Stone Age thinking… .but it didn’t come from Deputy Wimberley

Tuesday 3rd March 2009, 2:59PM GMT.

From Chris Perkins.
IN common with many people, I was very disappointed that the States did not rescind the incinerator project. I was, however, just as disappointed by the poor quality of debate and the lack of understanding displayed by many of our el-ected representatives.

Deputy Wimberley brought a deeply researched, scientific proposition to the House.

Unfortunately, TTS Minister Mike Jackson seemed to think that Deputy Wimberley somehow had a desire to return us to the Stone Age and said of him that ‘he seems to think we should all revert to living in caves and wearing animal skins’. This, sadly, portrays a lack of understanding of environmental issues that really is from the dark ages.

We must take care of our Island and our planet. Just two weeks ago the president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science said that ‘the American President has just four years to save the planet’.

Jersey can play its part in saving the planet, and it has to start now.

Our States Members have a responsibility to take heed of the scientific evidence that indicates how close we have come to environmental Armageddon. Otherwise future generations may look upon animal skins as being the height of luxury.
53 Garden Lane,
St Helier.

1
Nellie Macon

March 4, 2009 at 8:58 am

And during the debate Sarah Ferguson stated that she did not believe in global warming – is this having her head in the sand or what? Even the RHS publish global warming as factual and they are respected worldwide. How on earth do these people get re-elected?

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2
Bean done over again

March 4, 2009 at 12:13 pm

They get voted in, Nellie, because of voter apathy.

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3
Pip Clement

March 4, 2009 at 1:27 pm

Jersey is a small island so despite the posing as world-class politicians on a world stage etc and the fancy titles most of the members of the States are about as competent as a borough councillor in the UK but there are a few in there that would make a reasonable back bencher in the Commons. This is a because the Island has a small and, I would say, shallow pool of possible political talent. In the UK, future MPs will often cut their teeth in local government and they have learnt the ropes before joing the Commons. Jersey does not have a political ‘nursery’ so the standard of debate etc in the House is abysmal. The absence of a party system in the Island is also a weakness. It does allow good independents to be elected but it also allows mavericks to get elected on a tide of political support. In the UK some of them would be thrown out as too off the wall at the party candidate selection stage.

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