations are correct.

voiceforchildren.

Dear voiceforchildren

As I explained on the telephone, we have been working over a prolonged period of time to substantiate the allegations made in Senator Syvret's blog. To date they remain unsubstantiated.

In addresseing your personal concerns and anxieties, you may care to listen to Jersey Today tomorrow morning at five past eight, where we will be able to broadcast the results of our on-going work to date.

After our conversation today, we have again re-visited the story and we have been running the following story this afternoon:
Jersey police served a disclosure notice about a senior civil servant to his employers, as part of their inquiry into historic abuse.

Question were raised in the States yesterday over whether the senior civil servant should have been allowed to continue working.
A disclosure notice warns an employer that one of their employees is being investigated for alleged crimes -but does not imply guilt.

Roisin Gauson reports.
Yesterday in the States, Deputy Roy Le Herissier asked the Chief Minister what happened after the police issued a disclosure notice against one of Jersey's top civil servants.
He suggested such an employee should be suspended as a precaution, in a neutral manner which did not imply guilt.

The Chief Minister Senator Walker said he would not discuss individual cases but was satisfied the matter has been handled in the correct way.
Senator Stuart Svryet then used parliamentary privilege to name the civil servant in question.
Senator Svryet was reprimanded by the Deputy Bailiff who said he was well aware that he should not name individuals unless it was unavoidable.
You can hear more in tomorrow's Jersey Today, at five past eight.
Best wishes.

Sir/mamam

Perhaps I did not explain my situation thoroughly enough for you so I will try again.

Before I do that I would like to say I took your advice and listened to the today programme this morning. I am sorry to say I found it somewhat "hollow" or perhaps "shallow" and certainly nothing like "investigative". That is not a critisism it is merely constructive feedback from a listener with no journalistic qualifications.

However back to my "situation" It appears the local BBC and myself have the same problem. You have told me you have been either investigating or researching Senator Syvret's allegations concerning a very high ranking civil servant alledgedly being investigated for violent physical abuse on children.

Despite all your researching and investigating it appears you have only ever come across a brick wall and are unable to substantiate any of these claims.

Well you and I both! the severity of these allegations should not be underestimated nor "hushed up" The story I wish you to cover is exactly what you too appear to have experienced.

A democratically elected representative of the islands electorate informs his electorate that the very person trusted with the "care" of our children is (alledgedly) under investigation for serious violent abuse against children and if a parent, and now it would seem a journalist, were to ask for any kind of confirmation or denial of the allegations, ask why the said civil servant has not been named, why the civil servant has not been suspended, who decided the civil servant should not be suspended, how he/she came to the decision not to suspend the civil servant.

I am frantic with worry my children could be at huge risk if Senator Syvret's allegations have any truth to them at all. Nobody in Jersey will do anything to put my mind at ease, seemingly under the guise of "we have a duty of care to our employees". What about "the duty of care" to our children and the people of Jersey? Why does a parent not have the right to know whether their children are safe under the "care" of the States of Jersey?

As a proffessional Journalist, if you are telling me you see nothing here that deserves to be in the public domain, I can only see Blogging and citizen media, in a matter of time, becoming bigger and more popular over here and possibly becoming "mainstream".

On another note I was hoping to phone Roger Barra on the phone in today to unreservedly apologise for my comments yesterday and explain that I must have been ill informed with the "limitation of qualified privilige" and that now you have put me right. Could you tell me if I will be permitted to do this?

I trust and hope you can see a legitimate news item in my very worrying situation, which I'm sure is shared by many, many islanders especially parents.

voiceforchildren.

Dear voiceforchildren,

If you are concerend about the welfare of your children, you must contact the Education Department and or Social Services.

You are always welcome to offer yourself as a contributor to the BBC Jersey phone in and/or Talkback.

You can be assured we are working constantly on this issue and are devoting our investigative resources to the matters you raise.

We work closely with the BBC's legal department and at present they advise us it is "legally unsafe" to name the person in question.

Sir/madam

I can't but help think you might be taking the p1ss out of me. So I'll not waste too much more of both of our time and effort.

What I might suggest is you look over the e-mail correspondance between us where I have explained I have contacted the said department, the civil servant and more and have only come up against a brick wall. Which again is the story I would like the BBC to cover.

In order to prevent wasting any more of our time and effort. Could you explain to me as a proffesional independent journalist how you see nothing in our correspondance that deserves to be in the public domain?

voiceforchildren.

Sir/madam.

I understand you may be busy but I am still waiting for a reply and answer to my question(s) in my last e-mail to you (above).

On top of this Senator Syvret has posted on the internet that Jersey does follow England with the law of absolute privilege, and qualified privilige and claims the media are able to report the name of the civil servant. You have told me that Jersey does not follow England with this law. Could you please clear this up for me? in order to help me understand why the media will not name this civil servant.

And naturally I would like to know how you might see nothing in our correspondance that deserves to be in the public domain.

Dear voiceforchildren,

Thank you for your email.

If you are concerend about the welfare of your children, I strongly urge you to contact the relevant authorities. The BBC in Jersey cannot help with private matters between you, your children and the authorities.

I refer you to the BBC Producer Gudielines - avaialble online and in the public library with the regard to the reporting of parliament - like The States.

As I have explained previously, our lawyers have advised us it is "legally unsafe" to name the people involved.

This correspondence is now closed.

Yours sincerely

sir/madam

I am absolutely distraught you see nothing with my situation that deserves to be in the public domain. The fact that you have refused to give me direct answers to direct questions is also very concerning to me.

Our correspondance regrettably only adds fuel to the fire we have a partisan media over here which alarms me even more and leaves me no other option than to Blog about my experiences.

I am sure you are confident with your decision to close our correspondance and see nothing that desrves to be in the public domain from it. However I strongly disagree with you I am a parent frantic with worry and despite all my best efforts have only come up against brick walls from the States of Jersey and now the BBC.

Blogging is the only hope I have left

voiceforchildren.

I have done everything I can to conceal the identity of the said civil servant and the said journalist in order to avoid any kind of prosecution. Also as I am somewhat computer illiterate the paragraphs are not publishing with the same seperations I am writing them, I don't know how to remedy this but hope you the reader(s) can see past this.

