Ozouf: ‘Lots of people support me’
Thursday 27th January 2011, 2:59PM GMT.
Treasury Minister Philip Ozouf
TREASURY Minister Philip Ozouf says that he has been reassured by the number of people approaching him to offer support over the ‘sack Ozouf’ petition.
More than 10,000 Islanders have signed a Jersey Democratic Alliance petition to dismiss the minister, but several people have been asking for their names to be removed, saying they were told they were signing up to an anti-GST campaign.
Run-ins
Senator Ozouf – who has a history of run-ins with JDA president Ted Vibert – says that lots of people have been coming forward to offer him their support.
The Treasury Minister says he has received phone calls and emails from people who want to reassure him.
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Mr Ozouf is in a difficult place – like nearly every country, Jersey has serious economic issues that need to be addressed – he is doing the right thing – unfortunatley – doing the right thing will not win the popular vote !
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You tell em Philip!
Of course everybody supports a 5% tax on bread and milk it goes without saying.
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Just look at this childish rubbish. What we need is strong leadership
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Phillip Ozouf will find out in 2014 just how much support he has, plus there could be the added squeeze of only four Senatorial seats so a fifth or sixth place won’t cut the mustard.
But by then he could have had three years in the Chief Minister’s chair and his cuts will be out of the way, maybe the economy will have picked up as well.
I reckon it would be a certain chop if he had to stand this year but I give him a long shot in 2014.
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they love me
They love me not
They love me
They love me not
Do I really care……….NO
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in a fair and balanced world, lets see a keep ozouf petition.
sounds quite fair and even to me , and gauge the sway of public opinion.
failing this , the ballot box will tell.
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Family and friends don’t count, Ozouf.
For every one person who supports you, I’m sure I could find 10 who don’t.
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Lots of people support Philip Ozouf, some have never supported Philip Ozouf and some supporters of Philip Ozouf have lost faith in Philip Ozouf, but what will count in an island wide election and votes from the electorate at large.
In the meantime Philip Ozouf has to get a grip on runaway budgets and a ballooning civil service payroll. We all wait with baited breath and diminish expectation.
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He did pitifully at his last election. More have signed the petition to ditch him then voted for him.
If there were an island referendum on his position he would be packing his bags in the morning!
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Every single Islander supports Philip Ozouf ……….at least in terms of the effects of his political ambition.
’tis the bright day that brings forth the adder’
Julius Caesar. Shakespeare
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I have just looked at the web page that has remained since 2008. It gives the promises of the newly elected senators just after they had been elected.
The promise that was attributed to Senator Ozouf said – ‘I will robustly oppose any attempt to increase GST above 3%.’
I would hope that he would be honourable enough to oppose himself and resign.
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Cringeworthy, I am amazed that this sort of thing is classified as worthy of reporting on.
Pip valid comments I rate him as almost a no hoper now due to him breaking his election pledge on GST. I would expect many to turn against him at the polls because of this in 2014.
Another 40% downturn in his vote and he will be out. A good point as well about reduced senatorial seats. This will make it a lot harder for those aspiring to the position.
I can reassure everyone I have no confidence whatsoever in him and never have done.
However it appears one or two do.
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With nearly 23 years in office, I can speak with some authority when I say that Senator Ozouf is the kind of leader I aspired to be.
Both I and my friend Silvio wish him all the best in the future and don’t let the chattering of the rabble distract from your agenda.
P.S. I will be over with my family soon to discuss in person my 1.1k application.
Best regards,
President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (Ex.)
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Let him resighn and youl see jersey would be a better place
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I wonder if Ozouf has also received 10 000 calls and email supporting him and his views… I would expect so – judging from his statement….
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So Senator Ozouf thinks a lot of people support him? Illusions of grandeur? or perhaps a certain Jersey “click” of his mindset may like him.
But then remember! before one gets to “smug” they say theirs favourites in hell!
