‘They want it swept under the carpet’
Thursday 25th February 2010, 3:00PM GMT.
Deputy Bob Hill
THE Chief Minister and his supporters have shown once again that they would rather sweep things under the carpet than face the rigour of a public inquiry, Deputy Bob Hill said this morning.
He made the damning assessment after the States – and a block vote by all Senators and ministers present in the House yesterday – rejected his calls for a committee of inquiry into the suspension of police chief Graham Power.
After more than five hours of debate held behind closed doors, Deputy Hill’s proposition was rejected by 26 votes to 21. Instead, an internal States inquiry headed by an expert appointed by the Chief Minister and others will now be held.
‘It will be another whitewash,’ said Deputy Hill. ‘They don’t want to face up to the reality that things look bad and things are not as they should be. It is all about keeping it under wraps.’
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Swept under the carpet?
Whatever Deputy Hill, whatever…..
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To be fair, even if there was to be an inquiry, how honest would this be?
In your previous article about dispute within the teaching union, it was said that even those who work fundamentally for the states dont trust them, so why should we.
At the end of the day, no matter what we do as an island to stop the ammount of corruption, we will never succeed. There are too many secrets, lies and cover-ups for them to just allow the truth to come out about this.. it would mean being honest and afterall, thats just too much to ask!
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Is this the normal behaviour of a bitter and sour deputy that lost his vote? We seem to be seeing a lot of this lately from a minority in government wereby they go to the media and winge when their propositions fail. It is hardly sporting.
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hardly a surprise though is it. this repeated behavioural psycology of denial and closed door cover ups is becoming farsical. paranoia at the highest level that the tax paying public will discover their sorid secrets.
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You lost a democratic vote,
Sour Grapes ?
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Why o Why! has Jersey not learnt any thing.
They must cease from sweeping everything under that carpet. This hearing should be public. Graham Power at least deservers this.
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Surely the solution to this is simple. Deputy Hill should just tell us what exactly has been swept under the carpet. Then we can make our own minds up as to whether a very expensive inquiry was needed. Until then no one can possibly make comment.
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I always thought every suspension and disciplinary was confidential no matter what. If Graham Power wants all the allegations and the run up to his suspension made public so that the national media can get hold of it and run stories than I actually have no objections.
Sometimes the truth can really be more painful than fiction though so perhaps this result has actually gone into Power’s favour yet he cannot see it.
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Magnum has a point because we have Deputy Southern moaning about his lost proposal today and this is Deputy Hill moaning from yesterday. Is this becoming the trend with Jersey backbenchers? So will Tadier be complaining about losing his proposition in tomorrows news?
It is sour grapes.
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If you take the trouble to read Graham Power’s sworn affidavit and his written response to Mr Lewis’s contradictory statement then it will come as no surprise when people react with accusations of lies, cover up and corruption at the heart of government.
The people of Jersey deserve better. We want the truth. It is our right.
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Graham Power gave a detailed and evidenced chronological report of the events leading up to his dismissal. As apparently there were only a few other people directly involved in the decision to suspend him, perhaps both sides could give their version of events to an independant arbitrator (obviously agreed by both parties) who can then look at the facts and make an informed decision.
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PJG – oh yes the good old Jersey democracy, where our equivalent of the Prime (Ruddy) Minister is elected internally and our very own Fred the shred, runs both planning and environment committees SOLELY. I’m of to Kandahar, things are more clear cut there….
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Come on Deputy Hill
£12 million plus HDLG enquiry that turned into a complete farce, secret files illegally compiled on prominent figures, the illegal use of surveillance equipment etc etc.
If Mr Power knew about these he should have been sacked and if he did not know then as the Chief POLICE Officer he was not doing his job so should still be sacked. And let’s face it a Police officer should be able to detect these issues. That his suspension was not handled properly does not change these facts and the CoM have admitted that they messed up on the suspension – what more can your enquiry tell us.
We have wasted enough money on this very sorry saga so move on and don’t waste any more. Mr Power was paid a huge sum of tax payer money to do his job and will take a lot more in pension.