Elections

I thought I'd just do a quick post after last night's elections. Unfortunately the result was of no real shock and indeed fairly predictable. That is to say the poor and working class did not come out and vote in significant numbers to make a difference.



The media are going to have their view as to why and how "the establishment" got back in and the rest of us are going to have another. One reason could be that the majority of the electorate are in fact demoralised, they believe they can't make a difference. A demoralised majority (non voting) electorate suits our establishment for as long as they continue not to vote. Make no mistake our "ruling elite" and it's media know there is discontent and unrest with "the peasants" and it is only a matter of time before they rebel and by that I mean start voting.



Citizen Mike Vibert should get a mention as should Senator Phillip (GST28) Ozouf as they have appeared on here in the run up to the elections.



Firstly citizen Mike Vibert. I heard him on the radio today trying to put some of the blame of him losing his seat down to hecklers at hustings. What is so tragic about that statement is I truly believe he believes it, he went on to say "there will be one or two members of that crowd that will be feeling pleased with themselves today".



Firstly I did, and many others, heckle citizen Vibert at the hustings, I also heckled Senator Phillip (GST28) Ozouf, Sarah (GST28) Ferguson, Alan (GST28) Maclean and they all kept their seats. I believe the statement "there will be one or two members of that crowd that will be feeling pleased with themselves today" could have been aimed at me.



To that I would say there's a good chance everybody in that crowd will be feeling a bit pleased with themselves today but not for the reasons citizen Mike Vibert might believe. Speaking purely for myself I believe he has failed our children and failed them miserably. He ran his department with only his and his civil servants interests at heart, regardless of any impact on the children or their families.



I have only asked citizen Vibert questions that any concerned parent should deserve an answer to in order to be assured he is, sorry was, providing their children with a safe place of learning. I was only ever fobbed off and met by a wall of secrecy. I was foced to phone him, and he would hang up the phone on me, I would e-mail him and he would not reply, I'd try and engage with him at hustings and he would tell me he has made a complaint of harrassment against me to the police.



Like I said earlier, the tragic thing is Citizen Vibert is apparently oblivious as to what impact his actions have on others and still seeks to blame others for his downfall. I am not "pleased with myself" in a way that I get satisfaction out of another man's downfall. I am just pleased my children are no loger under his "care" and I can't say I am pleased they are under the "care" of Mario Lundy either but more of that at a later Blog.



Now for Senator Phillip (GST28) Ozouf. He, like citizen Vibert and others, was heckled at hustings, and has been the subject of a couple of my Blogs. The difference between the Senator and ex Senator (on a personal note) is Senator Phillip (GST28) Ozouf sought to engage with me!



He chose to do that after a hustings one night when I was sat at a table in the local bar. I was sat with a group of "anti establishment" people. Senator Phillip (GST28) Ozouf came through from the other bar for whatever reason and spotted us. He had no hesitation in coming over to "the lions den" and said something on the lines of "I see I made it on to your Blog" (my last post). He opened up a dialogue with me and was ready to discuss ANY issue with me, didn't ignore me or threaten me with an harrassment charge.



I found, and have since found, him to be very aproachable and, on a strictly personal level, easy to get along with. On a proffessional level I totally disagree with his policies, his voting, his unsustainable population and economic growth policies and his taxing of the poor and needy in order to fatten up the already fat cats.



One must give credit where it is due, as a politician he is good, let's face it he kept his bl00dy seat!! I believe he is a good enough poltician to realize these elections were a warning shot across his bow, topping the poll in his last election and coming in fifth at this one, he has had to pull out all the stops to get re-elected and has had to work like probably never before to keep his job in the states.



He has told me he will give me an interview on camera (mind you that was before the election results) so I shall seek to hold him to that. But that will be after I have attempted to get an interview with one Terence (GST28) Le Main.



On that note, thanks to the people who have e-mailed me questions you want putting to him and if anybody has any more questions please e-mail them voiceforchildren@gmail.com



I won't analyse any more of the election results as the bottom line is, "the establishment" have won this battle, but the war has a long way to go!

Camera shy?

Here is my attempt in trying to engage with Senator Phillip (GST28) Ozouf. Again I know my technique is not that of any "proffessional Journalist" but quite honestly going by our local media I have no-one to learn from.



This latest bit of video is of myself trying to get one of our very "accessable" democratically elected "represenatives" to answer one pretty straight forward question. This particular clip was shot at the St Martin hustings where I believe the "establishment candidates" took a "severe beating".



Senator Phillip (GST28) who usually appears to be quite happy on camera for CTV and "local" BBC seems somewhat camera shy when it's anybody else behind the camera.


I can't prove we have a "partisan media" but it does add a little fuel to the fire when politicians, who are rarely off our telivision screens, refuse to answer a question from one of the people he is supposed to represent but appears quite happy to answer any questions from his, sorry our local media



Senator Phillip (GST28) Ozouf is telling, anybody that will listen, at the hustings that we need capable and experienced politicians to steer us through the tough economical times ahead. What he neglects to mention is Mike Higgins drafted legislation for bank depositers protection back in 2003. Our current crop of "capable and experienced" politicians have completeley ignored it for FIVE YEARS!!



I believe our current "ruling elite" are steering a ship fully loaded with greed, self preservation, taxes and policies to keep the rich rich and the poor poor and Senator Phillip (GST28) Ozouf is firmly at the helm and if he gets re-elected, when that ship hits the rocks, he and his fellow GST28 ship mates will all be in the liferafts, The rest of us? we'll all be floating around in the wreckage trying to salvage what pittens there might be left for us!



Anyhow enjoy the video and if anybody has a candidate they would like me to engage with on camera, let me know and I will see what I can do.

Open and transparent?

For those readers of this blog who live outside of Jersey and for any new readers. I hope this item might go some way to explain why our island has been qoted as "island of secrets" "culture of concealment and cover up" along with many more qotations along the same lines.





Senator Mike (GST28)Vibert is our minister for Education Sport and Culture. He is also a minister who voted For the regressive GST, he voted AGAINST exemptions on school books and school clothing. He also voted AGAINST free milk for our school children.





You might note by the e-mails below he is not in the business of putting a parents mind at ease and refuses to answer some very valid and frightening questions. The answers of which seriously do need addressing.





