IN his own mind, but in very few other places these days, Senator Stuart Syvret is cast as a lone crusader for truth and justice, courageously challenging the dark forces of an establishment conspiracy involving more or less anyone who has incurred his displeasure.
To all but a small handful of others, he has become an embarrassment, an attention-seeking nuisance, a disappointment or some combination of all three.
Now, as he insists on making a complete fool of himself by affecting to claim political
asylum in the UK because he imagines that his rights or his wellbeing are in some way under threat from the Jersey authorities, he has left behind all claim to credibility and, it must be hoped, declared his involvement in the Island’s public life effectively at an end.
Senator Syvret has taken himself into voluntary exile in London because he refuses to recognise the authority of the Jersey court which requires his presence to answer a number of motoring and data protection charges and which has now ordered his arrest.
It may or may not have occurred to him that those charges, and the sanctions they could incur if proved, are hardly of an order likely to spark a manhunt rather than a patient wait for his eventual return. There is no point in going into hiding if no one is actually looking for you.
If such bad-mannered petulance were being displayed by a student agitator with an
over-inflated idea of his own intellectual powers, it might be understandable and even forgiveable. But this arrogant disregard for the administration of justice in a community whose laws he has sworn to uphold is instead the behaviour of a 44-year-old Senator of the States of Jersey who is, almost comically, Father of the House in its elected assembly.
By virtue of this currently unfulfilled public office, Stuart Syvret is entitled to draw an
income from public funds, in return for which the Islandwide electorate he was
chosen to serve is now receiving little or nothing in the way of representation.
It is not clear why he believes that the taxpayer should continue to subsidise his personal agenda to the tune, currently, of some £43,000 a year but he obviously has other things on his mind than the needs of the Island public and other demands on his time to which he has chosen to give priority, despite their irrelevance to the great majority of the
electorate.
That being the case, Senator Syvret cannot continue to present himself as a serious
Jersey politician. He has already promised not to seek re-election when his term of
office expires in two years but he is now clearly wasting the public’s money as well as time, and there is no need for him to wait. If he cannot rapidly re-apply himself to the concerns of anyone other than himself, he should do the honourable thing by resigning his seat in the States, vacating it for someone more willing to make a full contribution and freeing even more of his time to pursue his own interests.
Article posted on 30th October, 2009 - 3.00pm
138 Article Comments
I wish it was only one Elected official that was wasting public time and money but unfortunately for us all within the States it appears to be an epidemic to rival swine flu……
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Well, well – it had to happen didn’t it? we did not have wait long for your damning editorial on Senator Syvret, proving yet again that the Jersey media are so one-sided they don’t know their fronts from their backs.
Why have you not highlighted the facts as to why he has felt the need to take the action he has?? No – you would not do that would you because it reflects the ‘Jersey Way’ in all its corrupt glory.
Why you feel he has only a handful of supporters I cannot imagine. As far as I am aware he has a great deal of support, which is, contrary to your assumption, growing not dwindling! And why should he not be earning his pay just because he is away from the Island. Phones, e-mail etc., etc have not just been invented. It could be said that a lot of other States Members are not worth what they are paid, even if they turn up week after week after week, which makes rather a nonsense of your arguement!
No, true to form you are displaying your pro-establishment sycophantic journalism which does you no favours at all.
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Senator Syvret will be overjoyed to read the article above.
After all, it’s the only media mention he has had since he fled the island.
In doing so, he has, left the 15,131 men and women who voted for him in the lurch. Many of those people will feel betrayed by their Senator’s abrupt and unannounced departure for London.
He has been very prolix in the long, turgid, and self-pitying prose published on his website.
How long does a States member have to be ‘en defaut indéfini’ before his £43,000 a year stipend is stopped?
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#JG agree with every word you say.
When did a whistle blower ever get any justice?
Just hope he comes back as there is nobody to take his place.
persecuted and vilified for telling us the truth.
We all know how corrupt governments are and will stop at nothing to prevent us from finding out the truth.
I saw him a couple of weeks ago at picnic in the park and did a 5 high with him and a very pleasant talk.
He should be praised not condemned for the good work in helping people to seek justice.
Chin up stuart,you have even more fans who are right behind you.
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Having followed Syvret’s blog for some time now, there have many calls from his supporters over the past months for some civil servants to be suspended whilst they have been the focus of police investigations.
I’m assuming they would then agree that whilst a senior politician is on the run from the police, that he too should be suspended.
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I would be interested in reading some examples of how the electorate have been fairly represented by the other 51.
Just for balance, you understand.
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A very pro-establish piece. Nothing changes does it?
I myself don’t think Senator Syvret is going to disappear no matter how much bad publicity he is given by the Jersey media. In fact the Jersey media’s lack of engagement over this issue, except on the odd occassion to attack and ridicule, must be leaving many wondering what is really going on here?
What must those outside of Jersey be thinking about all this? In my view it can only be adding fuel to the fire.
As per whether the Senator is earning his keep or not, this is not up to an opinionated journalist to say. I myself as a tax payer am quite happy for him to carry on being paid, as he has done good work over the years. Just because he isn’t in Jersey doesn’t mean he can’t carry on with his work does it?
I myself would prefer more of Senator Syvret’s type in the states to the many nodding donkeys, as I view them, who just tow the establishment line. I believe the ability to question and speak up when you have issues is vital in any democracy.
These are my own thoughts on this issue and no one elses. I do however thank the JEP for allowing comments on this and do hope they are left open for a week or so as this is of interest to many people over here. I am sure there will be many comments on this issue.
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hmmm just a minute how come your not questioning the fact that quite a few other states members are away on a jolly in Africa, non of them answer any e-mails so they are then unable to represent or act on concerns of their constituants. Pathetic.
syd
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This is nonsence. Just from reading other news sites on Senator Syvret’s fleeing to the UK I believe it is the other way around whereby a minority supports him but a majority are fed up with him. Nobody is above the law. Nobody. As a voter of the Senator I can only describe his behaviour this year as a disgrace. Eventually he will have to face the charges brought against him, he run but he can’t hide.
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“True to form you are displaying your pro-establishment sycophantic journalism which does you no favours at all’.
I took this from Stuart Syvrets blog it describes the JEP so accurately, I stoped buying it several weeks ago its lack of objectivity is amazing how is the editor allowed to behave as he does by the oweners they must lose money due to his attitudes!!
Good luck Stuart!!!
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You sum up your attack on Stuart SYvret with the following “he should do the honourable thing by resigning his seat in the States, vacating it for someone more willing to make a full contribution and freeing even more of his time to pursue his own interests.” could you please name anyone in the States who makes, or who is capable of making a full contribution.
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Stuart Syvret has a great deal of support? You are having a laugh? I only have to count the numbers that appear at his protest marches to dismiss that one! He should do the honourable thing now and resign. There is no other direction for this rogue Senator.
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I used to read his blog as well. But it is so full of self centred bitterness against all forms of media that refuse to publish his propaganda it just became a pathetic read for me. Big Bean is right, he should be suspended forthwith, a senator running away from the law is as yellow belly as you can get.
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You are so wrong in your assessment of Senator Syvret. The people of the island should be eternally grateful to him for exposing the failures within the Jersey political and legal systems as it is us the mere public who have most to gain from his campaign.
Your editorial is yet another example of victimising a man who is trying to create a safe and fair environment for us all to enjoy.
