Interview with Reform Jersey's Senator-Elect Sam Mezec.

Senator-Elect Sam Mezec

Now that the dust has somewhat settled around the recent Jersey elections. VFC asked Senator-Elect Sam Mezec for his first, exclusive, in-depth, video recorded interview and kindly he agreed.

We wanted to ask Sam about his/Reform Jersey's campaign and how the negative,organised and funded smear campaign against his party had affected him and the party. What was the truth behind the nomination papers which saw two of Reform Jersey's Candidates being taken to court? What role did the "accredited" media play and what role did Social Media play during the election campaign and subsequently? Were the court cases accurately reported by the "accredited" media? The court cases deserve a Blog Posting of their very own and something we might return to.........If the MSM won't.

According to Senator-Elect Mezec at one stage the Solicitor General changed the whole case against them/their candidate overnight. Now where/when have we seen this happen before? Perhaps former Health Minister and whistleblower Stuart Syvret might have an idea? It sounds like the whole court business was a complete shambles but that's not how I recall the MSM reporting it. Indeed "shambles" is how it's described by Sam and something that could/should have been sorted out with a phone-call rather than the expense and intimidation of candidates.

We asked the question(s) that hasn't/haven't been asked by the MSM. Including; "is it really conceivable to believe that out of somewhere in the region of ninety six candidates only two (who just happen to be Reform Jersey candidates) of them made a mistake on the nomination papers? Did any other (establishment) candidate make any mistakes and get the phone-call from the parish to sort it out rather than a court summons?" I mean what are the chances/odds of that happening?

Further discussed in the interview below are subjects such as the Independent Election Observers who were overseeing our election process, fake news, MSM campaign against the threat (to the MSM) of Social Media, BBC bias and much more.............

Public to Discover How Much "openness" £50k can Buy?

Senator Ian Gorst

Tomorrow (Tuesday 2nd May 2017) we should find out if the reported £50k plus spent by the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, (the Taxpayer) on UK Spin Doctors has paid off.

In answer to Deputy Russell Labey's previous WRITTEN QUESTION the Chief Minister claimed that the aim of the £33,500 spent on Spin Doctors (Portland Communications) was in order to help him, Ministers and Civil Servants "to improve upon the past handling of such matters by the Island and being fully open and informative in the public response."

We have since learnt that the Chief Minister has spent a further reported £18,000 obtaining advice from former Tory Spin Doctor Ramsay Jones presumably for the same purpose of being open and informative in the public response (with regard to the Jersey Child Abuse Inquiry's final report)  TO BE PUBLISHED 3rd July 2017.

Deputy Russell Labey

2. Deputy R. Labey of St. Helier will ask the following question of the Chief Minister –

“Further to his answer to my written question on 18th April 2017, will the Chief Minister advise whether the £33,500 spent on consultancy in preparation for the release of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry’s findings included any expenditure on engaging Ramsay Jones; and, if not, what was the cost of engaging him and what is the total anticipated spend for all such P.R. advice and training relating to this issue?” 

Deputy Sam Mezec

3. Deputy S.Y. Mézec of St. Helier will ask the following question of the Chief Minister – 

“What measures, if any, will the Chief Minister be taking to ensure that, in the aftermath of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry publishing its report, the evidence it received remains publicly accessible and complete?”

Deputy Mike Higgins

8. Deputy M.R. Higgins of St. Helier will ask the following question of the Chief Minister – 

“In light of the States expenditure on public relations consultants, legal representation and civil service time in preparation for the publication of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry’s report, will the Chief Minister undertake to investigate what measures, if any, can be taken to ensure there is ‘equality of arms’ for all parties involved with the Inquiry to be able to respond to that report?”(END)

We look forward to finding out how much "openness and informativeness" fifty thousand pound can buy.

Ian Gorst's Guide to the Galaxy.

Chief Minister Ian Gorst.

The meaning of everything, according to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, was/is 42 but Chief Minister Ian Gorst has his own version.

After the scandal of the Jersey Innovation Fund (JIF) was exposed serious questions needed to be asked, or more importantly answered, of those politically responsible i.e Senator Philip Ozouf who signed off two of the loans, and Senator Lyndon Farnham, along with Senator Alan Maclean who between them signed off five of the loans and last but not least Chief Minister Ian Gorst who surely has ultimate responsibility for the actions/in-actions of his Ministers and Assistant Ministers?

