Senator Syvret should do the honourable thing
Saturday 2nd May 2009, 2:59PM BST.
From Philip Mourant Pallot.
MAY I, through your columns, add my opinions on the behaviour of Senator Stuart Syvret to the general comments arising in our ancient democracy?
With rights and privileges, there need to be responsibility and respect for the rule of law. The Senator has knowingly abused that position on a number of occasions. Having been suspended from the Assembly on a previous occasion, it would be reasonable to expect that he had learned a lesson.
He has with impudence released confidential material, not just to the printed media but also on to the internet via his blog site, rather than in the States Chamber, where it belonged. He has not broken House rules; he has allegedly broken the law.
I have taken the trouble to read Senator Syvret’s blog, and all I came across was
vituperative verbiage of the worst kind. Do all his utterances rely on a cheap thesaurus? Was he not in the Chamber when the Data Protection Law was passed?
He was arrested because he is alleged to have broken the law, and has further shown no respect for it in the Chamber unless it has suited his own ends and inflated ego.
The police operation was heavy-handed and has just served to give him more verbal ammunition.
This politician should give serious consideration to his position. His behaviour is a disgrace to the conventions of historical privileges awarded to members of the States of Jersey. Remember, our franchise pays his salary and expenses.
He should consider the honourable course of action. However, I won’t hold my breath – I’d probably asphyxiate beforehand.
La Maisonette,
Mont du Gouray,
St Martin.
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee
JEP Jubilee Editions
Saturday 2 June: Guide to Celebrations
Wednesday 6 June: Souvenir of Events
View The Queen in Jersey supplement
Travel
To, from and around the Island
Airport Arrivals/Departures
Harbours Arrivals/Departures
Bus Information/Timetables
This is Jersey
Jersey Evening Post
Useful links
One has to give Senator Syvret his due and that is that he has brought to light many things that the States should have been ashamed of.In particular they way in which anything that may be contentious or reflect upon them is immediately confined to a secret session.
Jersey is not a democracy how can it be when the head of the Executive and Judicary are one and the same.Secondly you have an attorney general who says every one is equal under the law .This appears to be a contradiction in terms when applied to Senator Syvret.He was arrested and held without a warrant.He could not be caught under one law so they tried to get him on another.The AG was rather late in admitting that he was in the picture from the beginning which gives one to presume that you in Jersey are not equal under the rule of law but only under that as applied by the Attorney General.
If the States wish to be taken seriously the should start by at least going through the motions of aspiring to be a democratic chamber.,With this i mean having everything out in the open.Keep a close check on both the Police and the Judicary.Stop acting like a load of sheep,try to show a little bit of independent thought and remember you represent the public.You are not there to jump at the bark of the minsters but to bring them to account.
At present the opposite seems to be happening. Yours Sincerely Barry Runacres.Moorselstraat 121,3080 Tervuren,BelgiumKeep a c
Report abuse
If Senator Syvret did not have his blog we would continue to be living in ignorance about what really goes on in this island.
In the absence of any freedom of information legislation in Jersey, how else would the ordinary public know what is going on?
A paternalistic government with the great and the good deciding what we should and shouldn’t know has no place in a 21st century democracy,
We should be a bit less sensitive about upsetting the powers that be, Senator Syvret’s comments would be within the normal cut and thrust of politics anywhere else. Time to burst the bubble of control and secrecy that serves only those that have something to hide.
As for the cheap thesaurus jibe, reading his letter suggests that Mr Pallot has dipped into a similar publication.
Report abuse
Wonderful letter sums up the situation of Syvret to a T.Your letter also speaks for the majority.
Report abuse
Kate #3. You know that for a fact do you? I do not recall being asked for my thoughts, nor am I aware of any poll where I can vote one way or the other.
If anything, comments on these forums tend to suggest that the ‘majority’ disagree with you and about half a dozen regulars who will try to find any excuse to critisize Syvret on any subject – from religion to global warming!
Please provide the empirical data for your assertion, or else try to stop yourself from making things up.
Report abuse
“the majority” Kate? We’ll see at the next elections, won’t we?
Report abuse
Nellie if I were you I would be more concerned about Jeremy’s seat. He has hardly made a good impression to date. Especially with you running his case all the time.
Report abuse
What makes you so sure, Kate?
Report abuse
Well said, James.
Report abuse
Kate – I beg to differ with you. Stuart Syvret may rub those who do not like him up the wrong way, but what he is trying to do is make those of us who look a bit deeper see exactly what is wrong in this Island and for some, the truth hurts!
Report abuse
James
Without wishing to divert to far from the topic of this letter, I would be grateful to know which ‘cases’ you are referring to regarding Jeremy and Nellie Macon.
Or is this just more of the same anti-commie-leftie-radical mudslinging?
Report abuse