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Support him or not, little difference. He has a tough job and it takes a man do to it, like it or not.
Well done Ozouf for having the balls to do it.
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If Mr Ozouf said he has lots of people supporting him why not let him go into St Helier and ask the members of the public to sign a LETS NOT SACK SENATOR OZOUF petition, I bet he does not get many signatures or if he did it he could prove us all wrong, lets see if he will take up the offer I doubt it though!!!
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Mark @ 6….Yes I agree with you.The totally out of control states expenditure should be uppermost in Senator Ozouf’s mind but I question the ability of the treasury department to control our profigate public sector spending. The senator has time to prove himself before facing the electorate and compared to most of his fellow polititians who are useless at best, he does O.K. and would get my vote.
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Give the man a chance, he can’t do any worse!!!
On the petition issue, I thought there had to be an age limit to sign …voting age?
At least my 8 and 10yr daughters were not hasseled to sign, unlike myself who said no!!!
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Lost my vote Phill and that’s a promise I will not be breaking
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Be smug with your “lots of people support me” quote if you want Senator Ozouf, but then remember that lots of people don’t.
It’s just a shame we will have to wait for 2014 to find out which set wins!
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now is his chance to prove us all wrong.
i would regard the petition as a gauntlet being thrown down and take up the challenge .
prove us all wrong senator ozouf then you can have the last laugh.
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I support you Philip, with the most difficult job in Jersey you have sought to find a sensible way forward. Take heart and keep going. You have all our interests at heart.
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As well as family and friends supporting you, the only others are likely to be those who haven’t been here for more than 20 years and therefore do not remember why and how the Rainy Day Fund was established.
We, who were here, remember that the Fund was designed to reflect the true culture of Jersey’s people,i.e. thrifty. We were preparing ourselves for any negative eventuality that may befall us so that, when all others were having to make cutbacks and savings in times of hardship, we would have sufficient put aside to take us through.
So what has happened to all those savings we accrued – £500mln, wasn’t it? Where’s that gone that we cannot now cover the shortfalls? When Mr Ogley was asked that same question recently, he wouldn’t answer – but of course, he hasn’t been here long enough to know what we – the true Jersey people – know?
So, getta grip, Senator – answer the question that we are all asking – where did our savings from over all those years go? If the money still exists, why aren’t we using it? Because, if we aren’t now facing that possible ‘Rainy Day’, for which we have so thriftily been preparing for so long, then what is a Rainy Day in your eyes?
It’s now time to be up front and honest with us – otherwise, it’s time for you to be removed from office and, probably, from the States.
Where’s that petition?
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Well Mr Ozouf … im not one of them! You lied and that is unforgivable in my view and no im not a supporter of the JDA!
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I think Phil is right lots of people support him not wholly through their own choice either.. through their tax payments ;-(
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I’ll support him……. out the door !
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I have friends, honest.
Poor diddums!
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I think a lot of the voting public have no choice but to support the current make up of the COM,
because they way the JDA and Time 4 Change people are now behaving in the States and then inviting speakers of the Tax Justice Network over to tell us to close down out main industry, the alternate for the voter is actually starting to be seen by many people as dangerous.
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The JDA did not exactly get a public mandate at the last bye election but Deputy Southern never stood down as many thousands demanded. It seems the JDA like all good revolutions believe in full equality – just that some are more equal than others – Power to the people and all that….
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In 3 years he will get his obe like his pals frank & terry & disappear like the rest to fields far away (not his)not to be embarassed by an election failure then the next one will move into the seat that hasn’t got to stand.
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While I have no time for Vibert or Southern, I have even less time for Ozouf. One would imagine his friends come from the well off section of Jersey society.
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I agree with Paul Gower #28. The JDA and Time 4 Change people need to be monitored closely because they clearly DO NOT support the finance industry or the people that work in it.
Mind you I think its time Geoff Southern did something else after his disastrous result in the by-election for Senators last year and Tadier only now has a limited following as his contribution so far to Jersey Politics can be written on a postage stamp.
