The Day Jimmy met Jill.

It was a very eventful day at the States today. We saw the election of a new Minister for Health and Social services. The candidates were Deputy Geoff Southern, Deputy Ann Pryke, Deputy Paul Le Claire, Senator Jimmy Perchard and Deputy Collin Egre.

To cut a long story short Deputy Ann Pryke got the job. The question is did she get the job because she has the experience and strength to bring some kind of order to the shambles the health service is in, or did she get the job because she does what she is told by the Council of Ministers and will be easily manipulated by Mike Pollard?

Cast your mind back to the CTV live interview with Senator Jimmy Perchard when he said he would apologise to Senator Syvret and would love to talk to Mrs. “GARCIA” about the tragedy of her son’s suicide in order to get a better understanding of suicide.

Unfortunately the good Senator delivered on neither and after resigning from his post as Health Minister a couple of weeks ago, put himself forward as a candidate today. This is after a huge public outcry for his removal after it had become apparent that he was insincere, lied to the States, used foul language in the States and it was proven, when he held the position of Assistant Health Minister he actively encouraged another States member to take his own life. Depending on whom you believe he did the same, to the same States member that fateful morning in the States.

Senator Perchards position had become untenable as Minister for Health, some argue his position as a States member became untenable also but none of this deterred him from attempting to regain his post.

Now this does not happen often but I must pay tribute to our elected “representatives”, (well, all but 10 of them) who did not support Senator Perchard in his attempt on re-election. I can’t say if they gave the electorate what they did want, however it appears they knew what, or who, the public didn’t want and voted accordingly. So credit where it is due to all but 10 of our “representatives” and let’s hope they carry on voting in line with the public’s wishes.

In Senator Perchards defence I do believe he is remorseful for uttering those words to Senator Syvret. I do believe that day has, and will, torment him for a long time. I do believe he had passion and drive and was totally committed to his role as Health Minister. Unfortunately I don’t believe he is aware of the hurt he has caused to families who have experienced mental health issues or loved ones with mental health issues or families of suicide victims.

As Senator Perchard failed to contact Mrs. Gracia, who lost her son to suicide a little over 5 years ago, she took the opportunity to make herself known to him today outside the States, before the election, and I managed to catch it on film (below). Mrs. Gracia is a very humble lady who has been to hell and back and was traumatized by Senator Perchards comments to Senator Syvret, something she finds difficult to forgive him for, but is trying, because that is her nature.

Mrs. Gracia went into the States to watch the election, praying Senator Perchard would not be successful, all the time holding up a photo of the son she lost, for all to see. She held the photo up for a couple of hours and nothing was said. Then Senator (please sir!!) Phillip Ozouf walked into the chamber looked up at the public gallery and swiftly scribbled a note and got it handed to the Balliff. The Balliff promptly instructed Mrs. Gracia to either remove the photo, or remove herself from the gallery, nice one Phillip! She put the photo away but her prayers were answered.

Anyway here is the video of “The Day Jimmy met Jill”