It is said here in Jersey we have "a very partisan media". It is believed our entire local media are extremely bias in favour of our "elected dictatorship" to the point our only local "news"paper is suspected of writing spoof letters in it's "letters to the editor" page to support our "ruling elite"





Our elected "representatives" claim they either are, or support, openness and transparency in our "elected dictatorship". So in order to give them this "openness and transparency" and to offer their electorate an "alternative media" I have taken my video camera to the hustings that are now taking place in the hope of getting an interview with sitting states members up for re-election.





I readily admit my technique of trying to obtain an interview might not be quite what it could. Hopefully I will be able to improve on that. By the same token I believe if our local media were doing a good job, people like myself wouldn't have to try and do it for them!





So below is my e-mail correspondance with Senator Mike (GST28) Vibert and my attempts to be given an interview. A couple of things need to be taken into account here. Nobody has , either the power or the willing, (to the best of my knowledge) to get any of my questions answered by him.





This man could get elected for another 6 YEAR term! One of his election slogans is "a safe pair of hands" well I'll let you, the reader(s) decide if that's an apt slogan. I prefer the slogan "a quick pair of feet"





I would also like to add I live in constant fear of the reprisals I might suffer for exposing our "ruling elite" I have edited the e-mails below, only taking out the names of the civil servants, although they have been published elswhere I am told I can be prosecuted for libel if I were to publish them. I don't want to break any laws I just want to expose the truth and bring a little accountability to those who have none.






Voiceforchildren.

You spoke to me at the St. Clement hustings yesterday evening about an e-mail you had sent to me. Unfortunately I have not received any such e-mail. I believe it may be being blocked by the States e-mail filtering system.
You intimated the e-mail concerned unacceptable behaviour by a former States employee. If you have any evidence of such then I suggest you contact the States of Jersey Police, as they are the correct authority to investigate any alleged unlawful conduct.








Mr.Vibert.
I have copied and pasted the e-mail for you below. I would very much appreciate if you could put my mind at least at a little bit of ease.
Personally I have no proof of any of the allegations. But the fact remains, either Senator Syvret, like yourself is a democratically elected senator and representative of the electorate, is a liar or fantasist, or his allegations do hold some merit. If it is the latter I have every reason to be concerned.
Here is the e-mail please don't "skate over" any of my truly frightening concerns.
Voiceforchildren.

The original e-mail.




Mr.Vibert.
After reading an article on Senator Syvrets Blogsite I have become even more horrified (if that's possible) as to the goings on in your department.
Senator Syvret claims the notorious "Pinball wizard" is none other than (an ex senior civil servant), who was employed during "your watch". If what has been published is correct this would indicate the said ex senior servant has participated in what would (or should) amount to physical, and possible, emotional abuse on minors and extra marital affairs.
Could I ask what you, or your department, are doing to look into these very serious and alarming allegations?
I have also read on various news articles on the web a current civil servant employed by E.S.C. not only worked at Haute De La Garrenne but has been interviewed by the police investigating alleged child abuse at the home.
Could you let me know if this civil servant was interviewed as a witness or a suspect? and is he/she indeed under any kind of investigation or suspicion by either yourself or the police?
As I have 2 children under the "care" of your department I hope you can appreciate my concerns.
Voiceforchildren.








Voiceforchildren.
I repeat, all allegations and any evidence to support them should be reported to the States of Jersey Police who are the only body authorised to deal with them and answer any of your queries.








Mr.Vibert.
I can not understand why the Minster for Education Sport and Culture can not (or will not) put a parent's mind at rest by either confirming or denying these frightening allegations?
Surely you would (or should) be in the ideal position to do this, as you are responsible for your department and it's employees. Further more I would have thought you would be very eager to put a parents mind at ease.
Also how do you deem it is my responsibility to inform the police of these allegations, surely if it's anybody's responsibility, it's your isn't it?
Voiceforchildren.








Voiceforchildren.
I do not know anything about these allegations. It is the responsibility and duty of anyone who believes they know anything that could be construed as unlawful to inform the Police of their concerns.








Mr.Vibert.
Although I asked you not to "skate over" any of my concerns perhaps I should have also asked you not to "completely ignore" my concerns as well.
The concerns you some how managed to "completely ignore" were the very valid and worrying ones of the current civil servant being (or not) interviewed by the police investigating the "alleged" child abuse at HDLG and other institutions within the states of Jersey "care" system.
For the avoidance of any doubt my questions are.
1) Was the current civil servant employed at HDLG?
2) If so, for what time period? and what was his/her job title?
3) Has the current civil servant been interviewed by the "historic" child abuse investigation team?
4) If so, was he/she interviewed as a witness or a suspect?
5) Are either yourself, the current civil servant, or anybody employed by E.S.C under any kind of suspicion (by the "historic" child abuse investigation team) for either participating in child abuse (physical, sexual, or emotional) or covering up for anybody who might have participated in any such heinous acts?
The current civil servant is also copied into this e-mail so I hope between the two of you, you will be able to put my mind at ease.
Voiceforchildren.








Voiceforchildren.
I have given you my reply previously. I consider this correspondence closed and will not be replying to any more e-mails on the subject

Senator Phillip (GST28) Ozouf and others.

Here is a little snippet I came across from the footage shot at the Senatorial nomination meeting last week. I thought Senator Phillip (GST28) Ozouf was all for transparency and oppeness but it appears not.

This piece was filmed at the town hall after the nominations when the candidates were invited into a room to discuss the hustings. It appears it was meant to be a "secret meeting", surely not! that isn't the Jersey way is it?

I will shortly be e-mailing all the candidates to offer them a chance to have some free publicity and agree to an interview. One would like to think they would jump at the chance...We shall wait and see! In the meantime please enjoy this latest offering.

A quick up date.

First of all I would like to thank everybody for the support they have shown my son and myself.


My son has now decided he wants to blog his story. I would like to make it perfectly clear (for reasons I am unable to go in to) that I will, in no way, be assisting him with the telling of his story.


As he has only just turned 15 and is not really up to speed with blogging my wife will be assisting him in every way she can.


As for the latest atrocity, MARIO LUNDY and Senator Mike (GST28) Vibert will not give me any answers to to my questions and the headmaster is now trying to tell me the "policy" that states I do not have the right to know the identity of my sons attackers, is actually a "data protection" law. More of that story when I have time to collate all the e-mail correspondance and put them together to be able to tell the story simply.