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I support you Phil! to the tune of 12.37 every month,It is not just you I entrust my Hard earned Cash to, I share it equally amongst all the other People that claim to represent my interests even some Parish Constables that I have never had the opportunity to vote for,I pay this on time every Month without fail 12.37 pence to every Senator Deputy and some Parish Constables this figure does not include National Insurance.You and your fellow Politicos then spend my hard earned on things that will benefit us all, it is collective responsibility, I pay responsively on time every month and you OH NO! hang about forget all that.
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A lot more don’t support you Senator. You are making the working people of Jersey pay for all your and the rest of your freinds in the States pay for your mistakes and incompetence. Hopefully during the course of the next elections you and your pals will get your redundancy notices.
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If Monsieur Ozouf has lots of supporters, doubtless this will be proven when he next stands for election. How long do we have to wait to prove his claim?
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perhaps ozouf would like to do an online vote who supports and likes him he is so out of touch with the way the people of jersey think about him just stand down ozouf do us all a fovour
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What is “lots”? 10? 100?
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How about a 1% tax increase for the highest earners instead of the GST increase and social security increase for middle earners…..do that Phil and then perhaps people will have a little more respect for you. Right now, you are up there with Cohen in the popularity stakes and I look forward, along with many others, to voting you out of office.
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Anyone who does not support the finance industry in JErsey shoudl be a major concern – they should not be voted for, as it will ruin our economy, whether you like the industry or not, everyone benefits from it.
If it weren’t for the finance industry, so many more shops will go under, construction industry will cease, motor and home sales will disappear overnight.
The only thing left standing will be the civil service, until the tax dollars dry up, because tax rates will go to more like 40%.
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“Lots of people support me” this is where ist is so easy to become deluded..if hwta you hear and see around you are gladhanders…..assuming that is widespread is easy….grave mistake….look through history at People like Egypt’s Mubarak and other assorted regime leaders and despots…..wanting it to be true does not make it so…….only consensus.
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If this comment section is anything to go by ,the ‘groundswell’ of support is illusory, or more likely a self deluding fantasy.
Having had three days to scream ‘We love you and your policies!’ Almost total silence.
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Like him or not, he is by far the best politician this island has got!
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I cannot see a situation whereby Senator Ozouf is not re-elected or does not become the next Chief Minister.He has shown himself to be a very adept politician, riding the political breezes with a great insight into an ever changing political climate.
As a (previously) avid listener to the States broadcasts, in better times he set great store in the (so-called) free market.When this hit the buffers he road over the hill on his white charger with funds to help the economy weather the storm, totally against the free market concept he used to champion.
There is no need to repeat the bit about his previously stated opposition to an increase in GST, as most people see the increase as a necessary evil.However his proposal to increase GST, together with other duty increases could have been worked out by a 10 year old (obviously a private school 10 year old) – I mean it isn`t rocket science is it.
Then on top of it all he can sit back and watch the JDA and partners expose their total naivety and lack of sophistication.
He must be even more delighted when he sees some of the postings throughout this site describing them as reds and commies etc.
#32 Craig says they “need to be monitored closely”- I mean is this Germany 1933 ?
Adios campaneros
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The the wizard of Oz not only lives in the fantasy land of economics, but he is also delusional. If you believe that Senator, force a bye election, you have not got a chance or getting back in and neither has anyone alined to or with you. You created this mess with your wealthy mates and the 0/10 xmas present, breaking the backs of middle Jersey. You should go now before your incompetence brings anymore damage to our once beautiful Island. To the rest of you states members either backing him, or sitting on the fence to see which way the wind will blow, well there is a gale force coming Ozouf’s way, either listen to the people or get voted out.
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@22
Speak for yourself mate! What about lower income families already struggling to make ends meet? Does he have their interests at heart?? I think not! Saying that though I don’t doubt for a second that your statement is true he probably does have your interests at heart.. you and all your rich pals in Grouville.
