Sleeping Deputy was ‘working late’
Wednesday 13th May 2009, 3:00PM BST.
DEPUTY Montfort Tadier has admitted falling asleep overnight in the States building – but says he was working, not sleeping off a night on the town.
The St Brelade No 2 Deputy made a brief statement in the House today because he said he did not want other Members to get into trouble, and because of ‘false and scurrilous’ allegations that he had been drunk.
He said that he dropped off after working late in the Members’ room and the Computer room, after meetings with constituents in town.
Another politician who had gone into work just after 5.30 am is believed to have discovered the Deputy asleep in one of the conference rooms downstairs, on Friday 1 May, after the three-day States sitting.
During States question time yesterday, a number of politicians raised concerns about the incident and pressed the chairman of the Privileges and Procedures Committee about it.
No official complaint was made about the incident, according to States Greffier Michael de la Haye, who did not reveal the name of the States Member.
Read the full story in the Jersey Evening Post. Click here for subscription details. Individual editions are also available online.
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What is the biggest nascence in all the innuendo? Or, the JEP report or Deputy who has failed to deal with the matter tactfully?
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It’s an absolute disgrace. Whoever has done this should be disciplined at the highest level. Just imagine sneaking into the work place, drunk and being found asleep in the staff room by a manager. There are definitely some States Members that are not mature or worthy enough to be in Public Office and this person should be named, shamed and sacked.
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I think it’s awesome, what a legend!!!
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I can bet you its not Jeremy Maçon, his mother would never let im out that late.
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James. have you read the report as I find your post confusing.
I post as someone who is not a particularly big fan of Montford Tadier, but having taken the time to read the story this is not even worth reporting, let alone getting upset over.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I have worked late and fallen asleep in the office, only to be woken up by the early birds coming in the following morning.
Thank God I didn’t get the grief poor old Monty’s getting. Instead my dedication and commitment was noted. Fair play to Montford for setting the record straight to nip this unnecessary fiasco in the bud.
Now let us as members of the public show maturity and move on to something that is worth a rant.
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I can only speak for myself but when I’m tired I can’t wait to get home to my bed. When I’m hammered I am less discerning and will sleep anywhere!
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Too true James, the events so far this year are putting the Island’s Government into disrepute and this is just another example of something that will leave the public dismayed once again. Its time for a change and they should remove this dead wood as quickly as possible, cut down states members and bring in a tighter code of conduct for all.
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Well it is neither here nor there if the Deputy had one, two or many drinks – the vast majority of adults have done so at some point and the late great Alan Clark claimed to have spoken in the Commons the worse for wear!
But sleeping in the office, sober or drunk, is deemed by most employers to be a gross disciplinary offence and with good reason – where would it end if employees could simply claim that they were tired and neede a kip because they didn’t want to go home?
So the Deputy should apologise, admit that it was an error of judgment and then perhaps he could be allowed to move on.
There is however an interesting pattern emerging from the behaviour of States Members Tadier, Southern, Pitman and Syvret – doing things which break the codes of acceptable behaviour (or even the law) and then claiming that they were in the right to do so because it is good for democracy and shows what an excellent representative they are – not apologising for their errors of judgment, ill behaviour or law-breaking is a necessary but distasteful element of this charade, which I believe demonstrates their contempt for the rules the rest of us feel compelled to follow.
At least Jimmy Perchard said sorry….
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he was present then.
i worked with monty years ago, and still see him today now and then.
when we worked together he was never drunk or came to work smelling of drink, fact…
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the establishment has already identified him as an ememy.
All states members have access to the states building and can be used 24/7.
he said he went there to work as many of them do.
I believe him.
do not pick people up before they fall.
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I know montfort is working very hard in his job and believe that he did fall asleep as he said.
This is an attack on him by the old boys because like syvret he is not one of them.
Where is the proof he was drunk ?
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Hardly worth the column inches you have wasted on this ‘story’.
All quite amusing, and until you know the facts James, you should not jump to conclusions.
States Members have access at all times to the States Building, so nothing illegal has happened.
Read some ‘real’ stories James.
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Ahh Bless’ Monty is one of the good guys,probably just worn out,any of you out there ever fallen asleep at your chair in work…? certainly self employed people will identify with it….send us a text next time Monty,we’ll slip round with a Horlicks.
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This is mischief making of the highest order. Whoever circulated the rumour in this sort of manner should be the one who is disciplined. If there were genuine concerns then surely they would have been raised at the time. Just because a deputy has fallen asleep at the States chambers does not mean he was drunk and snuck back in. All of our states members have 24-7 access, and Deputy Tadier has used the option of working at late hours. To the contrary of an earlier post, many employers would be happy to employ such a hard worker. Let’s just let normal procedures deal with the matter first and foremost, and learn the facts before making judgement on innuendo and rumour.
