UNTIL quite recently, it seemed that a Jersey anti-discrimination law had been put on the back burner for so long that this category of legislation would never make the statute book.

Indeed, a decade has passed since a law was first mooted. It was therefore something of a surprise last week when the States decided, apparently rather abruptly, that discrimination was a matter of priority.

Thanks to Deputy Geoff Southern, a law will now be drafted. States Members not only found time to debate the issue, but also unanimously approved the principle as the very last act before they retired for the summer recess.

The new law, which we are told will be prepared ‘at any cost’, will bring the Island into line with many other jurisdictions, including the UK. Blindly following suit is not something that the Island should go in for, but lining up with those places legislating against discriminatory practices will not only be the right course of action, but will also enhance our reputation internationally.

Significantly, in the form now envisaged the law will also outlaw discrimination against people on the grounds of disability as well as age, sex or race.

But although the real prospect of an anti-discrimination law is to be welcomed, at least one note of caution must be sounded. Even if legislation is in place and penalties can be imposed on those who discriminate, that will not be the end of the matter. Of even more importance are the attitudes which prevail in the community. Rendering activities illegal will not, alas, abolish the misguided and reprehensible ideas that lie behind them.

The processes of the socialisation of children and education might eventually make discriminatory beliefs the province of only the lunatic fringe. Unfortunately, as most people will be aware, we are a long way from that position. Discrimination, particularly as expressed in attitudes to women and those from other cultures, is still all too prevalent.

Meanwhile, the unanimous acceptance by Members that the Island must have a harmonising anti-discrimination law pointed to another rare form of harmony. As Deputy Rob Duhamel pointed out, the general agreement that legislation must go ahead demonstrated that what he described as ‘the two sides of the House’ can be capable of replacing invective and aggression with constructive co-operation.