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#35 “How long do we have to wait to prove his claim?”
Technically he could test his claim at any time.
All he needs to do is stand down and force a by-election. Something which, in 2008, Ian Le Marquand thought any candidate who wanted the Chief Minister’s office should have to do (of course that was then and ILM has now also changed his tune).
I won’t hold my breath!
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Am I the only one who thinks this whole debate an offensive shambles? Ozouf was elected for 6 years, end of story. Assuming he doesn’t “do a Ted” and bottle it, we only find out what level of support he has in 2014.
This is a debate that leads nowhere and is anti-democratic. The people spoke in 2008, and that is the end of it. At the same time they said that they didn’t want Southern or Pitman in the States, a message they repeated to Southern in 2010. Yet Ted seems to think 10,000 unverified signatures is more convincing than an electoral mandate.
What a buffoon!
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Donald Pond,
I believe that the disquiet from the 10,000 arises from Sen Ozouf’s reneging on his manifesto together with his lame performance as Treasury Minister. In view of this, and particularly when he is considered as the shoo-in COM, doesn’t democratic process actually allow people the right to protest, whether it be by way of petition or other means.
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Gary,
Didn’t Geoff Southern on the hustings say that he supported the finance industry? And wasn’t that a lie? And would we have had the GST raise if the States hadn’t kicked out Ozouf’s proposals to raise duty on beer and fags?
Politicians say whatever they need to to get into power and then fail to live up to expectations. People do have a right to protest. But what they don’t have is a right to waste the time of others flogging dead horses.
Is there one person in Jersey who believes that the prayer of the petition (to sack Ozouf) has a chance of being agreed by the States? No. So it is by definition a waste of States time. And by definition the people bringing it are timewasters.
Timewasters in the States, who’d have thunk?
Oh, and don’t assume 10,000 signed the petition. One of my colleagues claims to have signed it 8 times. And also, just because I regard him as the least worst of a useless bunch, don’t think I support Ozouf in any meaningful way.
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donald Ozouf wouldn’t get in again if he stood for election now. He knows it, we know. He wants the top job which we think he has been lined up for many years ago. We have to wait till 2014 when hopefully the establishment voters will see sense and say enough is enough, or that a reasonable amount of the 70% non voters decide it is time to vote. Another 40% drop in his vote and its out the door.
As per 2008 people who unfortunately voted for Ozouf believed his promise on GST and we all know what happened to that. I predicted this would happen at the time, however others prefered to put their faith in his election manifesto. You might think this is ok I don’t. It just shows what these sorts think of the electorate in my honest opinion. I do hope people like you don’t vote for him again, or things will get even worse for the vast majority.
As per democracy when the unelected, the connetables and deputies are removed then this will be another step towards democracy, until then forget it. Even you should realise that the government we have is undemocratic.
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As I see it Phill the support you can count on comes from the extremely rich tax evaders and the finance industry. The common man and middle Jersey have had their fill of the Walker, Le Sueur, Ozoufs school of economics raise duty raise taxes and employ highly paid civil servants to sit on their bottoms all day thinking of the large expense accounts
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Mr Ozouf does not have my support and the sooner he resigns from office the better. He has shown no understanding of the basics of economics and has poured millions of our money down the civil service drain.
And to add insult to injury is advertising a new post in tonight’s JEP for a new chief officer for harbours and airport.
The man is a joke.
Philip do the decent thing and stand down and put your faith in the people who support you and cause a by-election. I for one will stand against you and we will let the public decide the outcome.
I wait with anticipation.
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The problem is like him or loathe him, who are we going to replace him with?
I can’t think of anyone else remotely qualified to do a better job from the bunch of 300 vote muppets we have at the moment.