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He has to go now, there is no other direction. All this rubbish about him being a whistle blower and a great politicion is an illusion. He was in charge of health for over 7 years and look at how he left? He was behind the historic child abuse case and could not face the fact that the police had led the public on a wild goose chase. This is an open and shut case, he can no longer contribute to Jersey. He can no longer face the law (like everybody else has to), and he can no longer represent the majority of his voters. It is over for him and its ended in a pretty sad way for him.
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Is Senator Syvret really worth talking about anymore? He and his ‘very’ small number of followers have spent the past year attacking the council of ministers, the police, the media and anybody else that questions their way of doing things. To be honest with you he is now boring. We have heard it over and over again and its so repetitive now it is hypnotising enough to put you into deep sleep. Don’t bother giving this man anymore attention anymore until he finds the decent courage to come back. It is all he craves and its time to discuss much better and important things, you know, items that really matter.
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How could anyone at the JEP possibly know how many supporters Stuart Syvret has? Until there is another election, it’s impossible to gauge.
His blog has been read by about 220,000 visitors (rising by several thousand each time he gets new publicity). According to Google AdWords tools there are 6,600 searches for his name every month.
You have to assume that most of those are people who have newly discovered his story and not people who already know how to find his blog. If even fifty percent of the people who read his blog are supportive of him, he has 100,000 supporters.
I think that you would provide a better service to your readers if you printed detailed coverage and analysis of his court case and discussed impartially his stated reasons for fleeing (already printed in various national newspapers). If you did that, they could then make up their own minds as to whether he was wrong or right to leave the island.
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Firstly, Karen A (11) The marches are not Syvret’s. They are organised by other people. Also a lot of people either can’t make it due to work commitments or, in some cases, are too scared for their jobs to actually take part – I kid you not.
Syvret has LOT of support – despite what the local media would have you believe. Remember, the local media is selling you the Big Lie.
And yes, how come other States’ members haven’t been asked to resign, or have their pay stopped, when they go away for a couple of months, in some cases? It seems a little one sided, doesn’t it? One law for those members, one for Syvret. Odd considering how some people hammer on about the law applying to all…
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I have to say that I agree with this editorial. Certainly the Establishment have sought to crush Harper and Power, but Syvret is not the victim he portrays himself to be. The Left as much as the Right have both kept their distance from him over the years.
One could say he has been as bad as Shenton senior for egotism. Certainly he derailed the debate over the Limited Liability Partnership Law back in the mid nineties, which was a scandal that should have led to the resignation of the Policy and Resources Committee (Jersey legislature bought by UK accountancy interests to leverage UK legislative changes), instead was diverted into a side show confrontation with Uncle Reg, leading to temporary expulsion. As a consequence, P&R got off the hook and won the 1996 elections. Syvret proved himself to be more of an obstacle than a help.
The era of the one man opposition, that includes JJ Le Marquand and Ted Vibert, may be coming to and end with the demise of Stuart Syvret.
Senator Syvret should resign and put an end to this chapter of Jersey’s political history. It is time to build an opposition based on the working people of the island; to create a movement that will challenge the Establishment Party and the rule of Finance.
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At last the JEP wake up to the joke that Stuart Syvret is. He has been given far to much coverage locally for years. We should now ignore him as most of the UK media has.
I just hope he stays in UK as I have yet to meet one person that wants this embarrassment back.
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“His blog has been read by about 220,000 visitors”
And how many have visted the JEP? What I find funny is that according to daily Net stats Syvret’s blog gets about 8-10 different ip addresses visiting per 24 hours. Some other blogs get around 5. That says to me that hardly ‘anybody’ is interested in this silly subject anymore because hardly anybody is reading about it!
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Tony Gallichan, this is not just for Stuart Syvret, but any politicion in my mind that ends up in court and is charged must stand down. This rubbish about human rights which we keep on hearing from politicions that face the courts is getting silly. He has lost loads of supporters, though I actually think his popularity has been taking a nose dive for sometime, so I think you may be bewildered on that one.
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#19 tom h
You just have several online
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Those who seek to diminish the impact of Stuart Syvret’s fearless campaign for justice in Jersey for many important causes on so many levels would love to think that he has a handful of supporters. He has thousands of supporters world-wide and far more than you will ever know in Jersey. The marches were not organised by Stuart but those marchers support Stuart and he in turn supports them. The numbers may be have been small to start with but they are growing despite people fearing for their jobs and in some cases their personal safety. As a survivor of Haut de la Garenne I have reason to thank Senator Syvret for giving me a voice after over 40 years of silence. He is in London to do just that for countless others!
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Members of Senator Syvret’s adoring ‘claque’ are wont to write on his blog when a negative criticism of the great man appears: “Do Not Feed The Troll”.
The troll that is Stuart Syvret has had enough free publicity for the time being.
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One of your worst editorials, and there have been some shockers over the years.
When will you finally start to look at the real shortcomings of our dismal judicial and political system?
In a functioning democracy, opposition and challenge to the structures is vital and should be welcomed by all.
Nobody here, except Syvret, has the courage and intelligence to do it. The JEP, against all the best ethics of what journalism should be, certainly doesn’t.
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I think the editorial nicely sums up everybodies feelings of this silly Senator. At least the JEP does not break data protection to get any message across. Remember that Syvret consistently meddled in police matters that never concerned him, and for that alone, I think he should be sacked.
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Besides I just read on his blog that he is asking his little handful of followers to on purposely put posts on here to praise him. How sad can you get?
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Surely there is an easy way to finally answer the question of how much support Senator Syvret still enjoys. He resigns from office and forces a bi-election and then stands in that bi-election. If he wins then his support is proved. I personally think that he has gone to the UK because his ego has outgrown Jersey and he wants a bigger stage. Reading through his blog site, his arrogance knows no bounds. He is asked how he can be contacted now that he has left the Island and can no longer represent his constituents. “simple” he says “send an email”. He then claims that 15% of the Island are living in poverty. Presumably they and many others don’t have access to email so he is disenfranchising them. I assume that the States will be calling an emergency sitting to suspend him. Also if he is still claiming his salary can he be charged with fraud?
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Justine (21) Oh, I get bewildered an awful lot of the time – its a happy way to be
Politicians, no matter their politics, are entitled to Human Rights. And surely they should only stand down if they are found guilty?
Again I say that folks wishing to make informed opinion, read up on the case. It may be of interest to note that it’s being studied in the USA and Canada by law students.
As for suporter numbers, I can understand that some would be getting tied of everything thats been happening. Im not going to deny that he may well have lost some folks over this. But he is also gaining support from others. Remember, a lot of people in Jersey only have the incredibly biased media as their source of information. However, in saying that, I’m impressed that the JEP have finaly allowed comments critical of them to be posted.
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I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting the man personally, so it would seem wrong to make personal comment about him, however, what does stand out is that some of what he is saying is true and that people are latching onto the slightly more eccentric side to try and make out that everything he says is crazy.
Take the bad mother-in-law scenario, because she chips away at you bit by bit (and behind people’s backs) even the smallest thing starts to seem huge as the insults add up. So if she makes one tiny negative comment in front of others, what they hear is not as bad as what you hear, but in fact you have been worn down by how she treats you when no-one else is in earshot. Since others think you took the one comment that they witnessed far too much to heart they assume that the mother-in-law is not as bad as she actually is.
Please do not let the truth that he has spoken be overshadowed by personal vendettas or general annoyance because the only people that will lose out are the people of Jersey.
Take the bits that you believe to be true (and actually, I do not believe for two seconds that he could ever get a fair trial in Jersey) and ensure that no matter what Syvret decides to do, the States are not allowed to run amock doing their own thing and ignoring the wishes of the electorate!