As my regular reader(s) will be aware I am embarking on a "news Blog". I have, not only the camera, the microphone, a cameraman, an assortment of consultants come researches, but the assurance from certain politicians they will give me an interview!!


Unfortunately Senator Mike (GST28) Vibert is not one of those politicians. I tried extremely hard to get an interview from him at the Senatorial nomination meeting the other night, but as you will see (soon I hope) he was very reluctant to agree to an interview. Indeed I believe he has inherited a bit of a tagline as "a safe pair of hands" although I believe "a quick pair of feet" would be more apt.


I have been playing around with some of the footage I shot the other night. I have a very short peice to offer on here as a bit of a trial run. As my cameraman/editor is somewhat busy at the moment I have edited and shot this myself and simply can't wait to publish it.


Indeed I never realised I had such a "pricless" shot until I looked at the footage today.

Do you think he was pleased to see me? (17 seconds in)

YOU COLDN'T MAKE IT UP!!!!!!!

YOU REALLY COULDN'T.

For reasons I am unable to go into, I can not say what might or might not have happened to my child in the past.

Today he came back from school with dirt all over his clothes and very visibly shaken up. I asked him what had happened. He "reluctuntly" told me he was set upon by FIVE pupils and kicked by them while he was on the ground (where a couple of them had struck him to.)

Naturally I was absolutely horrified, even more so when he told me two of the names of his attackers, which are names that have, shall we say, cropped up more than once.

I telephoned the school and asked to speak to the headteacher, approx 30 mins later I got a call from who I believe to be the deputy head. I think it would be unfair to name him as I will be publishing my recollection of our telephone call and it won't make him look too good and I'm sure he has family that wouldn't appreciate it being published all over the internet that he is paid from the neck down by the education department, who in my opinion are seriously neglecting our children.

This particular teacher explained to me that an "incident" had occured , the "incident" had been "investigated" and as a result of the "investigation" two pupils had been SUSPENDED, yes you read that correctly SUSPENDED.

So I said to the teacher "let me get this right. FIVE pupils commit, what I believe to be,a grave and criminal assault on my child and you give two of them a few days off"? "So tomorrow they can get one of their older mates to get them a few cans of beer and go and hang out together?

To which he replied "suspending a child is the strongest sanction in our remit". "There is no "tuffer" sanction"

If I was one of these kids (as I told the teacher) While swigging my can of beer I would think GREAT! the worst they can do is suspend us. When we get back to school we'll give him another hiding and see if we can't get a couple of weeks off.

I asked the teacher if he would tell me the names of the two pupils that had been suspended. He said "NO" it is not "policy" to discuss other pupils with other parents. So I said "let me get this right. These pupils can give my son a hiding and me, as a parent, am not allowed to know who they are? To which he replied "That is our policy" but wouldn't tell me if it was schools or education departments.

I asked him what kind of a message does he think he is sending out to anybody thinking about committing an assault or anybody who wants a few days off? to which he replied "we have to follow education department guidelines" I said "even if they are seriously neglecting the children? He said "that is not for me to comment on, I signed a contract to abide by the education departments policies".....So fukc the kids as long as I get my pay cheque? (he didn't say that!)

So it transpires if I want any stronger sanction than giving these kids a few days off I have to contact the police, which I have now done. In order to find out the names of the children that assaulted my child, the said teacher advised me to contact MARIO LUNDY. I have had dealings with Mario Lundy and one thing has come to light. That is one of us is a LIAR.

I would like to make it clear I do not believe punishing these kids is the best solution. I believe trying to understand them, work with them, give them incentives, give them time. Unfortunately that is not (in my experience) how our education department works. And is the only option open to me to try and prevent this, or worse happening YET AGAIN to my child.

The only reason I would want Senator Mike (GST28) Vibert re-elected is that he can still be "on watch" when everything he is responsible for as the Education minister comes to light. If I were him I certainly wouldn't stand again and get out whilst the goings good.

Stuart. Sorry for nicking your slogan but it is just so apt when it comes to describing anything to do with our "ruling elite"

I have e-mailed Senator Mike (GST28) Vibert with these concerns as I don't have, and couldn't find MARIO LUNDY'S e-mail address. I shall keep that and any reply I MIGHT get for another post.

"Journalism the Jersey way"

Todays Talkback on BBC Radio Jersey was about GST. This is a subject that has impacted on everybody's lives, wallets and purses in Jersey. A subject that could see any of those who voted in favour of it be ousted from political office at the next election.

Twenty eight of our democratically elected, so called, "representitives" defied 19-20,000 signatory's the second biggest petition ever handed to the States of Jersey. Three of these democratically elected representitives are up for election in a couple of months time. They are Senator Mike (GST28) Vibert, Senator Paul (GST28) Routier and Senator Phillip (GST28) Ozouf.

I have on many of occasion been at pains to declare I know very little about "Journalism" so rather than attempt to say, I know what I'm talking about and our "Journalists" don't, I would like to share with you my confusion and questions.

Somebody at BBC Radio Jersey came up with the idea of holding a Talkback show on the subject of GST, whos idea was it? So now we know what the show is going to be about, who's job is it to invite the guests, or panel? and how on earth did they arrive at the decision to invite David Warr and Senator Len Norman? two people of the same view regarding GST, that's hardly going to be "informative" in a "fair and balanced" way.

When Christy Tucker (I think that's her name) Was asked why Vibert, Routier or Ozouf weren't on the panel, she said it was because she hadn't phoned any of them, The subject of the show was only agreed Friday which is her day off and she deserves a lie-in once a week. Surely she, or the BBC have an obligation to ensure informed and balanced information being broadcast before "a lie-in"

If she didn't have the time to invite any of the GST28 how come she found the time to invite Senator Norman and David Warr?, that is of course if it was her decision who to invite and why invite two people with the same view?

Vibert, Ozouf and Routier (in my opinion) should have been the first ports of call, they all voted for GST, so are "pro GST" they are all up for election so I'm sure be chomping at the bit to get some free publicicty, and I'm as equally sure would like to explain to the people who did vote for them why they voted the way they did. The second port of call would have been the likes of the JDA,Time4change, or any of the elected representives who voted against GST including Senator Norman That would have given the listeners a "balanced" panel.

So as cynical as it might sound, I believe there are two scenario's, no, make that three!