We reported HERE. how it looked like Senator Ozouf was being slung under the bus for his part in this fiasco, and in fairness to him, he resigned as Assistant Minister So we know he did "The Honourable Thing." What we DON'T know is if Senator's Maclean and Farnham have also offered to do "The Honourable Thing" or if Chief Minster Gorst asked them to?

Deputy Montfort Tadier.

Reform Jersey's Deputy Montfort Tadier attempted to find this out on 14 February 2017 by tabling the following Oral Question to the Chief Minister:

“Given that Senator Ozouf was not the only Minister to have signed off loans from the Jersey Innovation Fund, will the Chief Minister also be asking Senators Farnham and Maclean to 'step aside' from their Ministerial duties until the relevant investigation has fully reported back?”

This is where we discovered that senator's Farnham and Maclean signed off the majority of the loans but we DIDN'T get an answer to Deputy Tadier's question. So on 14 March 2017 the Deputy attempted once more to get his question addressed if not answered where he tabled the following Oral Question to the Chief Minister.

“Will the Chief Minister state whether, following the publication of the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report entitled ‘Jersey Innovation Fund’ (R.3/2017), Senator Farnham and/or Senator Maclean offered to resign as Ministers or whether he, as Chief Minister, asked them to resign?”

Again a pretty straight forward, clear and concise, question? But this is where we discovered that Chief Minister Gorst has his own version of "42" which appears to be "the former Assistant Minister did the honourable thing."

If this (edited video below) didn't make such a mockery of our so called "Democratic Process" it could almost be funny. The fact that the (unelected/unaccountable) Chair(s) of the States Assembly rule it perfectly acceptable for the Chef Minister (and by implication ANY Minister) to "come out with their own version of 42" in "answer" to any question makes the whole so-called "Democratic Process" that much more (almost) laughable and tragic............ 

Reform Jersey's Pint and Politics Evening. (The Donald Trump Effect)

Deputy Sam Mezec.

In part two of our in-depth and exclusive interview with Reform Jersey's Chairman, Deputy Sam Mezec, we discuss an up-coming event, at the Green Rooster Bar, organised by Reform Jersey in its second series of "A Pint and Politics."

The Pint and Politics is a new (and welcome) concept where ordinary Islanders are invited to discuss political topics/events in a sociable/relaxing atmosphere while enjoying a pint, or your drink of choice, and listen to some live music. Reform Jersey use this opportunity to hear grass root opinions from those who matter (the ordinary Islander) in order to help formulate its policies and submit questions in parliament in an attempt to hold the Executive to account. So it's not just an evening of listening to people sound off about politics, it's an opportunity to help shape the direction the Island is going in and having your voice heard.

This week's topic is "The Donald Trump Effect" and how should progressives respond? (to his election)

Donald Trump.

Donald Trump is nothing if not controversial and has shook up the political world. He defied all the so-called "experts," pollsters and VFC argues he defied the Mainstream media. As discussed, in the interview below, it was near on impossible to view a mainstream news programme, during the election campaign, where Donald Trump wasn't being discredited or ridiculed. Some will argue this is simply because he gave them so much material it was impossible NOT to report it. Perhaps a fair enough argument but we argue that if the ordinary voter ONLY had mainstream television news to watch there wouldn't have been a hope in hell Donald Trump would have got elected.

This might demonstrate the decline in trust of mainstream media and a growth in the power of Citizens/Social Media where us unwashed plebs are now able to do our own research, make a more informed decision, and not be influenced by large corporations with vested interests? It could also be an overriding factor in why governments across the western world are legislating against people speaking their mind, or having an opinion, on the internet. Not least here in JERSEY.

Another point for discussion, in the interview below, (and for the Pint and Politics Night)? Donald Trump was elected despite never holding ANY political office previously against a woman (Hilary Clinton) who had devoted her entire adult life to politics. He didn't look or sound like a seasoned politician and perhaps this too played a major part in his election? People across the globe seem to be getting sick of the established order, the establishment as a whole, and possibly even politicians.

Is it time our politicians stopped acting and sounding like politicians? Is this the key to getting elected?