For all we know it is very possible that the man has intentionally been bullied bit by bit to push him out of the States because he wants to stick up for the ordinary people? Maybe he has been pushed to what some might view as extraordinary behaviour. As we’re not there everyday witnessing all of it we’ll never know, but experience should tell most of us that bullying can be very subtle and very well hidden and that those in a positon of power will generally get their way by hook or by crook, so who knows!
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I do not believe this Senator knows the meaning of human rights especially when you read the venomous attacks he puts against people of all walks of life on his sad blog. Luckily most sound minded people dismiss his rants as that of a spoilt child who cannot get his own way but are equally dismayed at his behaviour when thinking he is a part of the states. The JEP article is spot on, but it sadly highlights that whilst the Senator remains on the States pay roll, effectively doing nothing, this is a wasted place in the chamber that could be taken up by somebody more pro-active than wasting states time in entertaining a hand full of narrow minded people on a blog.
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Quote:
“Syvret’s blog gets about 8-10 different ip addresses visiting per 24 hours”.
It has had the same people putting repeat posts on it for a very long time though I can guess where at least one of his regular i.p. addresses comes from!
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Last week I had a friend staying with me from Jersey (I now live in England but follow Jersey news closely being Jersey born and raised)The topic of Stuart Syvret came up and my friend was very anti-Syvret stating that he’s a disgrace etc etc.But when I asked what my friend’s opinion was on several issues that Stuart had raised and wanted explaining/investigating he had no clue as to what I was actually talking about.We dropped the subject as it was very obvious that he was simply following the opinion of the likes of the JEP without knowing much about the actual details of what Stuart Syvret was shouting about.Why would people rather condemn someone without actually understanding what they represent?As far as I can see the man has raised important and worrying matters that should be resolved and then he will either be proved a fool or others will be shown to have some explaining to do.Anyone who has ever lived in Jersey for a length of time and been interested in local events must surely be aware that certain people do run the show and so I have a creeping suspicion that Stuart Syvret is right about several things which is why the Jersey media try constantly to discredit him.
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How come has the JEP constantly fails to ask the question WHY Senator Syvret feels the need to flee the Island?.
In the interests of fairness why not write an account of the events leading up to his decision to leave his home and loved ones?.
It is very easy for you to demonise the man for his methods – yet he is the ONLY politician on the island who is fighting to get justice for the many survivors of abuse that DID occur in the Jersey care system!.
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Following the Gradwell allegations and the David Rose article we need a public enquiry. Only then will we know the truth and can put this to rest. As for “demonising the man”, pot calling kettle back if you want to read some of the allegations he has made against people on his blog. The man is not a fighter for justice he is a meddler and until he comes up with something concrete, with back up, his words mean absolutely nothing.
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“Besides I just read on his blog that he is asking his little handful of followers to on purposely put posts on here to praise him. How sad can you get?”
“Syvret’s blog gets about 8-10 different ip addresses visiting per 24 hours”.
Thanks guys! Well there is the truth of the situation for you. Just about sums it all up lol!!!!
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Hounded out of his home town would be more like it.
Bullied at his work by others even told to go and commit suicide.(they know who they are and should have been sacked)
Ridiculed and jeered at because he had the guts to expose what was going on.
And for those who are against his actions of leaving jersey remember this.
While most of the politicians took regular jolies at our expence and some 2 months holidays at a time stuart has not had a single week off in 3 years,so in all reckoning he is at least entitled to 6 or more months off to catch up with the others.
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Benny the Dippy, As for an account of the run up to him chickening away from the courts, what is the point? Why is he so special? He means nothing to his colleagues in the States it would appear, otherwise why are they not passing comment of support in his favour? I will tell you why Benny the Dippy and that is because people are weary of him and have more important issues to get on with, or in other words, they have lives to lead. Maybe you and the people trying to support the Sentaor on here need to think about getting lives as well?
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SS can be annoying and play to the gallery, but I find this opinion piece much more offensive.
We need someone asking questions, exposing ineptitude, greed and corruption. Some of us may foolishly think that is the role of a newspaper. Not on this Island.
How has this man with his ‘few’ supporters managed to become father of the house.. he must be doing something right in the eyes of the plebs who vote him in again & again.
In the words of a well known band..”If you tolerate this, then your children will be next…”
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Stuart Syvret keeps on trying to bring Jersey into disrepute but all he succeeds in doing is bringing his supporters into disrepute with his silly unpredictable actions!!!! He will have to come back to Jersey eventually to face the courts for the charges against him, the States know it, we know it, but does he know it?!
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I suppose the only way you can judge a person is by the company he keeps!
Lord Wally (Sorry Wallace, the original famous holder of that name must be spinning in his grave that this over educated upstart has presumed to gain credability by adopting a name association he isn’t entitled to)
Those two (Eminent?) UK Labour MP’s, so vocal and critical of this Island and it’s “Establishment”(?) during the Haut la Garenne saga but curiously not quite so public or outspoken on the disgraceful child abuse cases that have made the headlines in various Labour controlled constituencies in the UK during the same period?(Baby P/Victoria Climbie/Little Ted’s nursery, to name just three of at least a dozen serious child abuse cases)
Curious how neither felt the need to be so prominent and prolific with their criticism and comment in the international Press on those child abuse issues? Or is it just me who has noticed that?
Curious also that one of those MP’s is an ex BBC employee and freelance journalist?
And as for Mr Syvret, there’s still the matter of why he waited 7 years (During which time as the man responsible for children’s homes he reportedly never felt the need to visit one?) and the sack before adopting his much self proclaimed “Whistle blower” role?
I can accept he is well intentioned by his support of those victims of genuine child abuse but am still bothered that his own position in those matters seemed to preoccupy him more to the point where genuine victims were in danger of being sidelined if not totally ignored!
And as for attempts to repatriate him from this current effort at taxpayer’s expense? Well I personally hold him partly responsible for the £12 million pound debacle that the Haut La Garenne investigation turned into, at the taxpayer’s expense, so I would not be in any rush to support further useless expenditure!
I do feel that these matters currently outstanding are reflective of how both sides in these local political disputes don’t know when “Enough is Enough!”
Politically and financially!
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I wonder – if the “Father of the House” continues to sulk and to skulk in London – who will have the privilege of delivering the traditional Christmas speech in the States Assembly?
Any suggestions?
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Re Matt: “And how many have visted the JEP?”
Good question. How many people buy the JEP and how many read it? Of those, how many support its editorial opinions? Ditto for its web site. How many people around the world ’support’ Jersey?
It’s a nonsensical and unanswerable question unless, as another contributor suggests, Syvret puts himself up for reelection.
Actually, by claiming that Syvret has lost his support, the editorial is using that as an excuse not to examine the merits of his case.
If a person has right on his side, whether he has zero supporters or a million is irrelevant to the justice of his cause. By the same principle, if a person has no supporters but happens to have a just cause, to use that lack of support as a reason to attack him is an act of moral cowardice.
You could cite numerous examples, an obvious one being the Dreyfuss Affair. Dreyfuss had no supporters to begin with and the whole of the French establishment was against him. Turns out he was innocent despite being convicted.
“And the newspapers, they all went along for the ride.”
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strange case isnt it?
untill the whole , now sorry saga come out to the public domain , we will never know the full facts, which can only lead to pure speculation.
i only whish i had the time to sit in the public gallery at the court to here it first hand in full.
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Support must be on the increase.All these comments don’t appear to be the normal total one sided affair, calling for Senator Stuart Syvrets’ resignation. It is all very well, but surely, he must get in the queue, as there are many in front of him, when it comes to the unworthy argument. There are more skeletons in some other elected states members closets. Everyone seems to know all about the honorable gentleman in question in this comment page, but little about all the rest!