1) Eiether the BBC or Christy Tucker are completeley incompedent, have no idea how to get a fair and balanced topical debate together, surely they're not naive enough to believe the callers were going to "balance" the argument out against a panel who are anti GST?

2) The BBC or Christy Tucker are protecting the GST28 and the establishment, did ask some of the GST28 to be part of the panel, who didn't have the balls to attempt to defend the indefensible, so Christy came up with the idea of saying she didn't have time, or didn't think to phone any of them.

3) I have the wrong idea of "journalism" and our local media are doing a good job, it's just different to national and international journalism.

"Franks Watch"

I am in the process of creating an alternative media outlet via video which will (hopefully) be published on Youtube. I am currently learning where and how to download and save videos.

I intend on interviewing some of our most prominant figures, mostly politicians, but hopefully some of our most prominant "Journalists" also. I came across the video below and decided to use it as a trial run for my project.

Frank Harrison (GST 28) Walker will be remembered for many things on "his watch" and the interview below is one of them. Although the "press conference" that Senator Syvret "gate crashed" is another. I will try and find a copy of that and publish it also. In the meantime please enjoy this one, as cringe worthy and hide behind the couch worthy as it is.

I know it is an old one and everybody would have watched it already but it really does deserve to stay fresh in peoples minds and is a stark reminder of the Frank Walker prioryty's!

Monster or creater?

Whilst having numorous discussions, sometimes very heated, with people of the older generation, certain issues come to light and many questions.

Almost all of the "older generation" (and some younger) I have talked with, concerning child abuse, appear to have the same answer. That is all child abusers should be "castrated", put on the electric chair or hung. It is a very narrow minded point of view but typical of the generation who were bought up where children were to be seen and not heard and women were barefoot, pregnant and tied to the kitchen sink.

The world, thankfully, has moved on from those days..................... or has it? Jersey is in the world spotlight at the moment for horrific, brutal and barbaric treatment of it's children. Children who are alledging they have been raped, tortured, and beaten by their "carers" in the States of Jersey. Some one hundred alleged victims have come forward, reliving their nightmares and tormented years in the slight glimmer of hope they just might get some justice, expose their abusers so they can't do any more harm to any other children.

So here we are in the 21st century Jersey, so far all these poor victims have had is the "Williamson report" (enough said) Frank Walker saying "not on my watch" the Baliff saying "the real criminals are outside journalists" and suspects, who the lead investigator believes has ample evidence to charge being released without charge by our "powers that be". Our health minister sacked for being their voice along with Simon Bellwood trying to be their voice and losing his job.

One of the most recent arrests involving HDLG was of a fairly young man who, if he is guilty, would have been abusing these children whilst he almost still was one himself. I believe this man spent most of his life in the Jersey "care" system. There is a good chance he has been brought up being raped, tortured and beaten by the very people who are supposed to "care" for him, mould his future and put him on the path of being a responsible, "educated" and succesfull contributer and member of society.

Now I am in no way condoning what he might have done to any child, but serious questions are raised, should he be castrated, hung, or electicuted............. should he be punished at all?
This could be a child who has grown up in a world that most of us couldn't even imagine exists. Subjected to such atrocity's one only ever reads about in books or watches in horror films on T.V. Has been battling inner demons his whole life, hates himself, has no self esteem and possibly believes the world he has been brought up in, is indeed, the real world.

To people fortunate enough to have grown up in a loving and caring family this might be incomprehendable.

Society demands comeuppence and punishment, perhaps more so the older generation. But what is more important? Having a society or goverment that is open, transparent where regulations are put in place and outside scrutiny is welcomed. Checks and balances are in place to ensure what has been allowed to happen can never happen again. Should it be the abuser that is put on trial or should it be the "care" system?

So far those who have been charged are what some might call "small fry" or "scapegoats", some of whom are indeed "victims of the system" they were unfortunate enough to grow up in. Nobody from "the establishment" Civil servants or ministers have been held to account for anything, to the best of my knowledge.

So rather than castrate, hang or electrocute some of these people maybe we could look at, what, (who) made them into these monsters, how was it allowed to go on undetected for so long, who covered it up? Are they to blame or is it the system? Do they deserve punishment or compassion?

It is my view the Jersey Goverment created these monsters, and possibly still are creating them. Is it the monster that should be slayed or is it the creator?

I would like to add, when using the word "monster" it is not meant literally or defamatory.

SENATOR MIKE (GST 28) VIBERT. A Minister for children?

The e-mails below are pretty self explanatory really. What I read from them is Senator Mike (GST 28) Vibert has complete and utter disregard for our children.

This is a prime example as to how, not only civil servants and ministers can do what they please to our children without having to answer for it, but now it appears bouncers and cafe owners can do what they like to them knowing good old Mike (gst 28) Vibert will cover their backs.

We are now living in an age were class A drugs are readily, easily and cheaply accessable by young teenagers, along with alcohol and "recreational" drugs. We have teenagers causing trouble in town and around housing estates. Some high on drugs, some drunk on alcohol and some just plane board.

Here (below) we have some extremely well behaved teenagers who choose to spend their recreational time swimming in what they believe to be a public owned area, these particular children are also members of Karate schools, Island Rugby teams, Island atheletics and are a real credit to their parents.

They are absolutely horrified by the way they have been treated by a couple of bouncers and a cafe "owner" I've not yet had the heart to inform them of Senator Mike (GST 28) Viberts total refusal to deal with them with any kind of respect and seemingly offers anybody to treat our kids any way they see fit.

Is there any wonder some of our children go off the rails? Is there any wonder the Williamson report reccommended a minister for children? Senator Mike (GST 28) Vibert appears to treat our children with utter contempt. Unfortunately he is our minister for Education Sport and Culture. Judging by the e-mails below he would be better suited as minister for Corporate business functions.

If the children can't get any answers from him, where can they get them? This man has charge of all your children, he is up for election later on this year. If he gets voted back in he'll still have charge over our children. You owe it to yourselves and the children to make sure that doesn't happen.

Do you know the ironic thing about this? one of the guests at this private function told me it was a Jersey Telecom party, a publicly owned company so not only did the kids have the right to be at the pool they probably had a right to be at the bloody party!!!

THE E-MAILS.

Dear Mr.Vibert.

I am writing to you as a very concerned parent.