Adama Barrow.

Notwithstanding the election of Donald Trump, who is now one of the most powerful men in the world despite having NO political experience we see the same/similar pattern occurring in Gambia.

Gambian President-elect Adama Barrow is an Estate Agent and former security guard at an Argos store in the UK. He is only the third Gambian president to be elected since 1965 after over-throwing a president described as a "despot dictator" or Gambian's version of "The Establishment."

What lessons can be learnt in local politics from "The Trump Effect" and indeed the massive anti establishment movement sweeping across the western world? Did Trump win the election or did the establishment, and its media, lose it? Are the days of the Jersey Establishment coming to an end? Who/what will replace it if it does come to an end? Will it be better or worse than what we have now? Is the Jersey Establishment taking note of what's happening politically across the world and going to start changing its ways?

Why not pop down to the Green Rooster in Minden Place this Friday (9th) at 8:pm and share your thoughts with a political party who want to hear, and act on them?

Part one of our below interview can be viewed HERE.

Deputy's Video Goes Viral.

Deputy Sam Mezec

The States of Jersey (the Island's Parliament) has recently begun streaming its public sessions online which attracts somewhere in the region of around 300-400 viewers. This is a most welcome move towards openness and transparency which the States should be congratulated for but will it have the (unintentional) effect of placing more power in the hands of the silent majority and political dissenters, Bloggers, Tweeters, Facebookers and less power in the hands of the mainstream media?

In May this year we published a Blog Posting alerting readers to the latest attempt to shut down political dissent and to keep the power in the hands of the rich and powerful with its somewhat tame mainstream media. Could it be that the ruling elite became aware it might have created its own monster by opening up the island's parliament in this way?

Chairman of Jersey's only political party (Reform Jersey) Deputy Sam Mezec is a young, modern, forward thinking twenty-first century progressive politician who understands the potential power of Citizens Media and how to take advantage of it. He recently uploaded a short clip, to Facebook, of a speech he gave in the States which subsequently went viral. Receiving in excess of 90,000 views, more than 2,000 "likes" over 1,500 shares and 400 comments. For a Jersey politician this is unprecedented yet none of our local mainstream media has reported on it. The only mainstream media to have reported on this is from outside of Jersey in the Isle of Man which can be viewed HERE. The speech has also been uploaded to YouTube which can be viewed HERE. We will also embed it below our interview with Deputy Mezec at the bottom of this posting.

Deputy Mezec had previously agreed to an interview with VFC before his video was published or went viral. We were going to (and have) discussed Reform Jersey's next "Pint and Politics" evening but couldn't NOT report on this unprecedented event and ask questions like "how can the mainstream media expect to remain relative in the age of the internet while ignoring such significant public interest/political events?" Deputy Mezec describes (interview below) the power of Citizens Media as "revolutionary for democracy" and is rendering the mainstream "redundant."

We have decided to publish our interview in two parts and will publish part two, where we discuss the recent election of Donald Trump, the part played by mainstream media and much, much, more.

In the meantime we thank Deputy Mezec, not only for the exclusive interview, but for making Jersey politics available to all and showing there is an alternative, new breed, of politician in the States who do have the interest of ordinary Islanders at heart even if the mainstream media don't want the public to know this. He is still able to get his message out there on Citizens Media possibly even to a wider audience.






A question readers, and the mainstream media, should ask themselves is; "would the MSM have shown such little interest if the likes of Philip Bailhache/Ian Gorst had published a video that went viral?" Whose interests is the MSM serving on the Island?

Public Meeting Against the Cuts.

Reform Jersey Chairman Deputy Sam Mezec.

After the publication of the Council Of Minister's latest draft of its MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLAN (MTFP) which has its very own WEBSITE. Jersey's only political party REFORM JERSEY issued a Press Release (below) calling on Islanders to attend a public meeting in order to voice their concerns against the government cuts.

Reform Jersey calls on public to attend meeting to voice concerns on government cuts

Date:- Wednesday 06/07/16
Time:- 7.30pm
Location:- Town Hall

Following the publication of the Council of Minister’s Medium Term Financial Plan Addition, Reform Jersey has called a public meeting for Islanders to share their concerns at government cutbacks and stealth taxes.