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Support for what? A person that refuses to attend court and then shoots off to London? Come on get real!
But Mo, if there are skeletons in some other elected states members closets then expose them.
Or else it is only hearsay until proven otherwise or ‘make believe’. This seems to be the normal approach of him and his supporters for sometime now and the public are bored of it.
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time for a bit of objectivity methinks..
both sides – those who support stuart syvret and those who do not – suggest that they form the majority opinion.. we have no figures to suggest either case to be true.. internet viewing statistics of different websites are complex figures that require access to the complete data to obtain user trends.. in any case, they do not disclose each individual user’s standpoint on stuart syvret other than suggesting an interest in the current proceedings..
comments published on local media and blog sites are moderated and so the public is unaware of the full spectrum of comments submitted to any site.. i personally have had comments that have been refused publication on this website, channel online and stuart syvret’s blog so i know first-hand that all local websites covering stuart syvret’s actions refuse publication of comments for various reasons.. comments can also be submitted under any name a user chooses and so it is therefore difficult to suggest that a particular article’s published comments are reflective of wider opinion.
Had stuart taken a more moderate line in his conduct, he would probably have more support amongst the populace.. his blog however is relatively inaccessible due to it’s tone of arrogance and slander.. had he chosen to create a website that highlighted particular problems in the island in discrete sections and opened up a proper forum for objective debate on such issues without resorting to petty name-calling and sarcasm, he would have a good platform for engaging with the people of jersey separate from the local media..
in any case, it is interesting to question stuart syvret’s actions in london had jersey not been a crown dependency or if his proceedings to the high court fail.. what action would he take to resolve his case then?
if the problems exist in jersey, why can’t we deal with them in jersey?
answers on a postcard please.. be constructive.. jersey may have it’s problems but we can all work together to resolve the issues collectively and without so much division..
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Matt.44. Support for what?
Your response is rather desperate. Support for the extraordinary and continued lengths Stuart Syvret has gone to stand by many people on various issues that nobody else in the states cares very much about. The Senator is in a better position than I to expose skeletons in closets but is being constantly hindered in his attempt to do so. I, as a member of the public, am most certainly not bored and positively enjoying the debate that is now going on. Most interestingly is that debate is being allowed on these comment pages.
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Me to Mo! Glad to meet you!
There are issues. I think they are not just Stuart Syvret issues though, they are far more wider than him and you.
There is a lot of learning to be done from now on.
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You are all missing the point! this man is an egocentric attention seeker determined to waste as much public money and expensive debating time in the States on issues that center on his particular obsession of the day!
His actions, or rather lack of them, when in a position of power and authority to actually do something about issues in Jersey Children’s homes speak for themselves as far as this all consuming concern he has shown subsequently, which I am afraid smack more of making sure the finger of blame (Sadly there always appears to have to be one)points as far away from him as possible.
As for him withdrawing from Island politics? Frankly I’ll believe that when I see it!
As for this latest nonsense, everybody should just ignore it including the JEP.
And as for his opponents, stop giving this man ammunition to shoot you with!
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Rob Kent # 16 Re your comment on Stuart Syvret “His blog has been read by about 220,000 visitors (rising by several thousand each time he gets new publicity). According to Google AdWords tools there are 6,600 searches for his name every month” How do we know many of these aren’t the same people?
I used to support Stuart Syvret and saw him as David v Goliath, but lately he has well and truely gone off the rails. I think many people in Jersey feel the same. As for his numerous supporters, this may be just a case of a vocal minority.
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Data protection charges have been brought against Senator Syvret as a result of his disclosure of the confidential police report detailing the investigation of allegations of malpractice at the general hospital.
No-one can reasonably deny that these allegations are so serious that they have the most disturbing implications for patient safety.
The fundamental question in this whole saga relates to whether or not Senate Syvret’s actions were in the public interest when he put this confidential police report into the public domain.
Having studied the report and, given that patient safety is of paramount importance, I have absolutely no doubt that, in this instance, the Senator did the right thing and that, whatever his motives for so doing, his actions were in the public interest.
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Well I wish Senator Syvret the vary best with all he is trying to do with this case, he has had to go out on a limb, not only to get justice for himself, but for future generations to be able to enjoy a fair unbiased, lawful justice system which does not exist in this Island at present.
This man has personally given up so much in order to fight for what is right for the electorate to benefit from, and I for one am extremely grateful, he puts his heart and soul into his fight for justice, he is well worth his salary, it’s a pity there aren’t more like him in the States.
I want a dog that barks, not just nods.
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Still being relatively new to the island I don’t profess to be an expert in any form on the issue of Syvret. On the one hand he can appear paranoid but on the other, can everything he claims really be wrong??? I’m not so sure.
I would make a couple of points though. It is actually healthy to have outspoken politicicans prepared to upset the apple cart. Keeps the rest on their toes.
Secondly IF there is such a huge groundswell of support for SS, why don’t more of his ilk stand for election?? I read a lot of posts on here making sweeping statements along the lines of ‘the whole island is sick of the States’. Well, fine if that’s true, get off your backsides and do something about it, i.e. vote!!! Jersey does have a democracy, if people are too apathetic to use it, then they can’t complain at the outcome.
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#50 Phil,
Excellent letter Phil, you have told it exactly like it is, I wonder how many people out there have any idea that this is what it’s all about?
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Linda observed (in comment no. 51) that she “wants a dog that barks, not just nods”.
Stuart Syvret’s problem is that he barks an awful lot – but his actions have no bite!
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There is nothing couragious with what he has done. In fact to run off to the UK is pretty pathetic.
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Linda observed (in comment no. 51) that she “wants a dog that barks, not just nods”.
Stuart Syvret’s problem is that he barks an awful lot – but his actions have no bite!
He he! You are absolutely right though and like his dwindling supporters in the states, they have no teeth either!
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This whole discussion seems to ignore one simple FACT. That fact is that SS has been charged with 2 offences. The first is a very driving licence issue, of the sort that the court deals with not infrequently. The second is a bit more important but still a relatively technical offence.
Whether or not he is a good bloke, or courageously pursuing the truth that nobody else dare confront etc is irrelevant. He has been charged with these offences and everyone has to stand trial. If he has been busy on important matters that will be good mitigation. But nobody can claim to be above the law and it is surprising that someone who professes to believe in justice in any form can treat the judiciary with such contempt.
He refuses to do so on the basis that the Jersey courts are biased and justice cannot be obtained. He has been saying as much for at least 12 years, when he made the same statement to the New York courts in support of an application to have Mayo v Cantrade heard as a racketeering case in New York.
But if SS believes the police are biased against him, one might ask why he asked the Jersey police to investigate his claim that the Tax Justice Network were trying to blackmail him? And why the “establishment” did not prosecute him for wasting police time when he dropped that case at the same time that TJN claimed to have written proof the claim was without substance, on the basis that “he was too busy to pursue it”.
Until SS comes clean on that episode, however, I will have to regard him as a boy who cries wolf. And running away when someone stands up to you is, in my book, the opposite of courage.
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i would love to see what would happen if average joe bloggs wrote an article in a similar manner about somebody else.
joe bloggs would be sued i think
tottally agree with J G
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Mad Foetus.
At last a sensible comment on here.
Nobody is above the law
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The reason other States members don’t get such a hard time is pretty obvious.
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Many people have been openly criticized by SS and he has yet to be sued…. probably because he only states what he has sound evidence to support.
