£105,000 – the tax-free reward for being a royal rep
Tuesday 6th July 2010, 2:59PM BST.
The current post-holder, Lieutenant-General Andrew Ridgway
PEOPLE often ask how much you would have to be paid to step into the shoes of a member of the royal family and forever live in the public eye.
But what figure would you want to be her representative in Jersey?
The post of Lieutenant-Governor currently held by former chief of military intelligence Lieutenant-General Andrew Ridgway is being advertised in the national media with a salary of £105,294.
The advert, which was published in the Sunday Times at the weekend, states that candidates for the post, which is due to become vacant in September 2011, must have had a ‘distinguished military service background at the highest level’.
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and so! Its an important job which carries a great deal of responsibility. Remember the Vernon Tomes incident
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And what exactly does he do to earn that?
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Does that include “living in” expenses rent etc
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This extravagance has got to stop.
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Look at the picture that accompanies this article.
No wonder the man is smiling. £100k tax free PER Year.
So much for 20 means 20…
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I’ll do, ex-military, got a couple of medals (thank you HMG), can speak “Home Counties” when required, can talk meaningless drivel too and am available for a lot less that £105K.
Right, when do I move in to those posh married quarters then?
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A perfect opportunity to make a massive saving to the island..and rid ourselves of this pompous.plum job for the lads rubbish…No more do we ed any cap doffing..the cost of running Government house with all it’s gardeners and staff in this climate is unsupportable…let him go and don’t replace him this is after all 2010 we do not need all this extravagant class demonstration…
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I used to be in the TA, would I be eligibile?
Tell you what, I’ll do it on the cheap, call it £92k per year
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Andrew Ridgway has in my opinion been one of the finest Lt Governors this Island has had in recent times. He cares deeply for this Island and it’s residents be they able bodied or disabled. It will be a sad day when his term of office expires. If I had my way he would remain for a further 5 years.
You should all feel honoured to have such a worthy representative as him, there’s not many if any of you capable of doing his job.
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I’d want £105 ….and the rest …to have to sit in the States “nuthouse” listening to them all drone on about the latest moneywasting scheme.
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After years of distinquished military service,this post needs the political and diplomatic skills that that job pays.Both the Lieutenant Governor and his wife earn every money in the amount of civic duties they undertake and have very little private time.Be thankful that the Island still has such a high quality ambassadeur.
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The current Lieutenant Governor has been by far the most outstanding, He and his wife have been very approachable and willing to do all that they can to be involved in Island life, I will be very sad when they go, they are genuinely warm, caring down to earth people, all the pomp and ceremony is part of the job but they have breathed fresh life into a very old fashioned role.
It is inevitable that a new Govenor will take his place, let’s just hope we are lucky enough to have a candidate with similar qualities. and the very best of luck to the Ridgways when they return home.
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Well said Phylls, I have met the LG and his wife on many occasions, they have no airs or graces.
At Armed Forces day the other weekend I was party to their conversation with a group of bikers, each of which had various tattoos, and piercings. It would have made a great photograph unfortunately I didn’t have a camera to hand. They stood chatting for several minutes about what the bikers were doing for Holiday for Heroes, the Ridgeways were more than interested in the bikers activities.
Yes some points of the establishment require overhauling, the position of LG is one that should remain. In the greater scheme of things, it is a small amount to pay and there are better things to be looking to stop or change, like a 2% rise for the States Members.
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Well compare the salary of our Lieutenant Governor with say that of our Chief Medical Officer,whom gets around another £50,000 and merely acts as a press officer for passing on directives from UK health mandarins. Our CMO has cost this island dear in the great swine flu debacle, around £2.5 million without prior States approval.
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#9 Phylls Lad
‘He cares deeply for this Island and its residents’
I think we could say that for 99% of the population; does that mean we can all claim this then?
What a lot of drivel. Whoever is appointed is going to seem to be a ‘lovely person’ – IT’S THEIR JOB! It’s what they are being paid to do.
The question is whether this ‘job’ is still appropriate in 2010. We don’t have chimney sweeps any more – time to brush out the old establishment me thinks. This is a luxury we can’t afford.
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Phylls Lad
If he cares that deeply for the island, then why didn’t he take a pay cut when he heard times were becoming tough for us?
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One has to ask why this is being advertised in the national press.
I am sure that there are many distinguished ex military personnel living in Jersey who could fit the role.
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id like to see you lot do his job
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I was in the Cubs, Scouts and Venture Scouts. I gained numerous badges including International Diplomacy, Talking Posh and Cycling Proficiently. Do I qualify? Am available now for £50k.
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£105,294 and a dead seagull hat – what a great job
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Andrew Ridgway has done a great job.