The Island has far more urgent problems which our Government would be far better addressing than this silly political point scoring.
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personally im not that fussed with the whole thing, in a way to sweep it under the carpet is normal here and is also the cheapest option in my eyes, Do we really want a multi million pound inquiry to come up with the same conclusion!
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We have a right to know exactly what is going on.
The powers that be have a duty to tell us the truth.
If they did we would maybe just maybe start trusting them again.
Myself I very little faith in most of them.
This Island is shrouded in spin, cover-ups whispering campaigns and I,m alright Jacks
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Typical normal reaction from Bob Hill..”I could not convince my fellow states members so I will go public and see if I can drum up some support to get the decision overturned”.
We all know that Mr Power did not have the most successful time as police chief indeed the Lenny Harper incident did the island untold harm and cost us a lot of money. Unfortunatly Sen Kinnard could not control Power and now that the States have finally found the courage to get rid of Power they are accused of a cover up by the one Deputy with his experiance of police matters who should have spoken up against Power and his regime ages ago..rich!
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This subject is exhausted and ‘which’ party is telling lies no longer holds any credibility in my mind. Do you truely believe the ex-Chief’s response to Operation Blast because I don’t? Political point scoring by backbenchers that do very little for this Island is becoming tedious and annoying for the tax payer now so I agree that the result was justfied and it is time to move on from this nonsence once and for all.
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I believe Deputy Hill is totally correct in his overview of the Island of Jersey and the cover ups that happen to save their own souls.There needs to be a ” no blame culture” where lessons are learnt.Rightly or not,Graham Power and John Days suspensions affects lives and someone should be held accountable and lessons learnt.Jersey has more ” humps” under its carpets than most democracy’s.Pretty island on the outside but deep decay on the inside.
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There is an impression that deceit and duplicity has occurred, involving the Island’s hierarchy.
All that most people want is a government that displays openness and transparcney.
Not having an inquiry will cost Jersey more than just money; the Island’s reputation will be flushed even further down the pan.
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I agree with deputy Hill. Under the carpet like the Verita report!
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The establishment wins again
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Is this really front page news? If Deputy Hill has nothing else to offer politics apart from defending highly paid officers from squandering millions of pounds then I truely wonder where this Island is going?
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Be glad you have a few straight ones like Bob Hill….any enquiry should not cost millions as alluded to…whether by arbitration or other means the voting public have a right to know..if power was out of order…A.he should not have been kept on full pay all that time…the private sector could not and would not afford such slackness of procedure….and if he’s in the right it should come out ,it’s not rocket science…we pay a media advice dept. why oh why is this Govt always so far off message…mostly it’s because they fear the cold light of day…
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Come on you people wake up and smell the coffee for once!
I agree with some of the comments on here, this isn’t even a story and looking back at the whole thing the management of the SOJP back then was in total disarray.
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Why should a person who squandered so much time and money get any different treatment than the many 100′s who lost or are losing their jobs in the Island?
It is about time Deputy Hill actually served the people of the parish instead of his own petty and personal agenda again.
If he wants an Island mandate then why has he never stood for Senator?
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Notice how not one person that supported the deputy got into the States on an Island wide mandate? In fact so many of these got in through the backdoor its a farce. It won’t be the same in the next elections!
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@24 Fish our of water
Oh, so the UKs MET police force and the ACPO who oversaw what was happening during the HdlG investigation were wrong as well? Oh, OK then …
And on the subject of the “12 million plus”, has anyone been given a breakdown of where this money was spent?
It would be interesting to know how much of that was spent on legal advice from those smashing people at 7 Beresford Row.
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‘Notice how not one person that supported the deputy got into the States on an Island wide mandate? In fact so many of these got in through the backdoor its a farce. It won’t be the same in the next elections!’
Look at all the Deputies and Constables from the country parishes who have never faced an election and got in on the good old boy basis but voted against the motion.
Should Constables who are serving police officers vote on police matters?
