Cheyenne O'Connor Rally Saturday 16th February 2019.

Cheyenne O'Connor

This coming Saturday 16th February at 10am there is a rally to be held at the Royal Square in Jersey. The rally has been organised by online pedophile hunter Cheyenne O'Connor who snares online child predators who attempt to meet (what they believe are) children. Cheyenne poses as a teenage child online and gathers evidence against pedophiles which she then hands over to the police. Her efforts have resulted in a number of convictions with some predators ending up in prison, for what she, and many others believe, a short amount of time.

Cheyenne is advocating for a minimum (three year) prison sentence of pedophiles and believes they should remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life and has created an online petition to that end. The petition has attracted more than 2,500 signatures and received a response from the relative (Home Affairs) Minister. With another 2,500 signatures it will be considered for debate in the Island's Parliament. The petition (and the Minister's response) can be viewed (and signed) HERE. She also runs her own Facebook page where she documents her online work catching pedophiles and cases she is working on. The page can be viewed HERE.

Former Health Minister/Whistleblower Stuart Syvret

VFC spoke with Cheyenne yesterday (video below) and discussed the upcoming rally this Saturday where there will be a few speakers including Survivors and former Health Minister, and whistleblower Stuart Syvret. We also discussed such topics as "The Culture of Fear" so prevalent in our Island, the message being sent out by those attacking those of us who campaign against pedophilia and trying to protect our children. Her response the the Home Affairs Minister's and Attorney General's response, Keyboard Warriors and much more.

We thank Cheyenne O'Connor for the interview and for the work she does in trying to keep our children safe. If you agree with the PETITION and want to make a difference then sign it and be at the rally this Saturday 16th February 10am Royal Square.

Chief Minister John Le Fondre Interview (Part 2 or 2).

Chief Minister John Le Fondre

Part two of our exclusive interview with the Chief Minister is a direct continuation of part one. In part two we ask such questions as "who is the opposition in the States now that the opposition has been recruited by the Establishment?" Was this a genuine move on the Chief Minister's behalf to finally have a more inclusive government or was it a cynical move in order to silence the opposition? Is Reform Jersey (Jersey's only political party) now the Establishment? Who, in the States Chamber, with any political experience, and who are not members of the Establishment Party, is left to scrutinise what the government is doing?

Regular readers will be aware from our INTERVIEW with Children's and Housing Minister, Senator Sam Mezec, that he (Senator Mezec) agreed to adopt the terminology suggested by The National Association of People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) when referring to child abuse to use the term "non recent" rather than the derogatory and offensive term "historic." We are pleased to report that the Chief Minister has also agreed to adopt this terminology from NAPAC media GUIDELINES. We hope that others will follow suit and in particular the mainstream media who even refer to present day Child Abuse as "historic." This BLOG POSTING explains, from the perspective of Survivor/Abusee Tom Perry the word "historic" is used and who uses it.


We go on to ask the Chief Minister what can we expect from his government that is different from any other government we have had? Can there be any much needed change or is it just the same old with different faces? Only time will tell.

We would like to thank the Chief Minister for his support of Citizen's Media and in particular for the positive feedback of (and during) our interview/Blog. He believes we are a force for good in holding power and the mainstream media to account.

Part one of our interview can be viewed HERE.

Press Release from Political Party Reform Jersey.

Jersey's only Political Party - Reform Jersey - has issued the below Press Release.The Party would also like to invite members of the public to a Seminar being held at the Jersey Opera House this Saturday 10th March 6pm until 8pm. The Seminar is to mark International Women's Day where two guest speakers - Dr Rupa Huq and  Lesley Mansell - will be sharing their political and life experiences.  More information can be found HERE.

Equalities Officers Elected by Reform Jersey

Press Release.

Reform Jersey is pleased to announce that two ‘Equality Officers’ have been elected as part of its management team.