“The government has announced its intention to continue on with austerity policies, including breaking their election promises to keep taxes low. To add insult to injury, after cutting support for pensioners and disabled people by £10m last year, they are now introducing a new Health Tax which they are exempting high earners from the full effects of” – Party chairman Deputy Sam Mézec.

“Concerns are also being raised to us by people who work in education and healthcare who are not convinced that the government is providing the real investment into these departments that they claim they are doing.”

“We want to hear from Islanders who are worried about the prospect of cuts to public services, cuts to their jobs and rising tax bills at a time where many people are already struggling. We should be aiming to replicate the successful Save People’s Park campaign to force government ministers to think again.”

The meeting will begin at the Town Hall at 7:30pm on Wednesday 6th July. Representatives from education and healthcare workers will be on the platform. (END)

VFC interviewed party Chairman DEPUTY SAM MEZEC (below) in order to try and make a little sense out of the governments austerity measures, or the MTFP, and what it would mean to ordinary islanders. What it does look to mean, in certain areas, is that the government now appears to be targeting Middle Jersey with the poorest, and richest, in society being protected.

We hope the short interview below will be informative to readers and with the MTFP document being 200 pages in length obviously we could not discuss its entirety.

It will be discussed in greater detail at the up-coming Public Meeting on Wednesday 6 July 7:30pm St. Helier Town Hall.

Reform Jersey plan to submit a number of amendments to the MTFP and want to hear from islanders who would like to contribute to those amendments.

If you want your voice heard, and for "people power" to make a difference in shaping the future direction of this government, and Island, then be at the Public Meeting this Wednesday.

Reform Jersey. Parish Assembly.

Following the recent Press Release (below) issued by Jersey's only (overt) Political Party "Reform Jersey". VFC sat down with the party Chairman, Deputy SAM MEZEC, to discuss the rarely used (Loi (1804) au sujet des Assemblées Paroissiales) Law.

This is a law that the public should be aware of and used, if necessary, on a regular basis if the (mostly unelected) Parish Constables continue to ignore their Parishioners views on major political issues.

The video/interview/discussion (below the Press Release), we hope, will help inform the public of their, so-called "democratic" right(s) and encourage them to engage with the process.

Political Party to invoke two centuries old law to force Parish debate on TTS outsourcing

"Jersey’s only political party, Reform Jersey, has invoked a 212-year-old law written in French to force the Constable of St Helier to hold a Parish Assembly to discuss the plans of the Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Eddie Noel, to outsource hundreds of workers jobs.

This follows the recent ballot where workers voted in favour of strike action in response to the Minister’s refusal to enter meaningful negotiations with them.

Article 9 of the Loi (1804) au sujet des Assemblées Paroissiales allows Parishioners to force a Parish Assembly if ten signatures are obtained to support a particular motion to be debated, which will conclude with a vote for Parishioners to register their support or opposition.

“We have chosen to use this old law to force this debate to make a point about local democracy in Jersey. Parish Deputies and Constables very rarely bother to put on meetings to discuss political issues and hear the views of their constituents and there is a widespread perception that they are out of touch. Deputy Noel is looking to sack huge numbers of our Infrastructure workers despite promising during his election that he would do the opposite. This is an issue which could see tens of millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money wasted, so it is only right that Deputies and Constables are forced to get to grips with it” – Party chairman Deputy Sam Mézec

“We would urge people in every Parish to start forcing these public meetings to make sure their representatives are properly held to account. We are happy to offer advice to any Islander who wants to do this.”

The requête has been signed by St Helier Deputies and residents Geoff Southern and Sam Mézec, as well as other members of Reform Jersey and Infrastructure workers.

The Constable of St Helier now has a fortnight to convene this Parish Assembly."(END)

Credit to Reform Jersey for attempting to bring democracy to the island. Please attend the Parish Assembly on Friday 17th May 7:pm at St. Helier Town Hall and ask for details on how to call your own Assembly?

The Propaganda Hour.

After the latest so-called "Hot Seat" programme broadcast on State Radio, Friday just gone, Team Voice were appalled at the inadequate questioning (again) of Jersey's Chief Minister Ian Gorst.

