‘No one’s up to top job in States’
Saturday 18th October 2008, 9:58AM BST.
POLL-topping Senator-elect Ian Le Marquand says that none of the 53 States Members have the skills it takes to be Chief Minister.
The former Magistrate, who topped the poll in each of the 12 parishes in Wednesday’s Senatorial election, says that Jersey needs better-quality election candidates, better States Members and better ministers.
The 57-year-old – who is the subject of the Saturday Interview in today’s Jersey Evening Post – was asked during the campaign who he would vote for Chief Minister. Like 14 of the 21 candidates, he did not offer a name, saying just that he would back ‘the best candidate for the post’.
Only Senators Paul Routier and Mike Vibert, and newcomers Daniel Wimberley, Nick Palmer, Montfort Tadier and Nick Le Cornu answered the question. Asked again about whom he would back, Senator-elect Le Marquand said: ‘The answer is that I am not happy with any of the current candidates. That is a truthful answer. I do not think any of the 53 Members have the necessary qualifications.’
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Senator-elect le Marquand is merely saying what has been apparent for a long time. His very willingness to state the facts makes him the most suitable candidate for the job.
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It would be good to know what ‘necessary qualifications’ Senator-elect Ian Le Marquand expects from a Chief Minister.
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Nice one Ian! just confirming what we already knew!
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Here here, or if you wanted me to give it a go think i’ve probably got more common sense than most of them put together not all of us blow plastic trumpets!!!
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Fair comment Ian, the answer is simple advertise the job in the uk press, like we do for all the other top jobs, the public do not need to vote on this as it is effectively an dictatorship.Anyone know if Idi Amin is still alive? Stalin? Maggie Thatcher?
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I fully agree with Senator elects statement and I to think that it makes hime the obvious candidate for chief minister at least he can talk with out saying um or er in every sentance ! does it not drive anyone else mad that even when the script is written for them they answer with er and um in every single sentance its appauling ! at least Le Marquand speaks fluently and confidently.
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So no one is suitable, not even himself, as all 53 fail the test as he has stated above. Whom does he propose to vote for if no one is any good?
Does this maen no next Chief Minister and hence the collapse of this form of government?
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I think that Ian Le Marquand is probably going to be the best politician we have had in years. He is decisive, honest and is not afraid of expressing his concerns or feelings. Well done! Let’s have a spokesperson for the people now – we certainly need it – someone level headed and has had years of experience in dealing fairly with people from all walks of life. As a judge he was aware of the problems that could befall some unfortunate people – some I know not so unfortunate but he was able to deal with them fairly and in a manner that could assist them. That is what we need in this Island when decisions at the highest level need to be made. Leave the decisions to him the rest of you and perhaps Jersey can be Jersey again!
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The Chief Minister needs:
Vision – to put forward a future for Jersey that everyone will support
Intelligence – to develop sustainable plans to make the vision happen
Courage – to drive the vision forward to implementation
Charm – to carry everyone with him or her while making it happen
We’re in real trouble aren’t we.
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It will be interesting to see how Ian le Marquand gets on in the States.
He is obviously an intelligent man and has a lot of outside experience but he has not made a speech or asked a question in the House yet.
I have followed UK politics quite closely for twenty five years and I can think of plenty of MP’s that were expected to do well on entering the Commons only to spend years on the back benches or give up after a few terms and try their hand at something else.
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This is what i have thought for the last Four years.
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Mr Le Marquand is, above all else, a modest man. His self-effacement and humble countenance is a lesson to us all. I expect that, given this modesty and self effacement, he will reluctantly accept the post of minister for home affairs in order to humbly and modestly serve the people of this island. We should be grateful to have someone of Mr Le Marquand’s calibre [and modesty] in our midst. Clearly, he is the only person who would be fit for high office and his vast experience as a states member would befit him for such an elevated position.
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It’s very easy to criticise others bit perhaps Ian should bide his time a bit and wait to see how he fars in the the States before making such rash statements. We all hope he does well but he is yet unproven!
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Ian Le Marquand would not be a good choice for Chief Minister. He did not get my vote as he is no better than those we have in at the moment. He is strictly religious and politics and religion do NOT mix.
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