CHIEF Minister Frank Walker emerged politically unscathed yesterday after fighting off two separate attacks in the States.
Deputy Geoff Southern was left humiliated after his vote of censure against Senator Walker received the support of just one fellow member of the Jersey Democratic Alliance. And Senator Stuart Syvret was defeated by almost as decisive a margin in his vote of no confidence proposition in the entire Council of Ministers. He lost by 41 votes to eight.
However, the sacked Health Minister said that the council’s victory underlined more than ever the need for a marginalised electorate to have real representation in the States. He used his closing speech in the vote of no confidence debate shortly before lunch yesterday to launch a new political party. He said Jersey Charter would be a movement for change based upon a set of core values to be published as a charter within days.
Speaking this morning, Senator Frank Walker said that he was delighted with the results of the votes, which had, despite the intentions of the two men behind the attacks, turned into huge votes of confidence in his leadership.
He said that he was pleased to be able to get back to running the Island, as so much of his time during the past few weeks had been taken up preparing for the two debates.
13 Article Comments
Roll on the elections then we can have our say
It not a win Mr Walker, it was a vote based on the question of no confidence. which they didn’t agree, its not a vote in favour or the council.
And it is not a pat on the back for you either, you have made errors, and with the baliff you have become an embarassment to the island.
It will be a double win for us when walker goes!!
How can this man stay in goverment and the people who backed him!
Another ‘victory’ for the smug, self-serving clique. I don’t know who these people feel they are representing (apart from their vested interests), but it’s not the electorate or the vast majority of people in the island.
If they really feel that being independant is the way forward, lets buy them their patrol boat and they can sail off to catch the Tern egg thieves. That would represent good value.
This year there should be as many local people as possible stand for the election. We need new young blood with experience to get in and grap the bull by the horns. Get out there and get your nominations in for the november elections.
then we can all moan about you next year
Huge votes of confidence eh Frankie? You got 41 votes in your favour, but you seem to forget that the vast majority of the electorate (a lot more than 41 people) have no confidence in you or your team and it’s us you’re supposed to be representing when you go about your job as Chief Minister!
If Walker, Le Suer, Ozouf and the rest of the robber barons manage to steal this election from the people again, then perhaps we should consider wresting power from them.
Not armed insurrection, lynch mobs or vigilantes. But the people march into the Royal Square and DEMAND with one voice that they go. And if they won’t go…march into the chambers and eject them. Walker was NOT elected by the popular people’s vote. The vote of no confidence wss not indicative of the peoples views and opinions.
The people of Jersey want and need a clean sweep, a fair (general) election and outside monitoring of the election process.
The political landscape in Jersey makes Zimbabwe look like a sleepy English village. At least in Zimbabwe they will hack you to pieces face to face. In Jersey, the ruling elite ruin peoples lives from behind a smiling facade and call it governance.
The finance industry which props up our economy will not go because we have a change of government, but anything else that wants to grow or nuture here will be stifled, wither and die.
we, the electorate are watching all of you.
time for revolution is here…
These are shallow victories for Senator Walker and do nothing to restore confidence in our government amonst the wider poulation.
Old boys network strikes again!
A vote of confidence indeed- yeh right. You know Frank, it really is time you woke up and smelled the coffee. You really are clinging on by your fingernails, you and your cronies. Go now Frank, and laugh all the way to the bank. But be aware, the people of this island have bought themselves a nice pair of nail clippers!!
Every dog has its day!
One day the door will close on this
shower forever.
Its a me,me me system
and this “smug bug” brigade will fall to its knees.
When that day comes they wont know where to turn.
This year the “rot” has set in
and those with any sense can see through this lot
as plain as glass.
That day is forever drawing near.