A DEPUTY seeking a sixth term in office and a potential newcomer to the States both faced parishioners in St Martin last night at the hustings for one seat.
Deputy Bob Hill and Martin Greene were asked a wide range of questions from more than 100 parishioners at a meeting chaired by Hamish Marett-Crosby from Radio Jersey who, as a resident, is among those who have a vote to cast in next week’s election.
With Haut de la Garenne returning to the headlines it was inevitable that those who lived in the same parish as the building would want to know about its future. Now that the Youth Hostels Association had said that they would be unlikely to be going back there because the police had left it in such a poor state of repair, what did the candidates think should happen to it?
Deputy Bob Hill said that he would continue talks with the association because he believed it should be returned to its proper state for their groups. ‘When used by the association the building had at long last become a much-used facility offering accommodation at the right price for these groups, and neighbours had spoken very highly of all those who had stayed at the building while on visits,’ he said.
Mr Greene said that he believed that it was a case of what the whole Island thought should be done with the building, not only those living in St Martin. There were a number of options. It could be razed, but, if it was retained, architects should be involved with its future. ‘It could also be used as an open space. Whatever we do we need to expunge what we know about it and make it work for people,’ he said.
Les Winton wanted to know how the candidates thought they could improve the system of ministerial government either marginally or radically.
Mr Greene believed it could be argued that the system was quicker than the committee structure, but it could also be argued that it seemed less transparent. To ordinary people the ministerial system seemed a very closed shop and it needed to open up, he said. However, it had only been in place for three years and would change as it went on, and the next Chief Minister would have a different style. ‘There is definitely discontent among the people of Jersey with the people who are in the States Chamber,’ he said.
Deputy Hill said that he had voted for constitutional reform which had been shown to have pluses and minuses.
Strong individuals ‘Ministerial government has definitely streamlined decision-making and made it more effective. But the ministerial side and the Scrutiny side have not yet quite gelled — the system needs evolving as it comes out of the transitional period,’ he said. The Deputy said that there had been a clash in some instances with some strong individuals on Scrutiny and others on the Council of Ministers. ‘We now have healthier debate than ever before — a lot of Members are doing their homework so that they can stretch ministers during question time,’ he said.
Other questions posed included those on immigration, the Waterfront development, the concept of a bridge between Jersey and France and whether Jersey should seek independence from the UK.
Picture: Hamish Marett-Crosby chairs the meeting with Martin Greene (left) and Deputy Bob Hill. Picture by Matthew Hotton (00602110)
Article posted on 20th November, 2008 - 2.54pm