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Too much hatred in Jersey politics at the moment. We have one side which is concentrating all its efforts in getting us out of recession and then we have a minor backbench rogue element which is trying to milk silly destabalising motions like this one. I thought this suspesion had already been reviewed and was there to stay. So if there are any serious questions to be asked it has to be why was it left in place? Thats the part which is of greater public interest because everybody knows the Haut de la Garenne enquiry was very badly handled now and putting 2 and 2 together……
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Why did it take the Sates four hours behind closed door in a secret ‘deliberation’ to decide not to take further action. Seems like a long time if it is an open and closed case . . .
. . . no smoke without fire.
The people of Jersey and the wider world deserve to know what was said, how they came to this decision and who voted.
We do live in a democracy, don’t we???
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I would like Mick Gradwell to hold a complete public enquiry into the handling of the historic child abuse scandal. His interviews last year were shocking to say the least and were certainly damming against the Harper/Power love triangle.
Its hardly surprising Stuart Syvret never returned, it made everything he had to say look a nonsence.
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Oh! so this is all about punishing those people who have squandered the Island’s money is it?
In that case, what about the person who failed to hedge the Euro cost of the incinerator plant and who, by pushing through his nonsensical 0/10 tax plan, is driving the Island headlong into bankruptcy? Isn’t it about time he faced up to the consequences of his actions?
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I am so sick of all these allegations of cover-ups and conspiracies.
Has anyone had the thought that maybe the States, after hearing arguments on both sides, decided that it would not be in the public interest to hold a public inquiry here – the main reason being the huge costs and the fact that nothing would come out of the result.
I hate how in Jersey there is a small group of people who say there is corruption and conspiracies etc. I totally agree that there are a number of areas of serious mismanagement – but this is, in my opinion, the result of a political system that lets people with little or no experience taking charge of an area of public policy as a Minister
I am proud of Jersey’s public service – I think it is excellent. I am just sick of the moaning that there is some kind of ‘establishment’ that dictates what happens over here.
Wake up, think for yourselves – you dont have to be dictated in your thoughts by the media and the Syvret lot
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Pip Clement #28
The more I think about it the more I think your right.
“Should Constables who are serving police officers vote on police matters” no.
My solution would possibly be different from yours.
IMO the position of Constable should stay as it is, I think its a necessary conduit for parish matters/opinions to be aired in the states, except for the he role of head of the Parish police, this should be transferred to the chef du police whose position should voted in by parishioners.
In the meantime one would hope constables would declare conflict of interest in such votes (as some do now).
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Looking through the Net it is funny how a few people put it upon themselves to defend one person in London with an arrest order, one person in Scotland who refused to return to Jersey under Court order and a third person who is suspended yet they don’t know the real reasons why.
All pretty laughable really!
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……and in 2 months time, this whole sorry saga ‘will never have happened’.
THIS is the Jersey way !!
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Deputy Wimberley on the Radio this morning stated that the reason given for the in camera debate was because of a requirement of the Jersey Police Law. As such an open debate would have been illegal. He then went on to say that the states should have just ignored the Law.
Is this not the problem – on the one hand we have one lot of politicians claiming that the Law does not extend to them yet at the same time accusing the CoM of acting outside the Law.
The manner in which the suspension was carried out was a farce and the CoM have admitted this so I can’t see what this new conspiracy theory is being based. As none of those involved can be described as the shiniest buttons in the tin so this should not be a surprise. Perhaps they should make a further statement admitting their errors. I get the feeling that there is a lot of more of the brown stuff waiting to hit anybody who has not been completely honest in this affair and if they have not come clean now they certainly won’t end up smelling of roses when the fan stops. I really don’t see that in this instance that there was any improper motive for a “secret” debate other than this being a legal requirement. For Deputy Hill to claim otherwise is dishonest and the inference that the bailiff has acted improperly in upholding the law is disgraceful and shows a complete lack of integrity.
It is clear that we have a poorly lead and weak government and I question the motives of the likes of Deputy Hill and Wimberley in what they are trying to achieve as they certainly don’t appear to be in the interests of our Island and the people who live here.