Graca Ramos and Edyta Buard will act as joint-chairs with special oversight for such matters as diversity, equality and community outreach both within the party organisation and in policy making, in general.

In the run up to the election, they will be working with the management team to engage particularly with female voters, Portuguese and Polish residents and other nationals. They will also support candidates in their campaigns within this groups.

Speaking for the Party, Mrs Buard said, “It is important that the States Assembly should more actively reflect the diversity that is present the wider community. Reform Jersey, too, recognise that diversity within the party activists and management is also vital for good policy making and for effective outreach.”

Ms Ramos said that Reform Jersey had actively been seeking to recruit female candidates and dual nationals, who could ‘speak the language’ of the community they would represent, both figuratively and literally. ‘Engaging the non-native Jersey population in Jersey has, for a long time, been a problem. The Portuguese community is no different. I believe that when the first Portuguese candidate is elected, it will be a milestone for Jersey politics and that should really help engage many Portuguese who may never have previously voted in Jersey.’

Party Chairman, Deputy Sam Mézec, said that he was delighted to have Ms Ramos and Mrs Buard as part of the team. ‘They are both very talented and compassionate individuals, who have been doing much good work in the community, professionally and as volunteers.’

He also said that the Party had recently endorsed 12 candidates at its recent management team meeting, and that the slate was very diverse both in terms of expertise and background. ‘We have 5 female candidates, young candidates, retired professionals, all with a wealth of soft and hard skills. I am looking forward to campaigning together with such a great group of people. I think this election has the potential to surprise many people and deliver the positive change in politics that the island needs.’(ENDS)

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.

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.

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?

Jersey Equality March (1)

In continuation of our PREVIOUS POSTING as planned the March for Equality went ahead today and was a resounding success. Approximately 700 people turned out to show their dissatisfaction to our government's decision not to grant same sex couples equal rights (previous posting).

Below we offer our readers a quick glimpse of today's March and hope we have captured the positive mood of the event.

Congratulations to REFORM JERSEY for organising such a successful event in such short a time. An event which saw party divisions come together for a day to show support for our gay, Lesbian, and Transgender community.

This is the kind of inclusion we need in order for our government to move forward and into the 21st Century. Politicians from across the Political Divide willing to work with each-other for the common good of the Island and those they represent.

We plan on publishing a number of speeches, from the March/Parade in part two of this event. Speeches from across the political divide.

Equality Parade.

Following the VOTE to exclude Gay and Lesbian couples from Equality in Jersey. The Island's only political Party REFORM JERSEY has organised a Rally from The Royal Square to Liberation Square this coming Saturday at 12pm.

A FACEBOOK GROUP set up to publicise this event has attracted in excess of 700 (and climbing) people saying they will be attending. This will send out a strong message to our government saying that it got it wrong...................Again and the so-called "politically apathetic" Jersey Residents are not as apathetic as the State Media would have us believe.

VFC interviewed two members of Reform Jersey, Deputies Montfort Tadier, and Nick Le Cornu, to explain how the Rally came about, who will be attending, and what the Rally will achieve (if anything).

If you are Gay/Lesbian/Transgender/disabled/female and are sick and tired of the government regarding you as a second-class citizen please show your support to this Rally. Equally if you are a member of the public who feels the government discriminates against you and does not represent you then please show this Rally your support.

Deputy Susan Pinel (Women in Politics 2)

Further to our PREVIOUS POSTING where it became apparent that St Clement Deputy Susan Pinel had not submitted a single proposition/amendment to proposition/written, or oral question to the States Assembly since being elected in 2011. Yet was a serial guest (in an election year) on BBC State Radio and chosen, as a guest, to be a voice for women in politics.

Last Monday the unelected, unaccountable, Speaker of the House and Deputy Bailiff (Chief Judge) William Bailhache attempted to silence dissent by cutting questions down to four minutes rather than the agreed ten minutes (per question). 

