‘Jersey needs a foreign minister’
Wednesday 16th December 2009, 2:57PM GMT.
Frank Walker addresses the Chamber of Commerce lunch in Guernsey
JERSEY needs a foreign minister to represent it abroad, former Chief Minister Frank Walker has told a meeting of business leaders.
Speaking at a Chamber of Commerce meeting in Guernsey yesterday, the former Senator said that with Jersey’s economic future hinging on negotiation with foreign bodies like the EU and UK, it is time that a foreign minister was appointed in both Jersey and Guernsey.
‘Every serious government we deal with has one,’ said Mr Walker. ‘We are playing in the big league now. It’s tough and I think we need the equivalent structure there to represent us. If we are to fulfill our full potential we need government structures that allow us to move quickly and decisively. At the minute we haven’t got the structure that allows us to carry that out.’
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I suppose this is a good idea as we can send one person abroad instead of a jolly for ten !!!
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And does the good former minister have any suggestions who could fill this new post . . . ? Whats that? Eh ? Oh Frank Walker could, well quel surprise!
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I nominate Stuart Syvret seeing as he is spending all his time out of the Island now he may as well do something useful.
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The States of Jersey agreed in the budget last week to spend £2.5M on overseas offices to represent us and now we have a proposal from the last Chief Minister for a Foreign Minister plus no doubt a department. not much change out of £0.5M a year there I would guess.
The island is facing a £60M plus deficit next year and structural deficits of around £40M after that.
There seems to be very little idea on how to fill those deficits and the island is not allowed to borrow without the UK’s agreement.
We must balance our accounts or face the involvement of the UK in our affairs.
Sadly for the States the days of money coming out of our ears is over!
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This sounds like a really good idea and it is first-rate to see Mr Frank Walker is still helping Jersey whenever he can in attending these functions and giving his expert opinion. He was an excellenet Chief Minster and if he stood again he would get my vote without hesitation.
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Can we send ALL the CoM overseas?
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Frank wouldn’t put his own name forward for it anyway. He would arbitrarily suggest that the only person who knows the wonders of the Island is the Chief Minister.
So when he retires, Terry can sun himself and Phillip has something to look forward to when his term of office is over..
Just what Jersey needs, MORE unjustified expense to keep our current states members in the belief that they are truly the movers and shakers in the world and akin to prime ministers and presidents.
Nepotism? Old boys network? Delusions of grandeur?
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Yes l think Frank is right. There is an obsticle for more ministers presently. The “Troy Rule” says that more States Members are in Scrutiny than in the Executive making it harder for the Executive to push unwanted propositions through the States. We seriously need to look at this problem. I feel we need a tourism minister but we are up against the same problem. I think a way out of this is to create a second chamber as exists in the uk and america. The second chamber can be properly funded and will act as proper balance for any new policy.
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is that the start of a slogan competition?
“Jersey needs a foreign minister…..”…like a goldfish needs an iPod?
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…like a Connex driver needs his indicators?
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Butt out Frank Walker…you had your go…and look what you did with it.
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i feel a secret ballot coming on ….
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Ridiculous, daft, over the top but that’s our Jersey politician’s
No doubt the post has been filled already, in secret of course THE JERSEY WAY the public to be informed in due course, salary £300,000 we can afford it after all, next we will be sending troops to Afghanistan
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Oh dear, I thought we had heard the last of Mr Walker. No such luck.
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To a certain degree he’s right. The problem with Jersey, is that we have a serious amount of negative, defensive people. They’ll probably say encouraging outside investment will ultimately encourage immigration too. I’m not sure if Frank’s right or not, but we have to be prepared for a very uncertain 25 years. I’m 40 next year, but I’ll be very surprised if we still have both finance and a quallies system when I retire
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This is a job that should at least in part be doubled up with the same function in Guernsey.
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Can we get just ONE competent minister first?
Also, it would be good if the person proposing the idea was automatically excluded from holding said position, that way no-one can put the idea through the States just so they can ensure themselves some nice jaunts abroad at our expense!
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Jersey wants to engage with the outside world – what a revelation!
Whats next abolish the apartied housing system, join the EU?
Smoke and mirrors as always. Jersey will still remain the inward thinking self-destructive Island it has always been
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Yes we need a minister but before we send someone to Russia how about having at least some information published in Russian.
And Chinese and Spanish, our Island is only marketed in English, we need some of those non English speakers here.
Some one with some cross cultural communication experience lets have no international faux pas because of ignorance.
Then yes please I would welcome a Jersey Ambassador.
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A foreign minister? Get real. Next they will want a presence in all 193 countries around the world to represent Jersey’s interests overseas. May another 193 plus posts for ambassadors here as well?
Jersey is going into very troubled times of reducing revenue whilst at the same time growing its civil service/burearocracy as if there is no tomorrow. Maybe this is the real reason?
Darren at least you seem to be aware of the possible outcome in the not too distant future. As of yet many seem blisfully unaware of what is more than likely just around the corner.
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“Matt Posted December 16, 2009 at 3:25 pm I nominate Stuart Syvret seeing as he is spending all his time out of the Island now he may as well do something useful.”
Please NO! I would rather let the job go to Frank Walker than Syvret!!!!
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Jersey needs a foreign minister like a hole in the head.
We have managed very well up to now, thank you very much, with foreign affairs being managed by Whitehall.
When – and only when – a unilateral declaration of independence is declared we can consider this cloud cuckoo land idea.
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“‘Every serious government we deal with has one,’”
Errr Frank, I think you’ve just successfully argued against your own point!