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It’s good to know that they are working late nights and early mornings!
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and we are paying 40 grand a year for this
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Does anybody remember when our former chief minister refused to name the politician who accompanied him abroad and disgraced himself after having had one too many – attracting a complaint from a notary? Frank Walker deemed this information ‘not of public interest’.
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What’s the problem if he was asleep, they don’t do anything when they are awake anyway !!!!
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To be honest, who really cares whether the deputy was working through the night or decided to sleep at work?
As long as his night times activities do not interfere with his day time duties, then it shouldn’t matter what he gets up to in the evening….
Clearly today is a NO NEWS day in Jersey!!
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well done montford tadier for holding your hand up and admitting this if only some other states members could be so honest!
i voted for montford i knew he would deliver but i never expected him to work this hard!again well done!
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so who cares
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Could not care less on this, but I know that for a fact all access to states buildings are monitored. So if you want to prove it either way best somebody pull the files and see what time he got in there. In tomorrow’s news I am sure we will see any bar staff – door staff speaking up on if they saw him or not.
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What a joke, when will we ever get better people in the States? It is time to up the wages and get more responsible people applying.
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What does it matter?
Everyone should get a life, mind their own business’s, and stop worrying about the little things in life.
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Usual tedious story – no real news so front page is about a man who falls asleep… So funny!!
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This just shows the calibre of these so called “new” States Members. Whether he was drunk on the night, I don’t know, but anybody thats had a drink or two and then goes into work, can’t be capable of doing any proper work! The whole thing stinks.
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Clearly there is no teeth in regulating the behaviour of states members, who are little more than local councillors,unless they decide to take a more mature view and ensure that a process of standards is undertaken in an agreed enforcable code of ethics to include all publically funded members, who are privileged to be be paid by the public and should be held to account, when they fall below those standards.
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Well it seems Monty has courted contreversy more than once this week, he upset a group of former servicemen and their wives on Liberation day by not singing the national anthem or at least trying to bluff it by mouthing the words and when tackled on the subject by a veteran he declared i am a republican, the man is a disgrace and should resign immediately, it is a shame he did not tell the voters at election time he was a republican as he knows most people would not vote for him. Surely something as contreversal as being a republican would be at the top of his manifesto list, but he knows not many people on this island are interested in independance and are happy with the queen as our head of state. Also, he presumably swore allegiance to the queen on entering the states…what a joke.
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Let’s get the real story. Monty was planning to put the States building down as a second home, get a turbo trouser press, portico on the front and stable his horses in the Royal Square. Absolute disgrace!!
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Is there actually a specific rule stating that Deputies may not sleep in the States Building? Seems fairly harmless to me. NJ.
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There seems to be rather alot of sleeping going on in that building recently…..
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Stop worrying about the little things in life? You want to try telling Deputy Tadier that. This is the boy that was on the radio having ago at Jimmy Perchard. This boy has a lot more to learn about the behaviour expected of him in the job.
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any real news today? this bad weather should be making news. media said it was to be a good summer!! whats happening ?truth please!
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Non-story.
This is yet another example of the JEP and other island media devoting time and effort to diversionary nonsense.
I know you’ve been asked before, but could we have some real investigative journalism please?
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Dave is right! How can any proper work be done after a late night with friends. Perhaps this explains the standard of his work so far?
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A politician working into the early hours? That must be a first isnt it. Fair play to him for working so hard. It would be nice if all the states members worked so hard for the perple of Jersey.
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The more they try to discredit the new members and “lefties”, it will backfire because the average working person will support them even more. Most people support like to support an underdog struggling against a too powerful system, especially if that underdog is on their side.
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Honsetly I don’t know whats worse, the reporting of the story or the fact that some people are actually offended! I manage an office of pretty serious individuals and if I found or was made aware of an ‘incident’ like this I may make a sarky comment like don’t make a habbit of it or similar but its not news worthy! (even on the office facebook page!)
Monty; fair play for putting your hands up, you must have known what a palavor the stuck up hippocritical residents of the island would make and I salute you… Anyone who has actually done a job where they were trusted with a key (and there’s many who aren’t!) understand that their out of hour actions may have repercussions IF they were to use the office inappropriately. Otherwise be it working late or saving the taxi ride home… ‘Just don’t make a habit of it…’ lol
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The question is, will he now submit a claim for expenses for the States Buildings as a second home? It just shows the man is human; there is no evidence to prove he was drunk so why can’t people just forget it – mind you it doesn’t say much about the security of the building.