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If you tell a lie enough times it will be repeated as fact. It is NOT the case that over 10,000 eligible Jersey voters signed a petition specifically demanding the sacking of Ozouf. We just don’t know because the JDA shouted from the top of their voices (literally) that the petition was anti-GST, and exercised no control over who could sign, be they youngsters or tourists. We just don’t know – and no Adrian the Delusional, we really don’t know that Ozouf will lose at the next election. That is what voting in secret is for . Not so long ago we “knew” that a certain Frank Walker wouldn’t get re-elected and he did. Let the game play out, let proper argument take place, let people consider the options of corporate tax versus income tax versus indirect tax versus cuts in public expenditure. Whatever the result, I would not presume to believe that I knew better and could speak on behalf of everybody else, I wouldn’t be so pompous. Let the people decide.
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Our dear Finance Minister brings little to the table when it comes to governing and representing the people of this Island – unfortunately firing or voting him out of office will not change the way “Finance” and those behind it’s doors are forming and dictating our economic policy.
Like all of his colleagues in the CoM, the current unpopular Finance Minister is no more than a timid messenger boy being used by the unelected big boys in the back room, to carry out the hidden agenda via policies that they alone have set. And as such, it becomes obvious as to who was ultimately responsible for instigating and introducing GST into our now economically messed up Island life.
So whether or not the fickle Finance Minister meant what he said when campaigning for office or whether he broke his word and lost what little integrity he once had, is of little importance. Because, like all of his other Ministerial Colleagues, he simply does not have any real say in either forming or implementing economic policy – that task has been high jacked by Finance and the unelected Senior Officers running the Department.
Obviously the Island’s electorate needs to wake up and find some real balls for itself, before it can ever hope to achieve some form of “accountable” representation in the governance and running of the Island.
Ultimately, at the end of the day, it is not about Ozouf and what thin support he may or may not have, but rather, it is about our States Members as a whole, because it is they who are totally responsible for the financial mess we are in.
It was our States Members and they alone, who decided to vote GST into law – not you or I or even the sinister unelected powers who were behind the idea in the first place – and although without doubt there was some strong bureaucratic back room arm-twisting along the way, it was ultimately the States Members who had the last and final word on the issue – and it was they alone who could have “freely” voted NO to the Idea – and might well have, had a little more integrity been found among what has become an elected house of useful fools!
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Blade – thought by now you would have realised people don’t care whether Ozouf has or has not your support….
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donald pond
Posted February 1, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Is there one person in Jersey who believes that the prayer of the petition (to sack Ozouf) has a chance of being agreed by the States? No. So it is by definition a waste of States time. And by definition the people bringing it are timewasters.
——————————————
Because the States are almost guaranteed to ignore the democratic voice of the public, the public are “timewasters” for daring to use that voice?
I think you’ll find that reveals more about the fundamental failings of our government than it does about the people who brought the protest.
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57 The Jersey Bull…Right on the button Sir, A Brilliant post, accurate and salient with an alacrity to embrace the truth that is refreshing..obviously a True Jerseyman.
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Right Mr Ozouf ,let’s be havin’ you..if you say you have lot’s of support ..stand down and let the voters select….I sense the confidence of that posturing waning…..
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JB valid comments the electorate does indeed need to wake up.
Mike so you are saying we don’t know that he is going to be the next CM?
If you bothered to get out a bit more to the grass roots, you know the ones that constently get ignored, you would see the resentment building. If you just go to cocktail parties,
and the likes then things will appear rather different.
Still no answer on Ozouf’s manifesto in which the words were put down in black and white so as to give no misunderstanding,unlike the JDA which you claim mislead people. Which is worse in your opinion?
You mightn’t know it, but I know Jersey is going down the pan and it has been for 20 odd years now. As far as I am concerned poor fiscal management has caused this to arise along with an inability to move forward and diversify away from finance. As the Monty Python sketch about spam put it, you can have spam spam and spam………. replace spam with finance and you have it in one.
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Dearie me,
“Because the States are almost guaranteed to ignore the democratic voice of the public, the public are “timewasters” for daring to use that voice?”