The Parliament met purposely a day early in order to accommodate question time where there were only nine oral questions submitted, none (as usual) submitted by Deputy Pinel. 

If each question had of reached its maximum allotted time it would have taken ninety minutes, which is thirty minutes short of the allocated time for Oral Questions, yet William Bailhache wanted to curtail this to 36 minutes. Could this have anything to do with Diane Abbott being in the Public Gallery and some uncomfortable truths getting exposed?

Thankfully Deputy Montfort Tadier, member of Jersey's latest Political Party REFORM JERSEY objected to this disgraceful attempt on silencing questions by the unelected unaccountable Deputy Bailiff and proposed that the full amount of allotted time, provided for by Standing Orders, be allowed. This was put to a vote (Hansard below) where Deputy Tadier's proposal was narrowly accepted twenty one in favour and twenty against.

One of those twenty politicians who wanted question time curtailed to less than 50% was the very same politician who has not submitted a single Written, or Oral, question of her own since her election in 2011 Deputy of St Clement Susan Pinel.

OFFICIAL REPORT

MONDAY, 30th JUNE 2014

 

[14:31]

The Roll was called and the Dean led the Assembly in Prayer.

COMMUNICATIONS BY THE PRESIDING OFFICER

1.2 Welcome to His Excellency The Lieutenant Governor

The Deputy Bailiff:

Well, first, as usual, I am very pleased to welcome His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor on behalf of you all.  [Approbation]

1.2 Welcome to Distinguished Visitor – Right Honourable Diana Abbott, Member of Parliament for Hackney North and Stoke Newington

The Deputy Bailiff:

I am also very pleased to acknowledge in the public gallery the Right Honourable Diana Abbott, Member of Parliament for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, very welcome to watch our proceedings for as long as she can bear it. [Laughter]  [Approbation]  Members will be aware that we have a very long Order Paper.  A couple of propositions have been withdrawn or delayed, but I thought I would share some statistics with you in advance of our sitting.  We have this afternoon plus 6 days, so that is 39 hours from tomorrow, and there are 48 propositions now to be debated.  Four of them are amendments to the proposer’s proposition, so if the proposition is proposed as amended we are left with 44.  If the average time for debate of a proposition is an hour, we will be 5 hours short.  A more practical approach might be to accept that there are some controversial debates, and Members will forgive me for saying that there appears there are several potentials for that.  If we had 3 such debates, taking the best part of a day each, that would take some 19.5 hours from our bank of 39.  It would leave 20 hours for 41 propositions.  Assume for a moment, if you will bear with me, that 12 of those are straightforward and take a quarter of an hour each, that would be 3 hours from the bank and you are left with 17 hours and 29 propositions, roughly 35 minutes each.  I would suggest that obviously will not be enough.  It would suggest also, therefore, that the longer debates may have to be curtailed.  Now, there is no point today in asking why we are in this position.  The fact is that we are and the questions and the debates will need to be managed if we are going to get anywhere near finishing the business bearing in mind that the Order Paper for the next sitting looks as bad for length, if not worse, than the present one.  I think there are these consequences.  The first is this.  If possible, we should try to get through questions and one or more propositions this afternoon.  I do not, therefore, expect to allow more than 4 minutes per question.  Standing Orders say that the purpose of Question Time is to get factual answers.  Ministers should in particular please curtail their answers to giving factual responses to the questions as concisely as possible.  Questioners should focus on what information they want to extract, not on what message they want to deliver.  Secondly, Standing Orders on the content of speeches will, I hope, be strictly enforced for relevance and repetition.  Repetitive speeches are not necessary and we do not have time for irrelevant ones.  I expect to approach the debates by being reasonably accommodating with repetitive material during the first 4 speeches on each side of the debate.  Thereafter, Members can expect to be pulled up by the Chair unless they have something new to say.  I choose 4 because some lawyers have been heard to say that judges need to be told something at least 4 times [Laughter] before you can be sure that they have understood the point. Although that is quite wrong [Laughter], I will adopt that principle this week.  Thirdly, Members should ask themselves before they get up whether they have anything valuable to contribute to the debate.  Sometimes we have heard Members start with a conversational statement like: “I am not sure what I think about this proposition.”  Well, if I may say so, if you not sure, stay seated.  Almost certainly one of your colleagues will not suffer from the same self-doubt and by the time he or she has finished that speech you may be closer to knowing what you think.  Finally, almost certainly, I will cause irritation, annoyance and disquiet to Members over the course of the next 3 days while I am presiding.  Sometimes I am bound to make a wrong call or a harsh call.  I would like to apologise for that in advance and I ask Members to agree to keep their eyes fixed firmly on the wider picture in the management of this very long order of business, both for this sitting and the next one.  [Approbation]