There is no legal reason why he cannot be sued if he spreads falsehoods but nobody has.
Some have hidden behind the excuse.. why sue if SS has no money – ergo no chance of montary award of damages – this is rubbish! If I was defamed I would sue just to clear my name and achieve a moral victory.
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Anyone can make childish and snide remarks about a person,but there are some important issues at stake here,that affect even those with the name calling mentality,if what SS says is pure twaddle why this massive attempt to quell him,if he was wittering away to himself interest would wain and he would blow away like an Autumn leaf in the breeze,yet just look at the resources deployed,surveillance.Ten man police raid on his home, what if he has devastating information, what if he really is right..?or why all this public enemy number one stuff and “enemy of the state” stalking..? There are some inexplicable events that seem mysteriously to have no credible explanations…people sacked,suspended, consultants who dissapear overnight,unresolved police issues..one day a headline…suddenly “Poof” as though by magic…gone..the public memory is short indeed but these things have happened ,have cost us millions,our taxes keep rising alarmingly to pick up the tab for all this mismanagement,ss not earning his keep…? £ millions spent on suspensions that are lasting years not days…still no explanations..I put it to you that Someone needs to be asking pressing questions.
Now might be a good time to remember the quote attributable to Voltaire ” I do not agree with what you say…butI will defend to the death your right to say it.” Whatever happens or whoever is right the proper thing not only needs to be done but be seen to be done..Openness won’t kill us..it frees
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IMO the man is completely self centred.
He has done nothing that he could not have done, quicker, with better results, and without dragging the name of jersey through the mire, all by using established methods available to any our States members.
That would have made him a respected man of action, instead of being the sad subject of ridicule that I and IMO the majority of Jersey voters think he has become.
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Interesting to consider the glorious career of our Chief Minister to date…
the failure to hedge Euros whilst he was Treasury Minister but for which debacle she shied away from any responsibility.
States property sold for much less than commercial values;
woeful handling of national media interest;
the o/10 proposals that many (including Syvret) recognized as being not fit for purpose.
Yet will we ever read a JEP leader criticizing Terry they way Syvret has been…. No… never.
No wonder then that many believe that JEP stands for Jersey Establishment Post
so slag Syret off by all means, but let’s have some balance
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There is a long period of time in which a person can take action against another though postings on the Net are not that easy to pursue. I would imagine that if Stuart Syvret was so sure about what he was saying about people he would stick his neck out and channel these allegations through a normal media source so that he can then be challenged on an even footing about his claims. But he like other bloggers has not got the bottle to do that. So you therefore have to question his accuracy. I have spoken to 3 victims of his blog to date and they all say the same thing. Its rubbish.
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Worth taking a moment to reflect on the following quotations from Jeremy Bentham, from c1825
“In the darkness of secrecy, sinister interest and evil in every shape, have full swing. Only in proportion as publicity has place can any of the checks, applicable to judicial injustice, operate. Where there is no publicity there is no justice”
“Publicity is the very soul of justice. It is the keenest spur to exertion, and the surest of all guards against improbity. It keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial”
Whatever each persons view of Senator Syvret, he has made many appropriate comments on the all too close relationship of the Government and the Justice system of Jersey, a relationship that is inappropriate and very unhealthy.
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The Chief Minister does not run a blog that slags people off though does he?
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Harry @ 64.
You are evry lucky that you have a spare hundred grand lying around that you can afford to just write off. Some of the people I know who he has written untruths about don’t.
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Harry says:
“Many people have been openly criticized by SS and he has yet to be sued…. probably because he only states what he has sound evidence to support.
There is no legal reason why he cannot be sued if he spreads falsehoods but nobody has.”
I would turn this argument around the other way. If SS has evidence that anything “wrong” (in the legal sense) happened at HDLG, why does he not give it to the victims? They could then sue both the States and the individuals involved in a civil action where they would only have to show on the balance of probability that negiligence (or worse) took place.
Or would you say, using your logic, that the absence of such cases proves that there is no evidence that something went wrong at HDLG?
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I keep reading this trite little comment trotted out “No one is above the law” when the full quote is “No one is above the law in our system” Judge Roberts,U.S. but what if the system is flawed….what if the man does not think he is above the law but is afraid of the law,bearing in mind his home was raided.and there are many here in the island, lawyers included who regard the Pace. law as fundamentally wrong and against our Human rights,therefore lawless. To regard the law as perfect is naive in the extreme, unless that be the law of fair play…for even Lord Denning Master of the rolls said “The law is an ass” think on folks.
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Personally I find Syvret’s opinions repetitive and mind numbingly boring these days. At the beginning his blog was an interesting read, he covered economics and selective subjects which were in essence of importance to everybody and an in depth viewpoint away from other politicians, but when his blog went personal against individuals who were either critics of his Haute de la Garenne meddling or questioned the coconut fiasco, he then made them subjects of unsubstantiated rumour and ridicule, so it took a massive nose dive and now it is just a pathetic sloppy read with little if any substance whatsoever.
He has a few die hard supporters but even their views are through rose tinted spectacles when you read into them. There is no concrete evidence to back up such claims. But Syvret’s problem is that he cannot take a critics view of him, which is surprising when you look at the length of time he has been in the States.
There is also an evident reversal of fate here but that is just karma. His biggest weakness is that he can hand out rubbish about others but he sure as hell can’t take any back thrown back at him.
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Slightly misleading headline, as SS has never earned his pay! He pursues his own personal crusades, and does not act in the interest of the tax payer at all.
It great news that he’s staying in London although his claim of asylum is laughable, and usually reserved for those who are being tortured, whose lives are at risk. Not those unwilling to attend a court hearing over such things as a driving license.
I hope he returns evey penny he earns while en defaut.
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stuart syvret has regularly slandered the deceased on his blog.
Unfortunately it is not possible to sue someone over defamations against the dead or otherwise several court actions would have been taken against the senator by now..
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75. “Unfortunately it is not possible to sue someone over defamations against the dead”
you forgot to mention that it’s not possible to sue… if its true!
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Unfortunately, he will be back. One thing this self obssessed man cannot stand is being out of the limelight. No one knows or cares who he is in the UK and I suspect his ‘friends’ over there will soom realise how deluded he is. Then, he will come back. With any luck he will just resign from the States and go back to rambling about nothing on his blog. At least then we won’t have to pay him any more of our hard earned tax money.
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Stuart Syvret (if he does not bother to show up for work in the States Assembly is he still worthy of the title “Senator”?) makes derogatory comments against the dead precisely because he knows that:
1. They cannot defend their reputations, and
2. They cannot sue him for damages, nor can their heirs.
Syvret (should we now call him “Mr”?) realises the cost effectiveness of this (no court cases, no damages to pay)and continues to dazzle his supporters with his “intellectual brilliance”.
I, and the other 15,130 people who voted for Stuart Syvret, feel cheated by his selfish, egocentric behaviour.
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‘Whatever each persons view of Senator Syvret, he has made many appropriate comments on the all too close relationship of the Government and the Justice system of Jersey, a relationship that is inappropriate and very unhealthy’.
Well said Stomach Ache, and the bottom line is that people that ‘protest’ and have grave misgivings about our Government and Judiciary do so for this very reason.
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JG,
You make this point about the close relationship between the government and the judiciary.
Here’s the problem. Jersey is a small community. The government and judiciary will be largely made up of people who are taking a significant pay cut because they have a public service ethic (of course many States members have in fact engineered a pay increase for themselves, but that is an irony lost on them).
You would naturally expect the social group on a small Island of “successful people with strong public service ethic” to be quite small.