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The man claims he was working so late he actually fell asleep in the States Building, surely this is the kind of commitment we’d like to see from all our politicians? We should tell him to take it easier in future, not condemn him! NJ.
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This is such a non-story. Obviously the JEP folks don’t pay a lot of attention during States sittings. I attended 2 weeks back (discussion was around States Employment tribunals) and noticed:
- 2 members fast asleep (14:00)
- 2 members intently focused on their Blackberries
- 1 member attempting to excavate an obstruction from their nasal cavity for the better part of 30 minutes
I’d say catching a few winks in the wee hours of the morning is a non-issue by comparison.
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What a politically motivated non-story this is! Can anyone imagine this kind of story getting press in England – oh no – MP falls asleep at his desk! Put it on the front page! What about the real issues that we face – the credit crunch, crime, the environment, the power of the old fogy conservative old boy network politicians in Jersey?? As far as I can see, there is no proof of any wrongdoing here. Also, the guy went to his office remember. If he wanted to sleep, presumably he would have went to a friend’s house or his own so the implication is that he was working initially – he should be commended.
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A rogue deputy thats using the States Chamber to sleep. Just about sums up the States of Jersey doesn’t it. This year has been nothing but a farce and I wait with in anticipation for the next act of stupidity from a States Member…..
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Well said SteveC. Problem here is the older members have to resort to behaving like children because they dont like anything new being introduced to their playground. Its time these childish old coffin dodgers grew up and did some proper work or left. Actually come to think of it until they grow up maybe I should stop paying my taxes as I thought there was a law against child-ish labour!
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Good lad monty,
seems like the man is after you now.
watch your back before they start discussing your dietry requirements
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Is this the best they could do?
If what Monty said is true (and there is no evidence to dispute it), the two glasses of wine would have been out of his system within a couple of hours of consumption. What then do we have?
A sober elected member of our government who decides to work through the night and may, or may not, have nodded off.
People are really scraping the bottom of the barrel to bring this up in the House and that is the real disgrace and waste of taxpayers money.
We have politicians and civil servants who are losing us millions of pounds, we have a housing crisis, a credit crisis and real questions over civil liberties and yet the top story of the day is this?
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“The power of the old fogy conservative old boy network politicians in Jersey??” LOL
Like it or lump it, the majority of Jersey are happy with the way things are. And if it wasn’t for the stability of the Finance Industry (which Deputy Tadier and his several follows don’t understand) then things would be much worse.
At least he now knows how popular he really is now, maybe it was time to bring him down to earth!
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Will you all please keep it down… I am trying to have an afternoon nap here!!!!
;o)
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Totally agree with James(47). The majority of Jersey are happy with the way it is, because the majority have money! The States can make any rules/laws they choose and no matter whether we all disagree and have a go on forums like this, or make our voices heard in public, or voting against in the JEP or radio, it doesn’t matter. The States will always do what they want to do irrelavent to what the public say. Give me a minimum wage of £50,000 p.a. and I probably wouldn’t moan either!
Monty who???
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Pathetic is the word for this sorry affair.
hav,nt they got a better excuse for trying to discredit a well liked politition than this?
of course if he had been a “yes” man and joined the clique nothing more would have been said.
what a small-minded island this has become.
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Agree Steve C – I too attended a States meeting a couple of weeks ago and noticed the absolute rudeness and contempt some members showed to the proceedings. Passing notes, fiddling on Blackberries, rummaging in drawers, popping out, not paying attention to the proceedings or speeches.
By far the worst offenders were sitting on the Senators benches too. The Deputies were behaving impeccably.
We really have dredged the barrel with this one, and if Jersey was approaching being the laughing stock of the world, it has surpassed itself now!
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#
James
Posted May 14, 2009 at 1:14 pm
“The power of the old fogy conservative old boy network politicians in Jersey??” LOL
Like it or lump it, the majority of Jersey are happy with the way things are. ”
Which is why 60% of islanders have become so apathetic and despondent with the nature of Jersey politics they no longer vote?
As regards Tadier, it’s shameful the manner in which the local press have leapt upon this story as if it were the next Watergate (especially the astoundingly childish and amateur approach seen from Channel Report).
Focusing so heavily on “the Tadier incident” has served only to embarrass those media outlets who have chosen to run it as a major political story.
One can only wonder how this looks to the grown-up media in the outside world.
Angela.