QUESTIONS

2. Written Questions

Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade:

May I ask a point of procedure and possibly a point of order?  While I appreciate your direction and I also agree we need to act expediently, it seems to me, though, slightly unfair that Question Time should be penalised because at the last sitting we agreed to meet a day early to get through Question Time.  We did not agree to move Public Business to a day early. Also, given the fact that certain Members are not here who might have been wishing to partake in even some of the less important debates, I think it should be put to a vote so that the proposition should be we carry on to questions until they are finished.

[14:45]

I imagine we will still have time left over anyway, and then if there is time at the end of that we proceed with Public Business as suggested.

The Deputy Bailiff:

Well, I have given an indication of the way I propose to do it, but ultimately I am in the hands of the Assembly.  If you wish to make that proposition you can make it.  Is it seconded?  [Seconded]  I take it Members do not wish a debate on it.  Those Members in favour of adopting that ... the appel is called for.  The proposition from Deputy Tadier is that we allow, if necessary, the full amount of time provided for by Standing Orders on Question Time.

Senator P.F.C. Ozouf:

I do not understand the voting.  What are we voting on?

The Deputy Bailiff:

The proposition from Deputy Tadier is that ... you missed the earlier section.  Senator Ozouf, for your benefit I shall say that I had given an indication that I was proposing to allow 4 minutes per question in order that we could get on to the substantive propositions in good time this afternoon.

Senator P.F.C. Ozouf:

Sorry, I was here and I did listen to it.  I just did not understand the question.

The Deputy Bailiff:

Oh, I see.  The proposal from Deputy Tadier is that we allow up to the full amount of time provided for by Standing Orders for questions.

POUR: 21		CONTRE: 20		ABSTAIN: 0
Senator A.J.H. Maclean		Senator P.F. Routier
Senator B.I. Le Marquand		Senator P.F.C. Ozouf
Connétable of St. Clement		Senator A. Breckon
Connétable of St. Lawrence		Senator F.du H. Le Gresley
Connétable of St. John		Senator I.J. Gorst
Connétable of St. Brelade		Senator P.M. Bailhache
Connétable of St. Martin		Connétable of Trinity
Deputy R.C. Duhamel (S)		Connétable of St. Mary
Deputy J.A. Martin (H)		Connétable of St. Ouen
Deputy G.P. Southern (H)		Connétable of Grouville
Deputy of St. Ouen		Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier (S)
Deputy J.A. Hilton (H)		Deputy of Grouville
Deputy M. Tadier (B)		Deputy of Trinity
Deputy M.R. Higgins (H)		Deputy S.S.P.A. Power (B)
Deputy A.K.F. Green (H)		Deputy K.C. Lewis (S)
Deputy G.C.L. Baudains (C)		Deputy E.J. Noel (L)
Deputy of  St. John		Deputy J.M. Maçon (S)
Deputy of St. Martin		Deputy S.J. Pinel (C)
Deputy R.J. Rondel (H)		Deputy of St. Mary
Deputy N.B. Le Cornu (H)		Deputy R.G. Bryans (H)
Deputy S.Y. Mézec (H)

Reform Jersey Public Meeting.

Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, has lodged a proposition P.33 2014 which, according to Reform Member and St Helier Deputy, Sam Mezec, is possibly the most fundamental change to Ministerial Government since its inception and if adopted will take power away from the States Assembly and put it solely in the hands of the Chief Minister. Indeed it will take power away from Ministers (yours and my representatives) who will have to vote how they are told or face losing their position on the Council of Ministers without facing a vote of no confidence by the so-called "democratically" elected Chamber. The Chief Minister will be doing the hiring and firing.

As a consequence (of P.33) Reform Jersey is holding a public meeting at St Helier Town Hall this Thursday 24th April at 7:30pm for all islanders where Reform Jersey will be setting out its own stool on this radical, and possibly dictatorial, reform and gauging the public's view.

Reform Members Deputy Nick Le Cornu, and Sam Mezec, in an exclusive interview, with Citizens Media, briefly discuss p33 and the up-coming Public Meeting.

Please attend the meeting if you want to learn more about this proposition, or just as importantly, want your views heard on it.

Reform Jersey's Deputies Le Cornu and Mezec (Exclusive).

Newly elected Deputies and Members of Reform Jersey, Nick Le Cornu, and Sam Mezec, have given their first official, and exclusive, interview since being elected in St Helier No.1 and 2 respectively. They kindly accepted an invitation from VFC to discuss their victory at the polls, to explain who, or what Reform Jersey is, what it/they hope to achieve before the October General Election, what is the long-term goal of Reform Jersey? Party Politics, Citizens Media, Blogs (Jersey's only independent media) and plenty more subjects we hope will be informative to those who care about Jersey politics and the direction this Island is heading.

Deputies Le Cornu and Mezec, as part of Reform Jersey, have a vision of bringing Jersey politics into the twenty first century. Both have been Blogging for a number of years, have a fairly high profile across Social Media, to include Twitter and Facebook accounts (links at bottom of post). Professor Adrian Lee, an expert in politics in small jurisdictions, believes their online presence on Social Media played a part in their successful election which would suggest that Blogs (Jersey's only independent media) and Social Media, as a whole, IS becoming more influential in 21st century politics.

Reform Jersey believes the way forward for the Island's politics lies with a party system which they say will bring an end to "personality politics" and offer more (at least some) accountability at the Ballot Box. This is something that is being talked about, and has been for some time, across the political divide and is starting to look like a reality.........Finally!

If you, the reader/viewer, would like to get involved with Reform Jersey, either as a volunteer, a member, a potential candidate or if you have an issue where you need some political representation and believe they can help you can e-mail them at  reformjersey@gmail.com. They don't, as yet, have a government e-mail address but when they do we will publish it in the comments section of this post.

Deputy Mezec's Blog can be viewed HERE. He can be followed on Twitter @SamMezec.

Deputy Le Cornu's Blog can be viewed HERE. He can be followed on Twitter @NickLeCornu.

VFC can be followed on Twitter @TheVoiceJersey

Party Political Broadcast on Behalf of Reform Jersey.

Although this Blog has pretty much remained neutral during the current St Helier Districts Number one and two by-election and indeed remains so. We were approached by member of Reform Jersey, Deputy Montfort Tadier, and asked to film a Party Political Broadcast in support of two of its members, and Candidates, Sam Mezec and Nick Le Cornu, to which we agreed.

In the interest of neutrality we will be happy to film similar broadcasts from other candidates should they wish to make contact.

Pre-Poll Voting is still available at St Paul's Centre where you can cast your vote on Monday 3rd of March between 9:am and 2:pm.

Polling Day is on Wednesday 5th of March 2014 where you can cast your vote at St Helier Town Hall for District Number one and at Springfield for District Number 2. Both Polling Stations will be open from 8:am until 8:pm.