The alternative would be to import at great cost an independent judiciary from outside the Island and train them in local law. We would need at least 3 full time judges plus relocation costs. A decent QC will be earning £1m plus a year so that would come to an additional £3-5m of public expense to bring in 3 full time UK judges.
It is unfortunate that the Deputy Bailiff is the brother of the ex-Bailiff. But the plain fact is that when WB was appointed as AG 8 or 9 years ago there was no competition for the job. There simply weren’t any other senior, competent lawyers in the Island willing to take a 75% pay cut in return for being systematically abused and accused of corruption by SS.
The plain fact in life is that you get what you pay for. SS has single handedly made being a senior civil servant in any form an unpleasant job. As a result, you have to pay more to attract people to the role.
So why you may think the closeness between judiciary and executive in unhealthy, and while that would be a correct conclusion to draw in a big jurisdiction if you are self-educated and so have not been provided with a context in which to apply your learning, in a small jurisdiction the issues are different. And the basic issue you have to ask is would you prefer GST to rise by an additional 1% in order to fund an independent judiciary and the increased salary civil servants will demand because of the abuse they now have to endure.
Oh, I’ve forgotten one thing. the UK is itself biased, as SS’s case against Jack Straw shows. So we can’t have an independent judiciary filled with judges from the UK. So we’ll need to get Australians, or Canadians. That’ll cost even more…
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Totally agree with post #80.
Well said Stomach Ache.
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I had to laugh at a comment elsewhere, Stuart is not even in the Island but still has some die hard supporters that are prepared to stand outside in the rain and blow whistles! How sad you get?
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The question is, is SS the reincarnation of Don Quixote? Is he chivalrous or just a farce?
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Stuart Syvret IS NOT THE ISSUE – he’s the messanger not the message. I despair of Jersey and it’s lazy apathetic people. Seems like you get the govt you deserve, but is this really what our forefathers fought for and died for?
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You are right, Stuart Syvret is no longer an issue anymore, he has no relevance in Jersey politics to anybody whatsoever. Good aye!
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Well, Paul – post no 85 – do you propose to take up the banner and fight for what is right and represent the downtrodden masses in the States? Or are you, too, apathetic. Or is it, just like Syvret are you another empty vessel making a noise but devoid of any substance?
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#85 you’re right, he really isn’t. The shower that are still there that ride roughshod over anyone who doesn’t revere them enough are the real issue… the sooner rid the better.
I have been shocked at how apathetic Jersey is, I would say far more so than the UK and I really didn’t expect that. However, the percentage of people that live numerous decades here is probably relatively small compared to the UK and that must make a difference to how much people care.
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having lived in Jersey for well over 20 years and dont even bother voting but if i did he would get my vote,sometimes it must feel like a very long road but at lest he has spine,and all he has exposed i’m sure there are a lot of people who are very happy with him as i am,keep going stuart
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C Shenkin, St Mary # 74
Nice well balanced post, you have SS in a nutshell
Leah Holmes #88
most people in Jersey are apathetic, IMO that’s because on the whole, we aint got a bad life here.
And, its so easy to go somewhere else if you don’t like it, maybe that’s why only us apathetic ones are left ?
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Is it not time for Senator Syvret to give some sort of account of his “struggle for justice” and his “high-level contacts” with the government of the United Kingdom?
Surely his hundreds – if not thousands – of loyal supporters are entitled to know.
If former Senator Syvret’s ‘blog contained less persiflage and more fact he would be more credible.
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Take sides whatever,but if this Government really wants to pacify everyone it needs to be rid of unelected people from the house,make sure the people are correctly represented .ie:your chosen Deputy can have access to the relevant facts he needs to make informed choices to enable him to actually vote effectively in the house, and above ALL we must separate the Judiciary from Government…come on guys this is 2009…the archaic and Mugabesque model is dead but wont lie down..put it and us out of our misery..Change it.
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As far as I am concerned I would still vote for Stuart Syvret, as he has shown he will not be put off no matter what. He has taken a hell of a lot of flack when he could have just said nothing, and gone with the flow. I am a tax payer and yes he can keep getting paid as far as I am concerned as he is helping others. I for one just hope we don’t get another yes man to replace him at the next elections.
As per the media they are biased in my opinion, people like Senator Ozouf are talked up all the time. No negativity reserved for these types is there? Obviously they must be perfect mustn’t they? However it looks like anyone who is outside the establishent is fair game for a good knocking. I see the above as an excellent example of this process, and this is why I never buy the JEP.
In Jersey the media does influence the public’s opinion on things, so it very import that all media outlets give an impartial balanced report on things.
What people should be doing is ignoring personalities and asking questions like:-
Is there any truth in what has been said?
An independent enquiry would get to the bottom of all this. So why not have one?
Another sensible question to ask is why publish unfounded allegations under your own name? What is to be gained from this? If people want to spread unfounded gossip it is normally done annonomously.
At the end of the day the truth must prevail no matter what the consequences may be.
An independent and open enquiry would see to this and we would all know the truth.
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Paul # 85 “Stuart Syvret IS NOT THE ISSUE – he’s the messanger not the message. I despair of Jersey and it’s lazy apathetic people. Seems like you get the govt you deserve, but is this really what our forefathers fought for and died for?”
I don’t want S.S. to deliver messages for me, when they are often misleading or inaccurate. He is a popularist….all he ever does is draw attention to what he claims to do for the benfit of the Island.
Furthermore I don’t think people in Jersey are apathetic; on the contrary I think they are more demanding than in may parts of the U.K. The majority don’t need S.S., becuase they are capable of forming their own views and expressing their own opinions, without the assistance of a pedantic zealot with an over inflated ego.
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He is a self obsessed egomaniac and should not be paid a penny more. Surely there is a way to have him thrown out of the States?
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Can somebody please explain to me why a States of Jersey Senator who has spent most of the year attacking the police, the judiciary and data protection on a 3rd rate blog then fragrantly snubs the courts and then flees to the UK to claim legal asylum, (which we are told has no legal meaning) would ever deserve a public vote again? I must be missing something here? If this is the kind of behaviour that some members of our society endorse then I wonder what planet they are living on, because it sure as hell is not mine.
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It’s a shame about Mr Syvret (we’re not on first name terms). I have voted for him in the past, but any person’s views, however sincerely held and vehemently expressed, are not necessarily the truth. Perhaps with time he will recover sufficient composure to recognize that wild allegations, sprayed about like machine gun fire, are less likely to persuade anyone to accept his arguments than rationlity and tangible evidence. His ability to fulfill his political obligations whilst an asylum seeker is a separate issue and should be decided by his fellow politicians..though I recognize that ‘decided’ and ‘politicians’ make strange reading in the same sentence.
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Political asylum from Jersey? What a loser! You can understand it if he was escaping from some despotic regime in Africa in fear of his life!
Yes the Jersey states can seem a bit of a joke sometimes but this is ridiculous.
Surely a bit of pressure from the states and the UK government will surely be oblidged to send him packing back here.
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It’s difficult to have a reasoned debate about this. Syvret is an egomaniac and his (few, and diminishing)supporters think that expressing a cogent argument is best done by blowing a whistle very, very loudly…
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Only in Jersey could a senior politician flee the island protesting that he can’t get a fair trial over a driving licence offence, and then so many acolytes rush to heap praise on him. You couldn’t make it up.
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this article is apaulling. Just because he is challenging the feudal system to which jersey is anchored, he is ridiculed and made to look a fool. He is anything but. The states are obviously feeling threatened by him (and so they should!) hence they employ their oldest ally; the media, to essentially smear Mr Syvret, hopefully the national media will follw the path of the daily mail and support him.