But, do we need an LG? Or a Receiver General come to that. And if we do, does it have to be a military man? After all, this is the 21st century. This seems an anachronistic post. Let’s scrap it.
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I think Andrew Ridgway has done a very good job in the island, especially since leaving Wham.
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People are right to question this but they haven’t been given the full picture by this anaemic JEP article which is clearly written to annoy the public ala Daily Mail in the current climate.
Put simply, the Lt Governor post is there due to our sovereign relationship with the Crown. His post is one of the reasons Jersey enjoys legal and governing independence from the UK.
The position of Governor might be due a rethink in modern times but I think most locals would consider that £105,000 per year isn’t a high price to pay if it is part of the structure that means we are not run by ConDem nation or Brussels.
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No 22 Joker
I see your point – but if this is the case, should this position not be held by an official ELECTED by the public?
Unfortunately, here is Jersey, that’s slim pickings!
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@Phylls Lad
Second attempt at getting this message posted.
“You should all feel honoured to have such a worthy representative as him, there’s not many if any of you capable of doing his job.”
Please do not patronise us (aka everyone else who deems this amount of money to be an extravagance). This role is largely ceremonial.
The position of being a representative of the Queen may well be debatable but the position being made available at this cost?
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Off with their heads!
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Andrew is a real nice guy you are so lucky in Jersey to have someone who has time for the man in the street as well as the millionaires good value for money
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We could save £43k per person by removing some States members who add no value to States debates
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This is not class rubbish. He has served this island very well,a nd involved himself where necessary. From what rubbish spews out of the mouths of those who profess to be ‘anti-Establishment’, I am glad they let you nowhere near the reins of government….
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I’ve checked the job spec and I think I’ve found the ideal replacement!
This man was awarded honorary Commando Green Beret by the Royal Marines, a papal knighthood from the Vatican making him a Knight Commander of Saint Gregory the Great. He holds an honorary doctorate of law (LLD) from Leeds University and is a Knight of Malta. He is on easy speaking terms with Her Majesty and can get an audience with any of the major players in government.
His charity work is phenomenal and for a charity dedicated to the integration of the Physically Handicapped in the Able Bodied community has helped raise over £40,000,000.
What’s more he would probably do the job for nothing and give the tax free salary back to charity.
So who is this man?
Sir James Wilson Vincent Savile OBE, KCSG.
Jimmy Savile, as it ‘appens. How’s about that then, guys and galls?
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Great amabassadeur, but far too costly when you consider other perks too. Reduce the salary.
It would be nice to see someone of military standing from Jersey doing this job, if there is such a person.
‘Norman conquest’ I only wish he had been in Wham – thank you for making me laugh!
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Sorry No 14 but you are way out.I understood the MOH,Dr.Geller was on £140,000 and works a 4 day week.! This cannot be said for the Ridgeways.
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Andrew Ridgway has been an excellent Lt Gov, the work he does behind the scenes is not reported or commented, on by their very nature it is not in the public eye. I have met him and as a former serviceman, have a lot of respect for him, as he has been able to inform the island’s legisalters of the knowledged he had gained in the numerous posts he had held. It is important, not only to think outside of the box but to have experiece of the real world.
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@30 John,
As much as one would like the position in representing HMQ, the thought of hearing “Now then, now then” being oft said in Jersey would ensure that I stand aside in the orderly queue that no doubt is forming.
But for no-one else.
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cookiecrumble 32.
You say “Sorry No 14 but you are way out.I understood the MOH,Dr.Geller was on £140,000 and works a 4 day week.! This cannot be said for the Ridgways.”
Exactly so cookiecrumble. The CMO, Dr.Geller, not as you state the MOH, works a four day week for passing on directives from the UK MCA with an individual salary almost a third more than General Ridgway,who has the vital role in communicating Jersey’s independent interests with Whitehall and his unpaid wife, who additionally supports a whole range of local charities. Unlike Dr. Geller, there are two people here, both working full time for Jersey on one salary and they are not on a 4 day week so what is your point?
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I agree with Phylls Lad
Valerie & Andrew Ridgway are lovely people they take the time to talk to you as a person not a number. I think they are the best representatives of this island we have had for ages. He works behind the scenes for all sorts of causes and has an easy manor about him that both children and adults alike feel at home talking with them.
I for one will miss them I think they have been a lovely couple and I wish them all the best for the future.
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Sorry Senator Ozouf…. forgot to add this job to my list of one’s to get rid of. Its a disgrace that this job still exists in this day and age.
How can they tax us more to pay for these ridiculous jobs??!!
They are of no benifit to Jersey and should be removed.
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Those in favour..if you fawn and behave like peasants ..they’ll be happy to throw uneeded crumbs at you……….