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The most important question to be asked in the states was why… have the council of Ministers failed to implement reccomendfdation No 6 despite saying they would.
This reccomendation was that the Council Of ministers would publically rebutt the allegation Syvret has made against certain people. – This they have not done leading the conspiracy theorists to conclude that maybe Syvret’s accusations are true and can be proven…
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Perhaps Deputy Hill would like to return to the mainland where he chose to spend his working life?
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(10)(11) toataly agree.
the global shadow that, must be cast by these ongoing , various events .
can only be seen as poor, in my eye.
this place , could be so good . yet the infighting, and lack of action, the public speculation, can only damage us.
how sad.
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Whatever your belief just hope & pray that one day you or one of your family do not come up against a problem that will need “justice” that might not suit the opposite view & cannot find someone to fight your corner honestly.
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Harry, if Syvret’s accusations are true then why has nobody been charged and why has he never supplied any back up when asked to do so by the COM? It is all recorded because only 2 weeks ago the CM said no evidence is ever forthcoming. Also if his accusations are so true then why doesn’t he take them to the News of the World?
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39 Dick – St Martin – So because he ruffles a few feathers and scratches beneath the surface you believe he deserves the old ‘theres a boat in the morning’ treatment? Haha, good to see the TRUE Jersey racist attitude is still alive and well.
What about the 21 elected members that agreed with him? Should they be exiled too?
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Pereceived cover-up tactics such as these play right into the hands of Senator Stuart Syvret.
Syvret may (or may not) be seven weeks away from expulsion from the States Assembly, but he still has a considerable, and vociferous, number of supporters in Jersey.
If the Chief Minister and his colleagues have nothing to hide there should be no reason for appearing to collude in a cover-up.
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Apart from 3 very local blog shouters and a few on the phone-in I think Albert Salmon’s view on the number of local Syvret supporters is somewhat miss-leading!!!!
We know the exact numbers that visit his blog for starters because it is monitored and you can count them on your hand.
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It never ceases to amaze and dismay me how many of you on here are eager to leap to the defense of the undefendable…open Govt is supposed to be …”Open” clearly this was a lash up from day one…but then we have weekly and sometimes daily big important issues which are quickly denied or hidden,and always some confused and limpwristed excuse or plain lie proffered.the intelligence of the average man is insulted constantly..”on a need to know basis” is such an arrogance which veils many a plain dishonest deed, politicians could easily and in no time win the backing,approval and loyalty of the population,by simply putting their hand up and admitting when they’ve got it wrong, apologise properly and explain themselves when needed,yes that’s right just like you want your kids to learn in school, and to tell the truth when asked in plain understandable Queen’s English. now you can argue and make excuses til you’re blue in the face but you will never be able to avoid the simplicity of…”If you have nothing to hide ,you have nothing to fear”,and let’s face it the two main currencies here are greed and fear…ant strategist will tell you little can be achieved without a measure of trust…well boys and girls you have lost it and will need to earn and win it back it cannot be commanded.where is your Honour…?
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Cover ups about a suspension when they found no dead bodies after spending millions, the Sunday newspapers were making a mockery of the Island and we had a Deputy Chief of Police that could not even supply day books when ordered to.
Yer, the COM really do have it wrong don’t they!
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Nick – St. Martin # 39. Bob Hill served with the Metropolitan police and retired as a Sergeant. If my memory serves me correctly, he was born in Jersey and on retirement returned to the island of his birth.
As Darren # 42 says, Bob Hill ruffles feathers and looks beneath the surface. We need people to ask questions about the behaviour of his fellow States memebers and some senior civil servants. Maybe Nick just accepts the lack of transparency, but many do not.