You’ve lost the plot. The democratic voice of the public is heard at elections. At elections, checks take place to ensure that:
1) the question asked is unambiguous;
2) the voters response in unambiguous;
3) voters are not subjected by pressure to vote one way or another;
4) only people on the register can vote; and
5) people only vote once.
A cheap table in King Street and Ted Vibert shouting “sign here if you oppose GST” is not conducive to expressing the democratic voice.
Also, the point about GST is not whether you want it or not. The point is what policies do you want that together balance revenue raising and expenditure. History shows that whenever you ask anyone if they support a tax in isolation they say no. But if you ask them whether they would prefer an extra 2% on GST or an extra 3% on income tax, you may get a different answer. Or whether they want no GST but 10% fewer nurses and teachers.
And for those saying he should stand down, why didn’t Gordon Brown stand down in 2008 or Cameron now? Because we don’t want to change politicians every week, which is about as long as they remain “popular”.
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“The totally out of control states expenditure should be uppermost in Senator Ozouf’s mind but I question the ability of the treasury department to control our profigate public sector spending. ”
Sorry, this is a complete and utter myth put about by Ozouf and his cheerleaders, Sarah Ferguson at Corporate Services “Scrutiny” and Ben Shenton at Public Accounts Committee.
There is waste, of course there is, suspensions and the failings of the HR department spring to mind. The Euro disaster (Terry le Sueur’s fault by the way, but blamed it on the States Treasurer), and no doubt others, but the fact is that the public sector is underfunded.
Sewage system needs replacing, States property has had no maintenance, our roads are under-maintained to the point of being dangerous. Health has been chronically underfunded too.
All this because no provision has been made in the good times for these essential items.
So now, in the recession the Treasurer needs more money.
That is the reason for some of the tax increases, and Ozouf has put those through, though he has been coy about why.
Does not change the fact that his nose is too long and he should go, and also for the disaster of backing zero-ten when it was a wheeze that was clearly not going to get past Brussels.
A Gambling man as Treasury Minister? I think not
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57.The Jersey Bull
How right you are.
It was only in last Sundays papers where it was quoted that the Big 4 accountancy firms are really the ones that control tax havens.
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Adrian, Jersey has been “going down the pan” according to many vocalists such as yourself ever since I arrived on the island 15 years ago. In that time, we have seen fantastic growth and prosperity off the back of the golden goose that is the Finance Industry. When did you say the World will end?
Regarding any pre-determination of the next Chief Minister, that is wrong. Resentment against it perfectly understandable, no argument from me there. However, if there is a sensible assessment of what experience is required before becoming the Big Chief, then Ozouf has to be up there with a strong shot. In terms of personal characteristics, he doesn’t go in for rantings (tick), handles pressure sensibly (tick) and doesn’t give in to small protest groups (tick). He understands what needs to be done in an economic sense (tick) as do so many other Western Chancellors and takes the tough decisions that are required (tick). He understands that economic strategy needs to be flexible not static (tick), and if that means that any intent not to increase certain taxes is not set in stone and that such increases are kept to a minimum, he gets another tick from me (GST ain’t 20% you know).
So get over the resentment, apply thought and logic instead of blind prejudice, and see if that helps you look upon our future more brightly. You won’t of course, because 20 years ago you thought that Jersey would be going down the pan and you will not change your view until it (ever) does.
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“donald pond
Posted February 1, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Am I the only one who thinks this whole debate an offensive shambles? Ozouf was elected for 6 years, end of story.”
What this whole debate clearly reveals is the need for the Senatorial term of office to be radically reduced from 6 years.
whilst we continue to have a unique political system which lacks the checks, balances and political conscience of party politics, thus allows publically elected “representatives” to renege on pre-election promises or ignore public opinion without fear of consequence until the next election, 6 years is far too long a term.
