From Michael Van Neste.
The recent elections in Guernsey produced 17 new States Members and their first task was to vote in a new Chief Minister. There were four candidates for the position and some of the new members had never met some of the candidates.
Shortly after the election of the Chief Minister the House then went on to appoint its ministers. It may be the case that there resulted from this uncertain process (to put it kindly) an administration fit to govern, with consistent and clear objectives. Whatever the outcome, it is reasonable to speculate whether this was a sensible means of appointing a government requiring continuity of purpose and coherent policies.
There are calls for a ‘general election’ in Jersey, enabling the electorate to make a ‘clean sweep’ resulting presumably in the appointment of a government rather different from our present Council of Ministers. This overlooks the reality that elections of States members in Jersey, as in Guernsey, are based on their personalities, their record of public service, their experience and their ability to muster a constituency. Largely speaking, their policies and political agendas play a much lesser role.
In any event these often overlap, all being in favour of excellent public services, reducing government expenditure, reducing crime, green policies and prosperity for all. It is no surprise that in Senatorial elections the typical voter will put his crosses against politicians with differing political philosophies; one vote for experience, another to shake things up a bit. There is nothing wrong with that.
As the last elections for Senators and Deputies approached, your correspondence columns were loaded with letters heralding a new dawn in Jersey’s politics and the sweeping away of the ‘establishment’. The result was very different.
Now it is beginning to happen all over again and it is suggested that the sitting Senators should resign en masse at the next elections to enable a ‘general election’ to take place. This overlooks the fact that the concept of a general election without political parties is hopelessly flawed. It would result in a lottery harmful to the Island’s image of sound governance.
Let us hope that the sitting Senators will show fortitude and strength of purpose, providing experience and continuity for the benefit of the community who elected them. They should not be distracted by the shrill demands of a minority with a subversive agenda and they should be encouraged to get on with the job. Mont au Roux Lodge,
Rue des Mans,
St Brelade.
An election with no parties is a flawed idea
From Michael Van Neste.
The recent elections in Guernsey produced 17 new States Members and their first task was to vote in a new Chief Minister. There were four candidates for the position and some of the new members had never met some of the candidates.
Shortly after the election of the Chief Minister the House then went on to appoint its ministers. It may be the case that there resulted from this uncertain process (to put it kindly) an administration fit to govern, with consistent and clear objectives. Whatever the outcome, it is reasonable to speculate whether this was a sensible means of appointing a government requiring continuity of purpose and coherent policies.
There are calls for a ‘general election’ in Jersey, enabling the electorate to make a ‘clean sweep’ resulting presumably in the appointment of a government rather different from our present Council of Ministers. This overlooks the reality that elections of States members in Jersey, as in Guernsey, are based on their personalities, their record of public service, their experience and their ability to muster a constituency. Largely speaking, their policies and political agendas play a much lesser role.
In any event these often overlap, all being in favour of excellent public services, reducing government expenditure, reducing crime, green policies and prosperity for all. It is no surprise that in Senatorial elections the typical voter will put his crosses against politicians with differing political philosophies; one vote for experience, another to shake things up a bit. There is nothing wrong with that.
As the last elections for Senators and Deputies approached, your correspondence columns were loaded with letters heralding a new dawn in Jersey’s politics and the sweeping away of the ‘establishment’. The result was very different.
Now it is beginning to happen all over again and it is suggested that the sitting Senators should resign en masse at the next elections to enable a ‘general election’ to take place. This overlooks the fact that the concept of a general election without political parties is hopelessly flawed. It would result in a lottery harmful to the Island’s image of sound governance.
Let us hope that the sitting Senators will show fortitude and strength of purpose, providing experience and continuity for the benefit of the community who elected them. They should not be distracted by the shrill demands of a minority with a subversive agenda and they should be encouraged to get on with the job.
Mont au Roux Lodge,
Rue des Mans,
St Brelade.
Article posted on 27th May, 2008 - 3.00pm