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Truthseeker – problem is that contrary to the beliefs of some Jersey does have some human rights legislation. Indeed it is deputy Hill’s favourite topic – at least when it enables him to attack the CoM. Whilst open Government is to be desired the interests of the individual is also important and it would be wrong to publicly debate the possible failures of an individual in a public forum, especially when those discussing the issues are protected by privilege and the individual has no right of reply. Would you like your employer to publish your personal employment file, performance, salary and personal issues etc in the JEP because that is what you are demanding from the States. In this instance the Law dictates that such a debate is held privately. All States members are party to these debates and given the broad spectrum of members I fail to see how the conspiracy theory works as if there were some deep dark secrets then every States member is privy to this knowledge.
Hopefully the truth will come out once the current investigations are complete.
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everything is swept under the carpet here!…you think we all docked on the last banana boat?
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Sanity # 48. When you put it like that, it makes sense. Nevertheless many people are thirsty for the truth. Then we must consider, are Islanders going to be paying out money to people who have failed in their duty? Surely rewarding people for failure isn’t a good example to set to the rest of us. How will that motivate people to do their best?
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To Carpet Fitter (comment 46)Are you annoyed that no dead bodies have been found-would that have made the inquiry more worthwhile and more interesting?There have been prosecutions for child abuse following the investigations although I fully believe that there should be many more to follow but perhaps they will never reach court. As for Sunday papers making a mockery of Jersey it is the current trend with newspapers to make a mockery of everything and Jersey just happened to be in the limelight for five minutes.Do as I do-don’t buy them-they are trash and fantasy a lot of the time-you would enjoy a good book far more and it will be better written.
Once again I ask why can’t things be out in the open-why in secret and behind closed doors but nobody seems able to answer.
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Julie # 51. There can be no dispute that there were a number of historical cases of child abuse that were revealed in the major investigation. Many of these have resulted in prosecutions, but the allegations of past cover ups, by the authorities are likely to be unfounded.
The police hierarchy’s press strategy was misguided to say the least. Graham Power shouldn’t have allowed the media hype that appeared to have been orchestrated by the initial Senior Investigating officer.
That said the police’s political masters should should have perhaps insisted on verification of facts, before it was inferred that an unlawful killing, or killings may be involved.
There also appears to be a lack of control of the budget for the investigation and all of this undoubtedly occurred whilst Graham Power as at the helm.
Few, if any of the aforementioned contributions will have been made with the knowledge of what evidence was available – that includes my own submissions. Similarly there may be legislation that required the States session to be held in camera. If that is the case, why hasn’t the Attorney General announced the reason?
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Sanity “Hopefully the truth will come out once the current investigations are complete.”
You’ve made laugh with that comment!!!
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Julie the very simple reason is its in camera is because that is the law. The law around suspended Police Chiefs was written long before the conspiracy brigade came out of hiding and long before Mr Power was suspended.
This subject really is getting dull now.
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48…I for one am glad the COM..or CON..as they have become known in some circles….are being challenged as this island needs to abandon this hopeless experiment in govt which has deteriorated into gang dictatorship…the reason being a consistent policy of secrecy….to say they have been economical with the truth is overly generous….by their deeds shall you know them…actions speak louder than words……track record…proof, the committee system was Jersey’s strength.
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Truthseeker – I cannot follow your logic. You seem to imply that the council of Ministers is some dictatorial body who have been thrust to power by some alien force in the distant past and have remained there through conspiracy and fear.
Whereas my understanding is that the council of Ministers were appointed less than two years ago and consist of members of the Jersey public who offered themselves for office and were elected in free and fair elections.
I voted in those elections, and indeed have always voted and attended hustings. I have never been or felt threatened despite asking the most awkward of questions of those who you seem to label the establishment. From what you say I should be fearing for my life considering my past voting record and some of the people I have supported, or at least be in fear of a knock on my door in the early hours. I don’t fear any of the above so therefore and unless you can give a reason otherwise I your comments appear to be pure conspiracy with the view of destabilising our Government and destroying our society.
Whilst I have little faith in our Council of Ministers they appear to be the best of those who came forward and stood for election. Few of the “new” politicians inspire me with any confidence and have so far offered no credible alternative to what we have and suggest we just knuckle down and make the best of it. Despite what you say we are a lot better off in Jersey than almost any other place on this planet.