In 6 years you could have watched your child be born, spend 4 years growing through infancy and now be in its second year of primary school. In 6 years you could have completed a University degree and now be in the early stages of your chosen career. 6 years is what it takes to pass through the entire secondary school system, from your first day in uniform to the final day of your GCSE’s.
Ask yourself what you were doing 6 years ago, and what has happened along the journey which led you from there to this day today.
Six may be a small number, but in life six years is a long time.
When our government has proven itself mature and responsible enough to handle 6 year Senatorial terms, let them have 6 year Senatorial terms.
Until then, reduce that period.
The danger with the six year Senatorial reign is one of leaving the public feeling more and more powerless in the face of accumulating examples of political incompetence, ignorance or arrogance from various Senators, which will only serve to increase public anger and frustration towards some politicians as the years slowly pass.
That cannot be a good thing for the public, for the politicians, or for local politics.
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Listen to truthseeker – wanting to waste money on a by-election.
Donald Pond is spot on. He was elected to do a job, and he will let people who voted for him down by resigning. He was elected for the term, and it woudl be offensive to ask him, or anyother person to stand down.
Why dont’ we just ask everyone to stand down and go for re-election whenever any individual wants it.
The system would go into a shambles.
One day I hope people on here will think before they go on about stuff they have little or no knowledge about.
Clearly Jersey has a an alcohol problem when you look at a great deal of the ridiculous comments on here.
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>> Mike
Adrian, Jersey has been “going down the pan” according to many vocalists such as yourself ever since I arrived on the island 15 years ago. In that time, we have seen fantastic growth and prosperity off the back of the golden goose that is the Finance Industry.<<
Mike,
I have lived here over 15 years longer than you. In my time on Jersey I have seen a distinct downturn in the quality of life.
I have not seen "fantastic growth". I have seen industries which flourished before you arrived decline because of neglect by a government obsessed with toadying to the finance industry.
I have seen a gradual social and economic downturn. I have seen a growing division between the haves and the have-nots. All of which coincidentally gathered pace when Ministerial government was forced upon us and the top seats at the political table were largely handed out to a group of millionaires.
Sorry to be another of the "many vocalists", but there is a reason why we vocalise the way we do. If you had arrived here a decade earlier and seen Jersey in the real years of "growth and prosperity" you would understand our despair at the way the island has fallen.
But you didn't so you don't.
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So Chelle, comparing now to 1981, the decline of the tourism industry is down to Ministerial Government and not the strength of the mass market for cheaper package holidays to the Med and beyond where sunshine is guaranteed? The have nots in Jersey appear to live in subsidised housing adorned with satellite dishes. The fifteen years before I moved here were not spent nowhere, they were spent in several places, and the socio-economic circumstances of this island remain outstanding.
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Chell (68)
I totally agree with you. I cannot believe how our standard of living has fallen since Ministerial Government.
Average Mr Jersey is the sacrificial lamb to this Ministerial dictatorship whose strings are pulled by the oligarchs.
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Chelle, Your last contemptuous passage gives you away. You say because Mike hasn’t lived here as long as you, his views are wrong. Well, I’ve lived here 60 years and agree with every point he’s made. You say the seats at the political table have been handed to millionaires? Long before membership of the States became a paid position, states members were predominantly successful self-made business men, including many millionaires. The opportunities to challenge them were far less than you have now. They could more easily be termed “oligarchs” than your current members, but calling people oligarchs is, like, so radical and fashionable isn’t it?
The entire world is going through a tough patch, but down to some competent management by (most of) our politicians who put money asisd in the good times, instead of spending it like the UK, we’re in a comparatively much better position.
When this Island crumbles, it won’t be from the finance industry disappearing due to external pressures, it’ll be the consequences of the defeatist whingers such as those on this forum who find it easy to moan, but much more difficult to come up with a constructive suggestion on anything.
If we all pulled together, we can get through this without major harm. Constantly talking the Island down helps no-one but our enemies.
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