Every month the Chief Minister is invited on to the show supposedly to be challenged on his policies, actions, and in-actions, but the reality is, there is no challenge, and the programme is little more than a Party Political Broadcast for The Establishment Party, or according to the leader of Jersey's only political party REFORM JERSEY  Deputy SAM MEZEC A "propaganda Hour."

The Chief Minister is NOT joined on the show by any politician with alternative views or policies, he holds court, and listeners could be led to believe there are no alternatives to his policies including the Medium Term Financial Plan and the austerity measures being implemented by the government. How is this a balanced view for State Radio listeners? In the interest of fairness and balance the Chief Minister should be joined on the show by somebody/ANYBODY with an alternative view or a researched/challenging compare/host. Unfortunately the BBC looks to have adopted a policy where there can be no robust political debate and politicians/people with differing views cannot be live on-air together.

If the leader of the incumbent ruling party is afforded an hour-long show every month then the same should be offered to the only official opposition party but the BBC is resisting this.

VFC spoke with Deputy Sam Mezec (video below) about the continued BBC bias, the inadequacy of the "Hot Seat" (propaganda Hour) show and much more.

Team Voice has offered to fill the void left by the (un-challenging) State Media and offered to host an online live and interactive head-to-head debate with the Chief Minister and opposition party leader Deputy Sam Mezec. Deputy Mezec has agreed to the offer and we will be e-mailing the Chief Minister to invite him on "the show."

Details of the Chief Minister's response, and hopefully the show, will follow shortly.

Jersey Referendum Question Debate.

On the 15th October 2014 Electors are being asked to go to the polls and vote in Jersey's first ever General Election. (although a third of the Assembly has already been elected unopposed)

As part of this election there is also a referendum question that electors are being asked to vote on and that is "should the Constables remain as members of the States as an automatic right?" Electors are being asked to tick either the yes box or the no box.

There has been very little media coverage of this referendum, and indeed what coverage it has received has, in some cases, been misleading. This is NOT a question asking if the Constables should be in the States or not. It is asking if they should be there as an automatic right of their Office.

Due to the lack of State Media coverage concerning this crucial referendum vote, VFC invited a member from the "YES" camp, James Rondel (Committee Member for YES campaign 2014), and a member of the "NO" camp, Deputy Sam Mezec, (Deputy St. Helier No.2) to discuss the issues surrounding the referendum question, and hopefully generate some interest in it. Thankfully they both agreed and were appreciative of the opportunity to make their case for and against as I was appreciative of their engagement.

This is not so much an interview but a discussion between both camps. I did not challenge anything said by either James or Sam as it was up to them to make their case and up to readers/viewers to decide who set out the best stall.

Hopefully readers/viewers will find the debate below both engaging and informative and might get inspired to cast a vote on October 15th? The discussion is published in its entirety as this is the service offered by Citizens Media not available with the State Media.

Below the discussion video is Sam Mezec with his "piece to camera" explaining why he believes people should be voting "NO" in the referendum and below that is James Rondel's piece to camera explaining why he believes people should be voting "YES" in the referendum.

Deputy Sam Mezec Unelected States Members Part 2 (Constables)

Part two of our in-depth and exclusive interview with Deputy Sam Mezec, Chairman of Jersey's only political party REFORM JERSEY examines the role of Parish Constables who are the subject of a referendum on the 15th of October as part of Jersey's first General Election.

Among the topics discussed is the role of the Island's State Media. Is it doing enough to make the public aware of this referendum? The media has it in its power to engage the public enough to ensure (as in the recent Scottish referendum) an 84% turn out at the Ballot Box so why doesn't it?

Is the electorate so "happy" with the Constables that 11 out of 12 of them were re-elected unopposed or is it because they know it is a waste of time standing against an entrenched Establishment figure there is no chance of de-seating?

Should the Constables have a seat in the Island's Parliament, as an automatic right? Let us know what you think on here and more importantly express that view on October the 15th at the Ballot Box.

Below are the views of Deputy Mezec who has since published his own Blog on this subject which can be viewed HERE.

Part one of this interview can be viewed HERE.

Deputy Sam Mezec Unelected States Members Part 1 (The Dean)

Deputy Sam Mezec, Chairman of Jersey's only political party, REFORM JERSEY has been making the headlines, on State Media, and has been the subject of attacks from church lobbyists, for his comments on social media concerning the role of the Dean, and religion, in the Island's parliament.