This evening I was contacted by my son, my nephew, my neice and one of their friends.

They had gone for a swim at Havre Des Pas bathing pool. I instructed them to telephone me when the tide reached the pool so I could go and keep an eye on them due to the water being a bit choppy, a SSW force 4

They telephoned me as promised but to inform me, also, they had been told they were not allowed to remain there because there was a private party being held.

I subsequently went down there where I was confronted by 2 bouncers who informed me I was not allowed to go to the pool area due to a private party being held and where the children were situated, waiting for me to arrive and too scared to go back in the water, in case they got into troulbe, so were freezing cold

Now I could be very much mistaken but I believed Havre Des Pas bathing area was publicly owned. I was then confronted by the manager who told me the area is leased to him by Education Sport and Culture, so therefore he owns it. Again I could be mistaken but I don't believe that makes him the owner, but thought it wise not to get into an argument with him and his 2 bouncers who were somewhat intimidating.

Could you please explain to me, so as I can explain to the children, if the information given to them and me was correct?

The information given to me was the manager is the owner, if there is a private party being held children are not allowed to be in the pool or the steps adjoining the pool.

I should like to add the children were very upset and still truly believe (as I do) they have every right to be in the pool and would be very upset to discover they are wrong.

Or is it the case that SPORT and CULTURE is only permitted when there is not a Jersey telecom corporate function taking place?

I think it is very important to set the record straight as to what the childrens rights are. Do they have the right to enjoy this publicly owned property, paid for by tax payers (I believe) or do they have no right to be there when a corporate function is being held?

If it is the latter which would mean SPORT and CULTURE is only accessible as long as it doesn't interfere with corporate functions, could you please let me know the best way to explain this to the children?

Regards.
voiceforchildren.

Dear voiceforchildren.

Thank you for raising this issue with me.

I have received reports from my officers and also from the person who has the Licence agreement to rent the catering facility at Havre des Pas pool.

You are correct in suggesting that Havre des Pas Pool is a public facility. During the months from end of May until end of September the Education Sport and Culture department provides Life Guard cover between 9am and 6pm each day. During this time the facilities are open to the public. The cafe is operated by Empire Catering . After 6 pm Empire Catering are able to use the Cafe and toilets for Private functions. This is done by agreement with Officers from ESC who are aware of the times that this will happen.

At all times members of the public are able to access the pool in order to swim but the toilets and changing facilities will not be open for public use after 6 pm when the life guards finish. On occasions when the facility is busy the Life Guard cover is extended beyond 6pm.

I can confirm that members of the public are able to access the swimming pool at all times. The Manager is not the owner of the pool but he does have the concession to the cafe and use of the toilets when a private function is being held. These functions are by agreement when the after the pool has closed at 6pm.



Yours sincerely

Senator M.E. Vibert

Dear Mr.Vibert.

I am very saddened to see you appear to have completely ignored the the core substance of my e-mail.

That is the children were "very upset" being told by "bouncers" they are not allowed in the POOL. They were never told they weren't allowed in the changing rooms or the toilets, they were told to get out of the POOL.

Subsequently I was told I was not allowed to go on any of the premises because there was a private function being held, by a man claiming to be the owner and two bouncers.

"The core substance" that appears to have completely escaped you is "the children were upset", not by being told they are not allowed in the toilets or changing room after 6.p.m. but by being ejected from the pool by 2 bouncers and the "owner".

So if you are saying the "owner" and the two bouncers were wrong for ejecting them and they ARE allowed to use this public facility and the "owner" isn't the "owner. Might I suggest a written apology from either yourself, the "owner" and the two bouncers to the children? as it might go some way in restoring some faith in the children regarding the way our island is being run. Further more It will give the children a degree of satisfaction to know they were right to believe the pool belongs to the public and they have every right to be there.

It sounds like the bouncers and the "owner" have faced no discaplinary action from you or your department and you and your department don't appear too bothered by the affect this would have had on the young children "very upset".

Some kind of apology or recognition shouldn't be too much to ask, and hopefully some kind of assurance this sort of behaviour will not happen again?

Regards. voiceforchildren.

Dear voiceforchildren,

The version of the events reported by the concession holder differed materially from your version.
In my previous e-mail I made clear the situation relating to use of the pool and will expect the concession holder to adhere to this agreement and, if, any breaches of this agreement are complained of, and accepted or proved, they will be dealt with by my department.
I always regret if any young children are upset and I sincerely hope the behaviour of everyone concerned had the children's best interests as their foremost consideration.

Yours sincerely

Dear Mr.Vibert.

So am I to tell the children they are being called liars along with myself (1)?

Could you please explain to me and the children, as you don't see my original e-mail as any sort of complaint, just exactly what you do see it as? (2)

Could you explain to the children how the "owner's" and bouncers version of events differ from theirs? (3)

These children were treated apallingly and wrongly and they seek no more than an apology(4) If you would like I will get them to document the events for you (as I have) as it appears either the children are lying or the "owner" and bouncers are (5)

I am at a loss as to what to tell them, do I say Senator Vibert doesn't believe them (6)? do I say Senator Vibert is not interested in finding out the truth (7)? These people can eject you from the pool wrongly and not have to answer for it (8)?

You see I have to try and make some sense of this to 13 and 14 year old children who demand answers, could you please give them some (9)?

You will notice numbers one to nine, these are either questions or concerns myself and the children would like you to address individually. I (we) hope you will give them that respect.

Regards. voiceforchildren.

Dear voiceforchildren

You have had my reply. I deeply regret if the children were upset.Yours sincerelySenator M.E.Vibert Senator M.E.Vibert Minister for Education, Sport and Culture

NOT ON MY WATCH.

Just a swift blog.

I have posted recently this blog is not much of a "voice for children" and this is for reasons I can not go into.

However that statement is somewhat incorrect. The very purpose of this blogsite is for my children and everybody elses children who are going to have to grow up under the same dictatorship as us unless I and others do something now to pave the way to a "Democratic" society for them to live in.

I have posted elsewhere before, one of my fears is when my children get older and ask me howcome the people who run the island were allowed to destroy it and it's beauty? why don't we have any rights? howcome civil servants can do as they please to us and never have to answer for it? howcome Ministers can do what they want to us and never have to answer for it? is that what it was like in your day? and then the dreaded one WHAT DID YOU DO ABOUT IT?