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Well what a surprise another little pop at a non-establishment states member. I bet if the boot had been on the other foot nothing would have been said about it would it? Definately not nearly 5 minutes worth on a certain news channel thats for sure.
There are major problems facing Jersey and with the eyes of the world on us we have breaking news about…someone asleep in the States chamber.
There are plenty of other more important news issues to be focusing on, the Sunday Times managed to find one to put in its magasine only last Sunday.
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I don’t understand what the problem is; a fuss about nothing. I have worked countless times into the early hours researching, writing reports and answering emails. If Deputy Tadier was working during the night then that is his own choice and definitely shows a commitment to his position; so he fell asleep…he’s only human.
Deputy Tadier says that he was not drunk and I have no reason to doubt what he tells us. He may have had a drink but that hardly equates that he was drunk and incapable of undertaking work. I get the impression that these rumours appear to be directed to undermine the credibility of the deputy simply because he holds a different political perspective.
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Deputy Tadier’s office is just around the corner from States Chamber and it has a nice comfortable couch…..so if Monty had to sleep anything off he would have gone there. The fact is that he is a “night owl” and habitually works into the wee hours. End of story.Good on him for admitting it was him though – shows he’s an honest chap.
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I think a certain Senator telling another Senator to go slit his wrists is something far more deserving of disceplinary action then this. Come on, sort your priorities out….
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Not so much Time4Change as Time4Bed, LOL
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I think you mean ‘Disciplinary’.
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I think that this whole incident clearly highlights a problem with regard to the onerous hours that are being imposed upon our Politicians.
It is high time that we looked seriously at the option of a second home allowance to enable hard working members such as the honourable Deputy Tadier to work late at night without the worry of having to get home to his Parish.
I understand that Dandara have numerous vacant units at the moment and I think the States should purchase several without delay (whilst the market is slighlty depressed). Tax payers money well spent I say!
Enough of this slating of our politicians. They work very hard for little praise or reward… Let’s help and encourage them to put in the extra hours and provide them with the proper overnight facilities they properly deserve!!
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Angela (52) – your comment ‘Which is why 60% of islanders have become so apathetic and despondent with the nature of Jersey politics they no longer vote?’ implies that at some point in the past 100% of Islanders voted. This has never and will never be the case.
Probably the best you could ever hope for (without compulsory voting) is a 55-60% turnout.
However, do not fool yourself that if voter turnout was higher the results would be any different. I work in a small office with 5 other people and prior to the elections we all had the same thoughts on who were the best candidates. For one reason or another I was the only one who voted, despite this 5 of the 6 senatorial candidates I voted for were successful. Had the others in my office voted there would have been even more votes cast for the 5 successful candidates.
Basically, as James (47) states the majority of people in Jersey (myself included) are happy with the way things are. Personally I think it’s a fantastic place to live and I’m thankful that me, my wife and our children were born here.
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Nellie,
He first denied it, then said he might have been the man and then admitted that he was!
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TBM “we all had the same thoughts” no wonder the place is in a mess if this is the standard of those voting.
I vote and I am not happy with things they are going downhill fast. I also know many who will not vote because they don’t trust the politicians to keep their promises they make at the elections. Says a lot don’t you think. Others would say this is spinning to get in, to use a polite word.
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Realist – obviously he was going to deny it at first because the initial accusations were so wildly different to what had actually transpired! He thought it must have been someone else with another incident. Try being a bit more realistic?!
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I don’t have a particular political view. I support constructive debate from whatever “sane” viewpoint, in the interests of all in Jersey, but this does not include treating certain members of the States differently to the rest. What if a Minister had been found asleep at 5.30 am, having spent the night in the States Assembly building in the same circumstances, claiming they didn’t and then saying they might have and finally admitting they did after some wine and in mitigation, a cup of tea. He or she would have been suspended, no doubt.That is being realistic.
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Realist,
(61) Monty denied being drunk, then said that he was asleep which may have been misconstrued as being drunk. Why the witchhunt of one of the few honest, intelligent & humanist politicians we have been blessed with? There are some who pursue greater personal wealth through vested interests, do very little for the welfare of the island or the common people and yet no adverse press or attention comes their way. If you do nothing in the states, of course you cannot be critisiced for it because you blend into the woodwork!
Those that work the hardest stick their heads up above the parapets to shout about injustices and iniquitous situations, but risk the cowardly attentions of snipers and backstabbers.
Whatever you think of him, Geoff Southern does a lot of good for people that need help but he is a constant target for negative press. Monty is a similar example of a committed politician that wants a better community for all, not just the wealthy elite.