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Ref.”Matt” (44): I was intrigued when you said “We know the exact numbers that visit his blog (Syvret) for starters because it is monitored and you can count them on your hand. ” – so I had a good look at the blog.
Most postings seemed to have attracted many hundreds of comments. One posting I noticed seemed to have over 1600 (that’s comments not just visitors!). Just how many fingers do you have on your hand? Perhaps this could be a warning to all of us on this island regarding maintaining “hybrid vigour” in future generations.
After you have filtered out the anger, the blog is quite fascinating and very worrying. Perhaps we should sweep it under the carpet? Perhaps Syvret is mistaken? Perhaps he is exaggerating ?
I do recall him being the lone (and it appears correct!) voice when the Limited Liability Partnership legislation was rushed through -And yes, an elected representative as excluded from the states for months in that sorry saga. (strangely the whistle-blower, not the guilty -familiar?)
You may not like him or you may not like his style but most would admit that he is sharp and it is perhaps difficult to remain calm under the circumstances.
The world is changing, the change does not entirely bypass this island. The truth will tend to trickle out. People do have long memories – How will history judge this sorry saga? Hiding unfortunate truths can be more damaging than the unfortunate truths on their own. No point in haranguing the messenger. Poor Jersey.
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Truthseeker has been brain wahsed by the mumblings of a blogger. This is why fewer people are taking notice of such pigs swill anymore. You only have to listen to some States debates to see why backbenchers remain backbenchers and why certain individuals are nominated and voted in on the Council of Ministers. They speak more truth and reality for starters.
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Sanity the problem is non of the CoM were elected directly to office by the voters. This isn’t how democracy works. If they had been elected into their positions on the CoM, by the public it would have been more democratic, however even then they wouldn’t have had a proper mandate as only 30% of the population voted IMHO.
Amazingly you have little faith in the CoM but appear happy for these people to run the island. I believe this is a case of clutching at straws.
Jersey has unfortunately deteriorated substancially in the last 20 years due to the policies espoused by the types that now make up the majority of the CoM as far as I am concerned.
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Sanity (57)
You are quite right – we should continue to be complacent and accepting- and we can continue to get the government we deserve !
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“Whilst I have little faith in our Council of Ministers they appear to be the best of those who came forward and stood for election. Few of the “new” politicians inspire me with any confidence and have so far offered no credible alternative to what we have and suggest we just knuckle down and make the best of it. Despite what you say we are a lot better off in Jersey than almost any other place on this planet. ”
That single paragraph sums up the thoughts of most people in this Island.
Sanity, thank you.
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42 Very well said and very true. As far as many are concerned syvret should put up or shut up
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“Sanity the problem is non of the CoM were elected directly to office by the voters. This isn’t how democracy works.”
Adrian, can you enlighten us by naming any jurisdictions where people are directly elected to office?
As far as I understand it, every democracry has recognised that in order to function you need to be governed by a team that can command the respect of a majority of the elected house.
The only exception is the role of president, which is personal and non-assignable. But a prime minister can and is changed without a vote, and the same with every other type of minister. So what Jersey does is actually EXACTLY how democracy works.
As the well know fictional characters “The Hoobs” once sung: “Think it through, don’t go boo-hoo”.
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Mathew #35 “one person in Scotland who refused to return to Jersey under Court order”
What court order?
I don’t believe there has been a court order requiring him to return to Jersey. If I am wrong, prove it.
Carpet fitter #47 “we had a Deputy Chief of Police that could not even supply day books when ordered to
What day books? What order?
I understand that there never were any ‘day books’ to supply and no court order. If I am wrong, prove it.
If not then they are simply disingenuous and obfuscatory remarks.
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I agree with Post 42 and 63.
I think it is absolutely terrible that people on this man’s blog are being accused of such heinous things without any concrete proof or human right to have their say.
When are the States of Jersey going to do something about this man and even some of his named followers.
Their behaviour is a disgrace and my heart goes out to all victims of this man’s hateful vendetta who to date have not been found guilty of anything.