VFC exclusively interviewed the party Chairman (below) and discussed, in-depth, his views on the controversial subject of religion and politics. Among the subjects discussed are, the Dean's pay, his political influence, church lobbyists, and we ask where have the teachings of Jesus gone? Is Jesus, who could be described as "a political agitator" or "anti establishment" now a part of the establishment?

In part two of the interview we discuss the role of the Island's twelve Constables, eleven of which, who have not faced an election................

Speeches from Deputy Sam Mezec and Senator Philip Ozouf. Jersey Equality March (2)

Following on from our PREVIOUS POST and the resounding success of the March For Equality organised by REFORM JERSEY We offer (below) the speeches, given by Treasury Minister, and only openly gay politician, Senator Philip Ozouf, and Reform Jersey's Chairman, proposer of Equal Marriage, Deputy Sam Mezec.

It was encouraging to see two States Members from across the political divide able to share the same platform for the good of a common cause and the good of the Island as a whole and hope this inclusiveness can be built on in all areas of our States Chamber.

Congratulations to Reform Jersey for organising this event, to all who took part in making it such a success, and sending such a positive message to our government that the Islanders do care about equality and are willing to take to the streets to prove it.

Will there be a rally the same time next year (or sooner) to celebrate the first same sex marriage?

A Witch Hunt.........In The Public Interest? (3)

With all the fancy footwork, Book-cooking or creative accounting akin to money laundering used by the Treasury Minister to appease Philip Bailhache, the State Media, in recent days, has reported on little else other than the acquisition of Plemont.

A subject covered very well by fellow Blogger Bob Hill where he raises the points, and asks the questions, an independent mainstream media would if we had one. Bob's three part series on the Plemont debacle can be viewed from HERE.

Of course this massive public interest, and newsworthy, story has been a convenient distraction from some of the other items of business being discussed (or not) in the Island's Parliament. Not least the oral question lodged by the Chairman of Jersey's latest Political Party (Reform Jersey) Deputy Sam Mezec.

Deputy Mezec's question (below) sought to make sense of conflicting messages being given out by the Viscounts Department and the discredited and disgraced ITV/CTV.

Regular readers will be aware that the Viscounts Department, in an unprecedented move, gave access, to the state Media, of former Deputies Shona, and Trevor, Pitman's financial affairs, following their being made en-desastres,  reportedly because it is "in the public interest."

Channel Television ITV/CTV who published/broadcast parts of this sensitive data claimed; 

"It is the first time that the Viscount's Department has had to deal with a bankruptcy case involving politicians. The department says it has released the information because it is 'in the public interest".

Indeed The Viscount Department told Mr. Pitman; "it takes the view that the media have a public-interest right to inspect the claims, given the high profiles of Mr. and Mrs Pitman" and mentioned NO caveats/restrictions on reporting the details of the claims. However after further explanations sought by Mr. and Mrs Pitman concerning the Viscount's unprecedented decision to give this information to the State Media, the Viscount then told the Pitman's that there WERE caveats attached to the decision in giving the information/data to the State Media.

According to the Viscount the media were given access to the list of claims subject to certain conditions and those conditions (according to the Viscount) included that the information;

Was provided confidentially, and off the record, to keep the media updated.

Was provided on the basis that it would not be broadcast.

Was clearly stated to be "not for re-publication."

But as we know CTV/ITV DID publish/broadcast the information and if, as the viscount claims, those caveats existed then they were ignored by CTV/ITV.

Naturally Mr and Mrs Pitman require some kind of explanation as to how their privacy could be so invaded and what options are open to the viscount to pursue CTV/ITV now that it appears to be in breach of the caveats allegedly set by the Viscount.

Deputy Sam Mezec, and others, attempted to get this clarity from the Solicitor General last Monday 30th June 2014 and, in true fashion, answers were not forthcoming. 

Questions need to be answered by ITV/CTV, the Viscounts Department, and the Law Offices Department as to how State Media can carry out a witch-hunt (in the public interest)? and not be held to account.

The Solicitor General needs to learn how to answer questions.

Part 1 of this series can be viewed HERE.

Part 2 of this series can be viewed HERE.