Focus on the failures in the states that take our money and do nothing and give a break to those that try and maybe make mistakes sometimes to do their best on our behalf.
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For far too many years a very vocal minority [me included] have been calling for change and the removal of the “establishment” from government. Well we have finally got our way and the “establishment” have mostly sold up and left. Now we have a States assembly made up of “average” working people, very few it appears have either the knowledge or experience to run as massive and complex entity such as Jersey is. This new generation of young and inexperienced States Member [salary circa £40k] rely very heavily on senor and very experienced civil servants [salary circa £140k plus and pension] to run the Island. With many states members, including a very senior senator taking every opportunity of “slagging” the Island in the international press, extremely vile blogs and a total lack of respect all I can say is “come back Frank Walker, Pierre Horsefall, Reg Jeune and all the other “establishment”. Yes they may have represented their own and their industry interests firsts but in hindsight, what was a good policy for them was also good for Jersey. For far too long too many of us looked on in envy of what other had instead of taking stock and being grateful for our share of the pie.
I only hope that like me people manage to open their eyes to what is going on, take an interest before it is too late and vote sensibly at the next election.
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I believe the establishment is still entrenched. Who in the CoM isn’t a representive of the rich or big business? These are the people controlling Jersey.
No way would I want any of the people you mentioned back. I couldn’t wait for their departure. The Paxman interview and the St.Martins Public Hall debacle just showed Jersey up worldwide as far as I am concerned.
As far as I am concerned Jersey has taken a turn for the worse since around 1990 and it has gradually drifted downwards.
I have no envy for anyone. I however expect the majorities interests to come ahead of small minorities every time, not the other way around, as it has appeared to have been happening for 20 or so years now.
There is a difference between crumbs and a fair share. Are the majority getting a good deal now and being looked after properly by their elected representitives? I don’t think so.
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Can we knock this subject on the head now? Why is it whenever we get new States members they automatically become enemy number one as soon as they walk through the door? Give these people a break there are more important issues to deal with and everybody should team up together and start finding solutions to these issues. This fighting does nothing for democracy.
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66 Sanity “Very few have the knowledge or experience to run as massive and complex entity as Jersey is” – the fact is they don’t get a chance to “run” anything as they were denied any ministerial positions and when they do make constructive suggestions they get voted out nearly every time. Any challenges they make to the “establishment” proposals are slated as troublemaking and timewasting – just can’t win, can they?
Next time round we do not need more of the same – we need more of the new to give them a fighting chance! You can’t expect major changes in government to happen overnight – look how long it took for women to get the vote – never mind become MPs.
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Nellie 4 Chief Minister lol
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Adrian,
I agree with you:
“The Paxman interview and the St.Martins Public Hall debacle just showed Jersey up worldwide as far as I am concerned.
As far as I am concerned Jersey has taken a turn for the worse since around 1990 and it has gradually drifted downwards.”
I wonder what the common factor could be in all cases?
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GCHq, please tell me you’re kidding about the second home allowance? Jersey is tiny.
What is the fuss about? My friend regularly falls asleep be it at the office (working late), at home (studying late) or visiting friends. If it’s late he’ll just fall asleep wherever he is and won’t wake up till someone wakes him.
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#71
The common factor that I can see in these instances (and many others) is Stuart Syvret. He slags off the island I love more than anyone I know (with the honourable exception of quite a few commentators on this website).
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The common factor is Stuart Syvret because he’s the only one with the guts to shine a spotlight onto how these things are handled & caused.
No, Mike, he doesn’t slag off the island, he slags off those who make a bad job of running it. Big difference!
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From where I’m standing Senator Syvret came across very well in his interviews, but others unfortunately made Jersey look bad with their poor interview technique.
Fancy having a meeting then packing it up because the person you were going to talk about turns up! How sad but there you go. People off island were laughing when they saw this. Some even thought it was a new Monty Python sketch!
Paxman got the measure of a certain person as far as I am concerned, and it wasn’t Senator Syvret.
As for Mike it isn’t about slagging Jersey off, it is about making sure things are brought into the 21st century.
If things don’t start to charge for the better I believe we are all going to have a lot more problems soon.
I believe in addressing the issues and being ahead of the wave not behind it, mopping up the mess. Others prefer to react to problems once they have occured. Another word for this is fire fighting, this is what the CoM are doing almost on a daily basis now. It appears Mad Foetus is a supporter of this technique of managing the island.
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Adrian, would you consider standing at the next election?! I’d certainly vote for you!!
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Thanks for that vote of confidence James!
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