Of course we will need a foreign minister if our politicians continue to gloat about welcoming rich Brits to Jersey, we’ll need one to try and make peace with every country we are currently hacking off! Why don’t we realise, for a change, that we’re small and it might do us some good to form friendly relationships with other countries?
#15 Darren, with the ‘quality’ of leadership I’ll be surprised if Jersey is still independent when you retire! And I’m not being flippant either.
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A minister is a person who stood first as a candidate and then was elected and then again elected into a ministerial position.
No one as far as I know,(unless a member of the church )can call them self a minister and represent people.
Should this corrupt worthless idea gather pace then obviously it would have to be a sitting States member. Finally how is the idea of a Minister for children coming along. Thought so no interest, not enough travel maybe?
Davey West.
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We do need a “foreign” minister, but not in the way FW describes. How about some Polish or Portuguese representation in the States…..surely it would help to give the “old boys club” a run for their money because they would get a heavy backing from their compatriots!
Hopefully then will we start to see a more down to earth and “real” take on what the people of Jersey need or want.
BTW I am neither Polish nor Portuguese.
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Will there be an embassy in London. Hah
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Polo no because it is not warm enough.
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What for?…I,ve been a good ambassador on my travels…………….small rock ,don,t bother.
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FW says we need a foreign minister to help market the island..
Surely the wonderful corporate entities we have over here already have marketing departments and target specific countries and residents of interest, I know that all the ones I’ve worked in have..
A foreign minister’s role is to liaise with other governments over contentious issues of importance between two countries. Is this a masked admittance by our former First Minister that the islands policies towards taxation are not well received outside the island.. quelle surprise!
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I should imagine Gordon Brown’s 50% tax for these fat cats who have basically destroyed the economies of several countries,will just be the first step.The next will be to clamp down on offshore centres such as our own so they have nowhere to hide.Terry Le Main publicly welcoming these people with open arms will just bring down the wrath of the UK and US governments upon us.The general opinion in many Sunday papers today is good riddance to them,they are glad to see the back of these selfish people.I fear Terry Le Main’s comments will bring far more problems for this island than any short term benifits from letting them in
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well what a surprise!!! another job for the boys at a massive great salary i suppose!! after all what FW says goes!!
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This island’s sense of self importance never fails to astound me.
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Sir
If Jersey is to have its own foreign minister then surely he would have to come from the ranks of our elder statesman.
He would have to be a towering figure – a diplomat, blessed with the gravitas necessary to command the respect of those operating at the very highest echelons of international affairs.
Fortunately, for as long as I can remember, the island has never wanted for politicians of this calibre. But whilst I am sure that the likes of Chief Minister Le Sueur or Senator Le Main could perform such a role admirably, I believe the man best suited to ‘bat on behalf of Jersey’ would be Mr Walker himself.
Proud Jerseyman
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PROUD JERSEYMAN
then mr walker should stand at the next election….
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Still sticking his nose in on affairs that should not now been of any concern to him!
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We had better do, who would negotiate us out of a sticky situation if we got into a war with Guernsey. let me put this argument to bed…..NO WE DON’T
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@ ‘rico’ #5
If you’re trying to make out that you’re Rico S then you’ve failed dismally – your comment is not something I can imagine him writing.
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the mouse that roared.
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No what we really need is another grant and dept charged with having breast implants for our Bulls…..which would be as much use and a very well thought through way of spending our money.
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I traveled for 10 years and was always proud of my birthplace, I am still proud of it’s heritage, Its beachs Its people, But on my recent 4 month break in the UK, I’m not so proud, first thing I’m asked in about childrens homes then Its about tax. and dear F W is paxman fool to most people in the UK, and we all know Terry le Sueur has trouble with his maths. Euro/Pound exchange.
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Oh forget syvret as having any part of our government he is history!
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Nor is the comment above from myself Jill GRacia. I suspect we have a CTV type scenario here where someone is posting comments that would not normally be attributed to Rico and myself and trying to make it look as though they came from us.
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#21 David Rotherham, I am sure that Matt’s comment was TIC. For a start, Stuart would be more useful as Home Affairs Minister.
No, what is needed to represent us internationally is someone of the calibre of Sir Martin Le Quesne or Sir Sam Falle. Career diplomats and sons of Jersey to be proud of.
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Jill (41) – History eh? Well that remains to be seen, but maybe after today’s revelations in a different light than that which you are hoping to portray.
I actually do not think he WANTS to be a part of our Government any more in any event.
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Surely this should be part of the Chief Minister’s role?
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Tony #40 I’m from the UK, and when I was back there the same happened.
I just asked them about the numerous child abuse scandals the UK has had in children’s homes, and nurseries. As for the tax issue, well I could only point out that countries deal differently with money, and the UK has a habit of throwing it at the entirely undeserving grotbags who have learned how to work the system from the day they were born. That’s hardly something of which your average UK citizen is proud.
Jersey is not somewhere to be ashamed of. Like everywhere it has its faults, end of. Every nation has had a children’s home child abuse scandal, most countries have had more than one and far more recently too.
Next time you visit somewhere make sure you’re up on the dirt surrounding their nation first
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What have global care home scandals got to do with the suggestion of a Foreign Minister? Come on people it is time to move on and get away from this rubbish.
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Never mind a foreign minister, but we could certainly do with an (un)employment minister, for all those unfortunate enough to be unemployed or those being made redundant.
What is the States doing about this….nothing, sat on their hands !!
How much is the media saying about it…. oh very little if anything.
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As my late and sorely missed Jewish grandmother would have said, “We need a foreign minister like we need a plague of psoriasis!”
(She would have had other things to say on the subject, but – even in translation – they would not be suitable for a family newspaper.)
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