And to Mr. Syvret if you are reading this; you can see you have a lot of support. all power to you! dont give up the fight!
p.s im am sure this article will be edited by the Post so sorry if it reads weird at times.
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wake up, Wake up! SS has brought this reaction on himself. It is not because of his criticism of the current system of govt. (everyone is entitled to an opinion on that), its the way he, a senior politician, has gone about expressing his view and his refusal to answer charges of minor crimes.
By the way, the Daily Mail does not support him – it ran a piece on the story of him fleeing to the UK, just like it ran a piece on the massive ego of Lenny Harper and his waste of public money used in the HDLG investgation (which at the time, just like you, SS said was media bias! so it would seem that SS likes to pick and choose when the media is being fair (i.e. only when it supports his view)).
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As Senator Syvret has made the same allegations concerning the UK authorities, especially the UK Police and judicial system as he has of Jersey, perhaps he should be seeking asylum further afield.
Senator Syvret has on many occasions referred to the values of North Korea and given the Senators recent claims that the North Korea government are far more democratic than our oligarchic dictatorship and the fact that he is presently apparently in ear of Jersey secret agents being smuggled into England to get him I am sure he would feel far safer in the North Korea peoples paradise. Given his recent form I am sure he would find their style of politics far more to his liking. So to all those taxpayers who still support the Senator and as a mark of gratitude for all he has done, I would suggest that the Jersey authorities stump up the cost of buying him a one way air ticket and guarantee him safe passage to Heathrow.
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I say Mr Syvret you have LOST the fight!
A supporter referring to the Daily Mail is a laugh. What was that Sunday Mail Article last month by David Rose about the £20 Million Haute de la Garenne farce and how the police had wasted money digging up unreported missing bodies? And you wonder why tax payers in Jersey are furious with Mr Syvret? I rest my case.
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Wake Up (101), I hope you do wake up. I’ll bet if you ran a survey of people who supported Stuart Syvret, you’d get very few saying they supported him. I think you will find that you are in the minority.
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SSS is a laughing stock, simple as.
Ai am led to believe he is even making claims about MI5 being after him aswell now.
Where will this soap opera end?
His old and dust covered original motives have been long since overtaken by his personal crusade and sheer idiocy.
Every time I see the comment he made about his tiny situation in our magistrate court being akin to a “stallinistic show trial” I just have to laugh out loud.
Who does he think he is, The Godfather or something? It does sum up his ego though that he compares himself in that way.
Every month that he draws his salary sickens me.
If he is so anti Jersey at its system then there is a simple answer – MOVE AWAY.
The system aint perfect but he is a Jersey resident and must abide by its laws and its courts no matter what he thinks of them.
I look forward to the day he comes back with his tail between his legs, and if he really doesnt come back, then even better.
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TH eproblem with Senator Syvret is that he went from being a well respected politician, who seemed to be sensible, and measured in the approach he was taking. His voter base (being one of them) supported him throughout, even to the poitn of hoping he woudl one day work toward being Chief Minister. IT was his, had he not gone from a smart, person, delivering the people of the Island a fairer system, to a bitter man, who has taken personal criticism too far, and instead of letting personal fights wash off his back, he has let it get to him. It is called politics Senator.
Now he has gone to extreme’s for personal ends. Let’s face it, Jersey in entirety is a lucky place, and there will always be wealth differences everywhere – Jersey is no different, and have a decent system to cover it).
Senator Syvret forget to work with his States colleagues, and isntead worked against them.
It is unfortunate that there is no alternative to vote for.
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The worst thing about this whole story is that it is taking away attention from the fact that we have a shower of politicans who don’t care a jot what any of the electorate think. They must be loving that SS is the centre of attention because God knows what they’re getting up to while our minds are elsewhere. Has anyone considered that SS is the PRODUCT of Jersey’s political system? Is is just possible that the system is the real problem?
Until there is a LOT more transparency (and it may require a party system to get there) then there will be Syvrets! The lack of information given to the public in Jersey is an utter joke, it really is. The amount of power that our politicians have (without any worry about recourse) is scary. And elections (by the Jersey system) are not an opportunity for recourse, they’re an absolute joke.
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Stuart Syvret must have had a wry smile at todays abysmal vote against a committee of enquiry over Soc sec.failings which left the vulnerable at the mercy of the predator, what is it with this island and secrecy..so wrapped up in worrying about what people might think,preserve a false front at all costs…Don’t you know it’s too late ,the eyes of the world have already made up their mind about what goes on here and Govt. bought on the very thing it wished to avoid by it’s addiction to secrecy and untruth, we’ve already displayed our backside on Paxman…all this cloak and dagger really enforces SS’s stance. it’s hardly surprising.
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So Stuart Syvret was right yet again, and a committee of enquiry will NOT investigate a shocking case, yes…..another cover up.
Senator Syvret came across extremely well on his CTV interview, and if no-one understands yet why he is in this fight heaven help us all!
I am appalled that he has not had any show of support from other States members. At least the man has the courage of his convictions and will not be swayed from them, which is more than any of the others can say.
This festering cesspit must be emptied sooner rather than later.
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Stuart came across well on the CTV interview? Are you making it up as you go along? From what I watched the interviewer had him on the ropes, appeared to almost be crying at one stage. Nobody in their right mind would support a member of the States that runs away from the legal system. Besides you say the vote today was no surprise, well perhaps if Syvret had turned up for work and made his speeches, maybe just maybe the result may have been different.
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How long will it be before Mister Syvret recalls that old Jersey chestnut “There’s a boat in the morning”?
The only difference is that the boat that Mister Syvret should catch is the one departing from Weymouth – to St Helier.
And the sooner the better.
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J.G. (110) Stuart Syvret has been like a flash in the pan and is all style and no substance.
I was a big supporter of his at the beginning, but he has made a fool of himself, but worse still he has put the Island – never mind the States – in a bad light. Yes the States are weak, but the island has prospered inspite of all this. S.S. has drawn the world’s attention to the shortcomings of the Island’s Government and that is unforgiveable.
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“The worst thing about this whole story is that it is taking away attention from the fact that we have a shower of politicans who don’t care a jot what any of the electorate think.”
Well Leah, perhaps now you understand why so many of us think that SS cares about nothing other than his ego. Fleeing the Island to avoid a charge of failing to have an up to date driving licence. As others have said, you couldn’t make it up.
Plain fact is SS thinks he is the most important thing in the world. He is an adolescent who cannot accept the views of others and believes anyone who disagrees with him is corrupt, establishment, evil etc. If only life were that straightforward.
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Edna #113 “S.S. has drawn the world’s attention to the shortcomings of the Island’s Government and that is unforgiveable. ”
That’s PRECISELY what he’s fighting against; people who value Jersey’s image on the world stage above all else. Justice comes off second best, does it?
Sorry but I’m disgusted by islanders who only listen to the hype and spout off more ignorant bile instead of actually bothering to work out exactly what is really going on.
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Well i thought he came across very well on tv.
The Intervier was trying her best to put words in his mouth and interupting all the time.
Spot on leah.
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Thousands of true islanders know there should have been a separation of powers between the judiciary and the Govt. long ago….SS has tried to highlight and change this for years…do some of you really think a man who has endured dawn raiding,being ostracized etc. would run away from what would be a mere slap on the wrist in Court terms…Could it just be that he seeks to bring light to shine on the shortcomings of our system….outside Jersey..Oh yes there is an outside…grown ups are asking really salient questions about our dark side that seeks to stay hidden..so do I give him more credence than he deserves?…Wait and see.
