THE Council of Ministers have been condemned as ‘out of control, deficient and undisciplined’.
Senator Stuart Syvret, who tabled his vote of no confidence in the Council of Ministers yesterday, has launched a blistering attack on his political colleagues.
He claims that the council – whom he labels the ‘entrenched ruling claque’ – are directionless and disjointed and incapable of addressing the real long-term problems. His proposition will be debated in the States on 1 July and has the backing of Deputies Alan Breckon, Gerard Baudains and Paul Le Claire.
Senator Syvret, who was sacked as Health Minister last year after launching personal attacks on his States and Health colleagues, said: ‘It could be argued that some of the ministers are less culpable than some of their longer-serving colleagues; that they’ve only been elected a comparatively short time and that they should be given another chance.
*Picture: Chief Minister Frank Walker
Article posted on 14th June, 2008 - 9.59am
12 Article Comments
‘Out of control, deficient and undisciplined’
This should be the title of the first headline!
if this is what ministerial government is they can keep it. we are fast becoming a laughing stock, with the GST fiasco, WEB, the changing of laws without consultation, the haut de la garenne debacle what next, the unbridled spending of our money!!!!
and where is frank walker oh yes holidaying in Bermuda!!!!
i am ashamed to be a jersey person i only hope that the voting apathy is about to change. let us have a vote of no confidence on the council of ministers
Talk about making hay whilst the sun shines!
After the post of Chief Minister was hijacked by Frank Walker, it is a clear sign that voters HAVE to get out and break the cycle of apathy which allowed them to do what they want. Send a clear message of who we want, but more importantly who we DON’T want representing us.
Its also important to tell the states that they represent and not RULE us. We want an accountable and open government that makes decisions on the behalf of the people and not a select few. This may seem naive, but its what is needed to bring this island back from the brink.
Perhaps Jersey should return to the old days of rule by committee,circumlocution between departments, with no culpable person responsible.
The homogenisers of the EU must be delighted to witness the current debacle, supported by those whom seek to criticise and undermine government in Jersey.This whole debate is leading to a far more sinister outcome, which has not been grasped by detractors.I can see a bleak future,the swift erosion of Jersey’s unique position,as a Crown Dependency enjoying low taxation and some independence,hard fought for, over hundreds of years.The result,compulsory integration into the EU,within ten years and the loss of the last bedrock of Jersey’s existance,its finance industry.
Sad indeed to read that the ruling class are so like the same in the UK, with the same appalling catalogue of disasters. Sad for the island and especially the young born and bred in the lovely island. How do these people get away with things for so long?
If it was not for the fact that I have been ex-island for so long I would offer to replace one of these high placed individuals at HALF of their salary and I am sure 100% I would do a MUCH better job.
The only possible recourse for Jersey would be to get rid of the Council of Ministers and implement the recommendations of the Clothier Report as quickly as possible.
Shafting Jersey internationally has become a favourite pastime of this inept bunch who are supposed to be representing us.
But all we have done is replace the committees with Ministers. We still have pass the blame parcel between departments and Ministers are even less keen to accept blame than the old Commitee chairs.
Witness Guy de Faye over the Victoria Avenue mess, the Puddle Ducks which swallowed £500,000 of taxpayers money without a murmer and Messrs Walker, le Sueur, Ozouf and Izatt over Harcourt.
Almost everyone in Jersey wants self government to continue, but we want democratic self government and that means accepting the whole of the Clothier Report.
So come on States Members and start reforming yourselves, more years of muddle and failure will result in either the UK or the EU sticking their hands in.
The reason we are in this mess in the first place is because we have allowed an Englishman (Clothier) to tell us how we should be running our own Island. Whether we have implemented only part of his recommendations or not, the fact remains that we should be making our own decisions and policies and not following the example of an English government which has always failed its people.
Jersey never used to worry about being in debt, unlike the UK, but now we are throwing money away hand over fist. We used to support all our industries, especially agriculture, but now we are solely reliant on finance. The elderly used to be provided for but soon we won’t have the funds for our pensions (thanks to Senator Le Sueur). We used to look after our own people but now we recruit off-Island - even for PA positions! What chance is there for young people in Jersey?
Exactly Jeremy Maçon, well said. What hope is there for the young Jersey people, after the fact that the island has really just become another part of the UK and its policies. The island used to be a beautiful place, with much French influence and a little English influence. Why on earth is there so much recruiting from outside and not intense training of the young people who are born in Jersey. It is surely far cheaper to train than to import and pay higher salaries and other work-related benefits. That is without even thinking of the debt situation that current policies lead to. Just like in the UK, and the Mother of such idiocy the USA, which has more debt combined ….
Is this the direction Jersey folk want? I think not.
I’m dissapointed, although not surprised at the negative feedback the council of ministers receive.
The world has changed very much in the last 10 years - and Jersey has to modernise its attitudes - the old ways were great - but they just don’t work anymore - Messers Syvret and Co. are just pandering to public sentiment.
The ministers are doing a tough job trying to bring Jersey into the new world
Yes indeed, the world has changed, into a very much more dangerous and insecure world.