Now I can either sit back and say "well nothing really it's just the way things were, (or are) we just get shat all over and accept it". Or I could say "I tried the best I could to make sure you don't have to live under the constant threat and fear of speaking out like I did" "At great risk to myself I spoke out against our dictatorship, I tried to make them accountable by exposing them to the world over the internet" Most impotantly I VOTED I tried to make a difference.

In twenty or thirty years time, all the horrendous stuff that might be happening to our children and being covered up will come to light and you know what the party line will be? "well this is all historic and it wasn't on my watch" and so it goes on history repeating itself.

Well guess what Frank? The day I became a father I was given a lifelong obligation to protect my children. To put their needs before my own, to make sure they have a good future and to keep them out of harms way. You and your council of ministers, I consider to be "harms way"

Am I willing to stand by and allow all this to happen without doing my upmost to prevent it? not on my watch Frank, not on my watch!!

voiceforchildren.

IF YOU DON'T VOTE YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO COMPLAIN.

"REPRESENTING" THE PUBLIC

It has been a very sad day in our political history. I will re produce below an e-mail I sent to my 3 "representatives where I asked them how many Parishoners they had been in touch with before making this HISTORIC vote for them and how I would like them to vote.

I did bump into Deputy Baudains and Connetable Gray Monday night, the night before the debate was due to start on this HISTORIC vote of no confidence in our council of ministers.

I asked them how they intended to vote. True to form Connetable Gray said he didn't know and will make his mind up on the day.................yes that old chestnut!!

Deputy Baudains told me straight on how he intended to vote, that was he intended to vote "POUR" on the vote of no confidence against the council of ministers and probably "CONTRE" to the vote of censure on Big Frank. I must give Deputy Baudains credit where it is due, he is a straight talking man and doesn't appear to be scared of standing up to be counted and possibly more often than not votes in line with the electorate.

Deputy Ian (GST 28) Gorst on the other hand appeared to do everything he could to avoid me on this monday night and indeed made a good job of it. All concerned were at a hustings for the procurer de bien public. Ian (GST 28 ) Gorst arrived late and left early so there was no chance of me engaging with him. So had no idea as to which way he was going to vote.....yeah right!!

Those of you who have read my last entry, under the heading "Democracy" will know I have asked Deputy Ian (GST 28) Gorst to come on here and engage with the electorate and possibly educate us. Thus far he has ignored my invitation. Indeed he has completely ignored (as he so often does) the e-mail below. He didn't even send me one back saying "private and confidental for addressee only"

In the e-mail below I have made a couple of predictions, these predictions and the e-mail were sent before I bumped into my said representatives that evening.

I know I predicted correctly on the no confidence vote, but haven't seen the vote of censure results yet, but I don't think I'm in for any suprises!

Like I said at the beggining of this post, it is a very sad day in Jerseys political history. We now know without a shadow of a doubt the vast majority of people we voted to represent us, do nothing of the sort and are not afraid of the consequences at the ballot box.

We do have 8 courages men and women who are not afraid to do what they were put there to do represent the people who put them there!!! they are.

Senator Stuart Syvret

Deputy Alan Breckon

Deputy Frederick John Hill B.E.M.

Deputy Gerard Clifford Lemmens Baudains

Deputy Roy George Le Herissier

Deputy Judith Ann Martin

Deputy Geoffrey Peter Southern

Deputy Shona Pitman

e-mail to my "representatives"

Dear sirs.

I know this is probably a little late to be asking but I have been very busy with other matters.

I'm not sure how many parishoners you have sought to get their feelings on tomorrow's, possible "historic" vote of no confidence in our council of ministers and the not so historic vote of censure on cheif minister Frank Walker?

I am taking the advice from a few politicians who are encouraging the electorate to engage with their Parish deputy's and Connetables.

I would like to let you know how I would like you all to vote, and how I would be voting myself if it wasn't left to my elected "representatives" Which incidentally is the same way everybody I have spoken to (which is possibly in the hundreds) would vote.

I would like you (as my representatives) to vote "pour" on both propositions. For the avoidance of doubt I would like you to support both propositions.

I would like to make a prediction, my prediction is Deputy Gorst will vote "CONTRE" Connetable Gray will vote "CONTRE" and Deputy Baudains will vote "POUR".

I have taken a little time to study your voting records and as it stands Deputy Baudains appears to be in touch with the electorate, and has represented me and the majority with his votes, so credit where it is due and please don't prove me wrong tomorrow.

Connetable Gray has a bit of a mixed record but does seem to be fearful of sticking his neck out.

Deputy Gorst appears to establishment through, and through, and his votes in no way reflect the vast majority of the people he is supposed to be representing.

I hope you feel inspired a parishoner is showing an interest in our "Democratic" proccess and carry the will of your electorate when voting tomorrow.

Regards.

Voiceforchildren.

Democracy?

Are we really, as the establishment and local media would have us believe, living in a true democracy?

With only somewhere in the region of 30 per cent of the electorate voting. This is for a number of reasons. From feedback I have had and from my own expreiences from my elected "repesentatives" The vast majority of people who don't vote is because they say their elected "repesentatives" do not represent them.

Our represntatives are constantly voting in the States on one issue or the other. Never once have I, or anybody in my Parish to my knowledge, ever been contacted by either of our deputy's or our Connetable to attempt to gauge our thoughts, feelings, knowledge, experience on ONE issue that they have voted on in the States.

As far as I am aware our deputy's are in their position to be the voice of the electorate in the States. This Tuesday there is to be a vote of no confidence in our council of ministers and a vote of censure against Frank (GST 28) Walker.

None of my democratically elected "representatives" have contacted myself or anybody I know to either educate us, or ask us how we would like them to vote. If we were living in a Democracy where our elected officials wanted to represent us in the States, Why haven't any of them held an "open surgery" or any kind of a Parish meeting to discuss how we would like to be represented or how we would like them to vote for us?

I'm certain if this vote of no confidence in our council of ministers was to go to a refferendum then it would be a landslide victory for Senator Syvrets proposition. However as the electorate have no say in the matter, our "representatives" will be voting for us, against us!

The reason our "Democratically elected representatives" vote how they please with total disregard to the electorate is simple, it's because they can!! The 30 per cent who do vote are friends family and neighbours of the candidate and are predominantly establishment voters.
People way above the breadline, well to do families, people who don't have to watch every penny, people who can afford central heating and have it switched on when they are cold.