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He is a joke. Some people may be happy for their tax money to be spent on his whims but I’m not. Here’s a thought; stop giving him States money – if you want to help him start a collection.
Now, that’s off my chest, can we PLEASE stop talking about him…. he’s like a child; all you do is encourage it!
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Michael #118 “like a child”
It’s more childish to fire off opinions based upon an incomplete understanding of the issues. Str Syvret obviously thinks he’s got a good case, and he seems sane enough to me, experienced and very intelligent, so why not wait and see what happens? Do you really think he’d go through all this for the fun of it, or just for the attention?
He does seem to play his cards close to his chest and is quite the tactician, so there is bound to be more to this that we’ve yet to hear. Don’t be so quick to judge
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Stop giving St Stuart anymore attention. Everybody has already made their minds up on this so come on lets move onto other more important issues everybody!
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There is sufficient evidence already in the public domain that should be investigated that will clearly show that Senator Syvret has very good reason to believe the the judicial system in Jersey is seriously flawed. You headlines tonight only reinforce this.
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“Str Syvret obviously thinks he’s got a good case”
I would have thought a question of whether a person has renewed their driving licence or not would be a rather simple one for the magistrate to decide. But in Syvretworld everything is a conspiracy and nothing straightforward.
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Disgusted # 115. By Mr. Syvret bringing the Island into risrepute, there is a strong possiblity that everyone’s standard of living will be reduced. His stamping of feet and throwing his Teddy Bear out of his pram, has done little to enhance the Island’s chances of gaining business, be that finance, agriculture, or tourism.
Also his alliance with Lenny Harper has done little to improve the safeguarding of children. Instead of presenting admissible evidence he had thus far only highlighted anecdotal information. If there was corroboration, surely this would have been produced before now.
Yes he is an intelligent and articulate man, but so were many other misguided politicians. The sooner he he stops putting his foot in it, the better.
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THE extraordinary failings of a Royal Court judge are likely to have cost taxpayers several million pounds.
TAKEN FROM: ‘Unfair judge costs millions’ by Andy Sibcy (Article posted on 6th November, 2009)
HOSPITAL consultant John Day’s suspension is estimated to have cost the taxpayer around £800,000.
TAKEN FROM: ‘Consultant suspension challenge (Article posted on 29th May, 2009)
SUSPENDED States staff at two departments cost the taxpayer almost £1 million last year.
The breakdown of suspended Health staff from 2008 is five health care assistants, four civil servants, four nurses and midwives, one manual worker and one doctor/dentist.
TAKEN FROM: ‘Suspended States staff cost £1 million in 2008′ By B.Quérée and J.Hutchinson (Article posted on 14th March, 2009)
So what’s another £43,000 a year?
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Gross Misconduct (121)- How very right you are, but there will still be those who can see no further than the end of their noses. This headline could not have become news at a more appropriate time.
Also Edna Cloud (123) – Yesterdays headlines citing the very sad case that Jackie Hilton spoke about in the States, and the failure of the Social Services yet again proves you are very, very wrong. We now have evidence from another States member of failings, again something which Stuart Syvret highlighted many times.
Seems he has been more right than wrong!
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In any other form other than the written word this is bullying, the man is broken and looking for help, shame on you all, his crime was to enter the States at a young age to try and help the people of Jersey, bruised and battered for not conforming, not nice reading, all will be noted in the history of the island and I hope things do not fall so low as to warrent the man moving from Jersey due to a hate campaign,thank goodness times have changed and they dont have stoneing in Jersey? Do they? this all has the similarity of a man years ago in St. Martin who was forced to move to the ecrehos due to a baying crowd.
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By Mr. Syvret bringing the Island into disrepute, there is a strong possibility that everyone’s standard of living will be reduced. His stamping of feet and throwing his Teddy Bear out of his pram, has done little to enhance the Island’s chances of gaining business, be that finance, agriculture, or tourism.
While I value my standard of living and appreciate that Jersey must work towards its best economic advantage, I also value freedom of expression, the fair administration of justice and other basic democratic rights.
The Peter Michel decision has been overturned and I would argue that the Curtis Warren decision is also unsafe and open to appeal.
If the law courts in Jersey continue handing down these decisions the UK will be along to take a look.
Ultimately the UK is responsible for the good governance of the islands, the protection of the natural rights of the inhabitants and the administration of justice.
The failures of the current establishment are inviting them in.
Cameron and his Tory boys and girls will be in next spring.
The first thing they will do is crack down on any tax havens as they raise taxes and cut expenditure to balance the budget while going for a bit of quantitive easing on the side.
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Every abuse claim in Jersey seems to now be attributed to Stuart Syvret. This is ridiculous, if you speak to people outside of the Syvret supporters bubble they are asking as to why he spent 7 years in charge of health and never during that time said or did anything? Now lets get back to the current situation, if people think he is right to run away from court charge then what example is that to anybody else he accuses of a crime?
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I would have had more respect for the man if he had identified some of these flaws when he was the minister in charge of H&SS, rather than throwing his toys out of the pram after he was sacked.
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Funny how all these judicial people do their qualifications in the UK and then according to the “fugative” change to self centred governance as soon as they get back to Jersey. You have to make it up!
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Big Bean #130
If you do your homework and read his blog you’ll see his explanation for that.
Don’t fall into the trap of joining the None So Blind As Those Who Refuse To See. I’m disgusted to be living amongst people who happily put the islands image way above justice. It’s not Stuart’s fault if things are a mess and he’s trying to sort it out – it shouldn’t be a mess in the first place.
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Big Bean, two wrongs do not make a right and when I read his blog attacking people in the States and elsewhere I realise that for Syvret it is a hell of a lot more personal for him than anybody else. He appears to be heading a small number of cyber bullies that have nothing else better to do.
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Stuart Syvret’s self-imposed “exile” today enters its third week.
It is odd that a person with such a flair for self-publicity has gone very quiet over what he is doing to further his cause.
One of his main aims was to serve a “Final Notice Before Action” on the UK Secretary of State for Justice.
Not a word in his blog on how that project is progressing.
Odd, very odd indeed.
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I am sure he hasn’t been wasting his time over these last three weeks. Maybe this is just the lul before the storm? Time will tell.
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We have been promised a storm for nearly two years now so I wouldn’t hold your breath.
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What is most odd is how people criticise without bothering to research all the facts. Stuart explains everything as he goes along, it’s all there if you take the time to read.
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Stuart may explain what he is doing all the time but it doesn’t make it normal!!!
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Stuart may give a very good account of what he is doing and why he is doing it, but there is more than one side to every story.
In answer to your statement ‘if you had done your homework’ (@ disgusted), I have done my homework. However, I prefer not to rely on just one source, but have gathered my information from many other sources too, and I’m not just talking about the media!
As it happens, I agree with some of Syvret’s gripes, I am just unhappy at his lack of his understanding into some of those important issues and his ability in ensuring that changes are made. He has lost total credibility and what sensible politician is going to give him the time of day now. He has lacked leadership, shifted blame and cannot accept responsibility. He has behaved unprofessionally, and has clearly shown that he lacks any real understanding.
Potentially, he could have made a difference, but his bizarre behaviour, his personal attacks, his unfounded accusations on some and his quest to over inflate his already over inflated ego have destroyed any chance of that.
From the Bellwood fiasco all the way to this latest episode (and quite franky, do we really care if he forgot to renew his license, not really!) it just beggars belief. You couldn’t make it up!
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