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Anna G #24
In answer to your question: No. He is appointed by the Crown and I don’t believe even the States have much say or power over who is appointed. Besides now days the role is more of an ambassadorial type than political or governing.
Like I said the system needs reviewing but Jersey simply couldn’t just axe the post as Jersey does not appoint him and it would do our relation and privileges any favours.
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Firstly, I don’t believe we can just dispense with this role, I understand it to be a necessary part of Jersey’s self-governance as Jersey is a crown dependency. I also thought the candidate was chosen by the ‘Queen’.
Secondly, the thing annoying me is why it isn’t specifically being advertised in Jersey first. There are English people in Jersey (I’m presuming a strictly Jersey person may not be permitted) who have had a ‘distinguished military service background at the highest level’ who would bring to the position a knowledge and love of Jersey.
Still since it is essentially a head of state position I doubt it is there to benefit Jersey, rather to ensure we are not behaving in a way of which the crown would disapprove.
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Lets reward Frank Walker for all the hard work he has done in bringing in Zero Ten, raising Jersey’s profile during the HdlG debacle, giving us the COM and Chief Minister – its about time his contribution to this island is fully rewarded.
Make him the AG, LG and Foreign Minister all in one – call him the Crowns Representative And Protecting minister(or some such)
Peg the salary at £45k.
He can continue to live in his St Brelade pad and drive himself around.
Sell off governement house at the latest Terry Le Sueur valuation of £50.00 to Dandara. Who will apply to build 500 luxury 1 bedroom iconic stylish living spaces on the land and sell them for £1m each. Freddie will see the word iconic, stylish and luxury and will pass the development without skipping a beat. Ozouf can then hedge the £50.00 against the Chinese Yuan, lose the lot and get bailed out by the tax payer while cutting services, school milk, lifeguards, nurses etc. The COM can then demand an inquiry which will be independently led by a team of external consultants, lawyers and experts whose recomendations will be debated and then watered down resultingin a petition signed by a large portion of the populace which will be totally ignored as not in the interests or not representative of the general feeling of the island.
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Please ignore previous post
@40 Leah
“..there are English people in Jersey (I’m presuming a strictly Jersey person may not be permitted) who have had a ‘distinguished military service background…”
ME … ME … OVER HERE {waves hand with a polite and dignified air} ME … WOO HOO ….
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21 – brian cant
As Commander-In-Chief of the island I think it is clear why the post is to be held by someone of high millitary distinction. Yes, the island would never be attacked by why would we have a Civilian CIC, it wouldn’t make sense. I think Mr and Mrs Ridgway have done a fantastic job! They will be sorely missed!
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40. What exactly did they do beside going to functions, dining and wining with our money? Please do not replace them.
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Whilst I’m sure the Ridgways are lovely people and highly skilled in shaking hands and nodding politely, I’m sure ten charities getting ten grand each would also be a benefit to the island.
This kind of role is one that is suited to someone who can do it without remuneration.
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#40 ‘the thing annoying me is why it isn’t specifically being advertised in Jersey first.’
Leah, that is because the Lieutenant Governor has traditionally been an independant outsider.
Protocol dictated that they always returned home at the end of their tour of duty and kept out of Island affairs thereafter. This was also meant to include business involvement!
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#43 ‘I think it is clear why the post is to be held by someone of high millitary distinction. Yes, the island would never be attacked…’
Unless they have recently been done away with, facilities were in place to enable Government House and/or Whitehall to assume control of the Island under certain circumstances including hostilities.
Even now it would be unwise to think that the unthinkable could never happen.
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What a dated and ridiculous title ” Commander in chief ” it offers no protection from anything..we would be better served by The Lone Ranger…and Tonto.
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“…The Lone Ranger…and Tonto.”
Hmm, quallies may be an issue here …
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To all the people saying that the Ridgeways are lovely people and that they do a lot behind the scenes etc etc I am sure that this is true.There are however countless other lovely people who give probably just as much to society without being paid or even thanked.The fact is that the role of Lieutenant Governor is very well paid and the accomodation is not too bad either so I struggle to understand why it is tax free.Is this correct and if so why?
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Presumably the post is paid for by the Crown and not Jersey. If so, why is everyone making a big deal out of this?
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Julie – you are right, I wonder if they would continue to be lovely and friendly if they were asked to take a 50 per cent salary cut.
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Laughing all the way to the bank!
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Why on earth don’t we do away with Governors of islands and if they wish to retain the post then have one Channel Islands Governor. Someone local with a bit of decorum should be able to hold the post surely. They could live in their own home as well. Then Govenrment Houses in both islands could be sold off to wealthy immigrants for millions thus filling some of the islands black holes.
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#4 That’s not very independent, just independent of Jersey. If we want someone really independent we’d need to look outwith GB nationals altogether.
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