The people who don't vote are the ones that get shat on the most, the working class, the single parent family struggling to make ends meet who have to pay GST to keep the finance Industry happy. If these people were to come out and vote they wouldn't be shat on as much and would have to be listened to but whilst none of them are voting, none of them can have a voice.

A little while ago I was having e-mail correspondance with one of my deputys, Deputy Ian (GST 28) Gorst. I was publishing the e-mails on a blogsite. Deputy Ian (GST 28) Gorst became aware of this and started each e-mail with the words "confidential for addressee only" When I asked him the other night why he did this he said because I was publishing them on a blogsite and he had no way of commenting on them.

I explained it is very easy to leave a comment and I was a little concerned he didn't want our correspondance to be open to the electorate but he wouldn't answer me why.

I am going to send Deputy Ian (GST 28) Gorst a link to this page in the hope he will address my concerns by leaving a comment on here and hopefully explain to me how he believes (if he does) we are living in a Democracy. Why he voted for GST, why he voted AGAINST any exemptions and why he never appears to engage with the electorate before voting on anything.

I don't wish to appear unfair to Deputy Ian (GST 28) Gorst by singling him out as he is one of a multitude of elected officials who are voting on our behalf without consulting us or even trying to explain to us why they voted the way they did. But he is my Democratically elected official and is up for election this year so would like to offer him a bit of a platform for his campaign and offer him the opportunity of some openness and transparency, and at the same time perhaps help educate me and others in our Deomocratic prossess.

I'll leave you with this. If you don't vote, you haven't got the right to complain and get the politicians you deserve. GET REGISTERED TO VOTE!!!!!!!!!

Having my say.

Their are many of my "have your says", e-mails or letters to the JEP that they haven't published. Also a majority of their stories that I would like to "have my say" on their website doesn't give me that option.

I find they are very selective as to what subject you are aloud to "have your say" on and equally as selective to what they will publish. So I thought if they are not going to publish my "have your say" then I will. I wonder if it should be re-named "have your say as long as it tows the party line" or "shove your say" or even "shaft your say".

Anyway below is an article from Anna Plunkett Cole and below that is my "have your say" they didn't or haven't yet published.


Watch out! Election campaigners about
June 21, 2008 – 10:00 am
THE trick this week would be to attempt a comment page which managed not to mention Harcourt, the Council of Ministers and the Waterfront.
I suppose separately would be all right but after two weeks of having a go it might be time to have a week off. This does rather leave the question of what to talk about instead, since these topics seem to be the ones occupying most minds.
Commonly heard sentences this week have included the inevitable ‘you couldn’t make it up’, and there has been an unusual amount of head-shaking and tutting aimed in the direction of the States.
The trouble is that at the moment it could probably be a subject for discussion every week. But would there really be anything new to say or would it just be a further attempt to validate an argument with which you may or may not agree?
And anyway, I get the very strong impression that simple answers which satisfy all the dissenting voices are not going to be found quickly so it won’t do any harm to take a week off and regroup the opinions. You never know, in the coming week the groups invited to the Waterfront party might dig another pit for themselves to fall into.
All that said, however, it would be remiss not to address just one of the comments made by the Chief Minister in his defence this week. His point was that much of the criticism was political opportunism gone mad in an election year.
To a certain extent, it may be true that some of those criticising the Council of Ministers are squaring up for polling day but it is equally true that these concerns would have reared their heads anyway and that the comments and concerns that the situation have provoked in the public at large are indicative of a wider feeling of discontent with the Island’s leadership.
Which leads us on to the question of electioneering itself – because over the coming couple of months it is going to become increasingly important for Joe Public to be able to tell the difference between what the politicians smiling genially at them are saying and what they are really capable of and likely to achieve.
Perhaps this year, given all that has happened so far, it is time for both voters and candidates to act a bit more intelligently. Senator Walker may talk of some of those criticisms levelled at him and the council as being electioneering but perhaps the voters need to be given a little more credit for being able to spot polling day bluster for themselves. They have to be able to ask the questions and, most importantly, to separate the rubbish from the reality in the answer given.
However, being able to do so will mean some effort on the part of the voting public in arming themselves with information. It also means taking a step back from, what for some, is a traditional way of voting in Jersey. This way runs along the ‘well, he is a decent sort of chap and he’s kind to his mother’ lines.
That may well be, but can he (or she) control a major States department? Does he have any experience in managing a budget? Will he have what it takes to give a Scrutiny panel the teeth it needs to gain the respect of those who have to take on board its findings?
Do you know what their opinions really are on the subjects which matter to you in their coming term of office and do you know what you expect from your government?
In a way, the final two are probably the most important questions because it is easy to lay all the blame at the doors of the politicians but – deviation from their paths aside – they have agreed to serve the Island by carrying out the desires of their constituents. If you were unclear about what you wanted or voted for someone without actually checking their motivations first, how can you be surprised or miffed when their view appears to contradict your own? In other words, only an informed electorate gets an informed government – all of which sounds terribly pompous but is possibly the only way to make sure subsequent political whinging is justified.
Well, it’s either that or we kidnap Christopher Biggins when he arrives here to be Mr Battle. He’s nice and jolly and seems to make everyone smile. Biggins would have parties and laugh a lot.Let’s have him, it’ll be fun.

My un published "have your say"



Having an "informed public" is almost laughable coming from our only local newspaper.
In my opinion the reason the public are so ill informed about our political state and members is because of all the propaganda the JEP spills out every day. More importantly what it doesn't spill out.
It is no secret the JEP is an establishment paper, in fact I believe it is now world wide knowledge. For the Jersey electorate to be "informed" our local media have an obligation to "inform" us in a balanced and un bias manner.
So you start doing your bit, that means publishing the stuff you and the establishment want kept under wraps. Start practicing some real "journalism" hell why not try finding an "investigative journalist". The question surely has to be asked "why did none of our JOURNALISTS know nothing about the Harcourt law suits"? or maybe they did but just kept it under wraps.
The JEP has zero credibility with it's readers. You start printing the truth about our politicians and we'll start getting more "informed"
It is not only the fault of the electorate but most of it lies with you sorry bunch as to why Jersey is in the mess that it's in.