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I agree with Bernie (#66) et al, S.S’ Blog is outrageous. Can’t he be cited for defamation for all the nonsense he publishes? He does untold damage to the reputation of Jersey and needs to be brought to book sooner rather than later.
It is also irresponsible if the affidavit was intentionally made available for the purpose of publishing it on S.S.’ Blog. These people are definitely masters mischief making and crass decision making.
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This issue can not be swept under the carpet…. it’s already full under there, no more room left!
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I am pleased the States announced that they were keeping an electronic copy of every thing on his blog. I understand that google keep lists of every i.p. address accessing and posting on it now which is good. Some of these posters who hide under ‘anon’ should really be taken to task for some of the slurs they post against others. The whole charade is nothing but a kangaroo court run by criminals.
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donald who would vote in a UK election for a party without knowing before hand who their leader was? This has never happened to my knowledge in peace time. As you well know to change the P.M. during a term of office is not the usual way of doing things. IMO an election should be called if a PM stands down in the UK mid-term, so the electorate could decide if they were happy with the subsitute PM.
Also most countries have proper party politics which Jersey doesn’t have IMHO. This makes it difficult to know who one is voting for and what they really stand for, as we all know candidates can come across as left leaning or right leaning to get a mandate and get elected but are then quite capable of doing a U-turn. This couldn’t happen in party politics as the candidate would be deselected as a Labour candidate if he started espousing right wing policies and vice versa.
Also Jersey has five unelected members of the states (@10%), in no way can this be classified as democratic. These unelected members can have an influence on the states via their speeches and thus influence the vote even though they were not elected by the public into office.
So I am sorry to disappoint but Jersey politics are not democratic in the true of the word. More like a cross between communism and democracy.
I myself think the type of candidates who are in the CoM are fine for the rich/big business people but as per Joe Public they are not as good. IMHO if the voters are unable to see this then more fool them, they will carry on getting the short end of the stick IMHO.
A poacher illegally fishes for salmon in a river. He does not get caught. There is therefore no evidence of wrong doing. Is this person guilty or not guilty of poaching?
I would have to say that if I had lots of money and someone were to accuse me of wrong doing publicly they would soon be in court facing a case of liable/slander. In my opinion to not do so would damage my reputation, and I would not stand for it.
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Helen Back (14) “to sweep it under the carpet is normal here and is also the cheapest option in my eyes”
If you were a victim would you want in swept under the carpet?
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It is no wonder that the ministers are destroying our once prosperous and beautiful Island when I read some of the distorted views on these comments pages. The ministers are in power and voted in by the states assembly for one reason and for one reason only.
MONEY
Yes the public voted for new faces at the last elections in the hope that they would bring democratic and lasting change to our government which was honest and worked for all sections of our community. This has not happened for several reasons. The ruling elite in Jersey have thrown thousands of pounds at election campaigns and political spin which has prevented meaningful political change.
This latest in camera debate is no more than a protection mechanism engineered by people who have everything to protect and everything to lose. They do not want the truth to come out. The public have a right to know what if anything went wrong and why all involved were suspended.
After all it has cost us the tax payer close to the tune of £1million so far. That’s a lot of hip replacements we could have got for our money…. Or elderly care.
They do not want change. And will anything and everything to protect the immense wealth mechanism that they have created. Property deals, court cases, advertising, car sales, the supply of goods to massive over spends…the list is endless and it’s all good for business.
History is littered with the relics of the past. Jersey is no different. It will take time, but change is coming and the powers that be should do not like it.
“If you wait long enough the opportunity for justice will finally come to you”
So be patient all those that value change and a new direction for our government. It is coming.
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57.the constables vote virtually en bloc and always with the con.never in my memory have so many blatantly against public opinion decisions been made….thousands turn out to petition…and the chief minister says and I quote” I don’t care if 100 Thousand people signed it… a very Adolph attitude..and you think they’re alright… 59..are you a psychiatrist or health proffessional….No thought not….I would add that the establishment finks on here are now so obvious it’s a shame ….
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