Le Marquand to stand for Chief Minister
Wednesday 27th July 2011, 4:05PM BST.
Home Affairs Minister Ian Le Marquand
HOME Affairs Minister Ian Le Marquand has announced his intention to stand for Chief Minister in the autumn.
Senator Le Marquand has been in the States since 2008 and believes he is now ready for the ‘tough challenge’ of leading the Island’s government following the retirement of Chief Minister Terry Le Sueur.
The former Magistrate is the first Member to publicly confirm that he will be putting himself forward for the job when a new House is decided in November and says that, if elected by the rest of the Assembly, it will be the biggest challenge he has ever faced.
His decision confirms long-running speculation that he would declare his interest in the Island’s top political job, something Treasury Minister Philip Ozouf is also widely expected to do soon.
Both Senators are halfway through their six-year terms and do not have to face the electorate this year.
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Get the next boat out islanders.It can only get worse.!
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Can it seriously have com to this. If he had, during his time as magistrate and then minister of Home Affairs, shown any vision, any ability to crack down on violent crime, then I might give him a chance. As it is, he is simply another slightly odd socially inept bumbler in the mould of Le Sueur.
And Ozouf isn’t much better. And don’t get me started on Bailhache.
Can we have one candidate who appears to live in the 21st century and have a sense of humour. Someone who now and again appears to have fun? Someone who, dare I say it, thinks that being a politician in Jersey isn’t the most important job in the world.
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Didnt he say that no states member who has yet completed a full term and been re elected should not in his opinion offer themselves for chief minister?
Either way i hope our fine states members dont vote for someone who doesnt stick to his word. Oh, just remembered that includes no gst increase Phil Ozouf.
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This is good news. He may not be a perfect candidate for the job, but he is a darn sight better than Ozouf and he could actually beat him in the vote.
But I do say this – Ian, have some integrity and resign your seat and have a by-election to let the public give you a mandate for your ambitions.
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At least comrade Southern will be happy, not only will the school children get free milk, we’ll all be drinking it. No more liberal stuff like unmarried partners, booze or dancing on a Sunday.
This guy could make Mary Whitehouse look like Larry Flynt.
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At last Jersey can have a leader who’s integrity is only surpassed by his good judgement
http://www.thisisjersey.com/2010/03/31/ill-resign-over-police-chief-appointment/
Well ???
HIDS x.
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Oh No !!!
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It just seems a shame that the people of Jersey are unable to vote as to who they would like to be Chief Minister. Why is it decided by the States and not the public.
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If the so-called office of “Chief Minister” is to have any form of democratic legitimacy, then Le Marquand should stand in November on the asserted platform. Anything else is tantamount to personal and political contempt for the electorate.
Walker and Le Sueur have each shown, though their respective flawed elections and by subsequent activities, that “Chief Minister” is a “nothing” title which means little to the average voter and with which the average voter is unable to be associated through any form of ballot or other democratic input. the public of the island have not consented to the office, nor to the occupation of the same by either of the incumbents to date.
By resigning and standing in November, Le Marquand has the power to change this perception and to make the office of “Chief Minister” something approaching legitimate. But has he the courage to do so?
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Either way I lose as a voter…and would most definitely not vote ofr La Marquand or Ozouf..the public of this Island deserve a real choice…
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This is wonderful news, he has to be the best man for the job by a mile.
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Both Ozouf and Le Marquand have said that the Chief Minister should only be elected from those Senators who have just been elected.
I want the poll topper in this year’s senatorials to be the Chief Minister.
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Out of touch and in an Ivory tower,no doubt intelligent and when sitting as a Judge no doubt expects clear arguments, and facts.
As a politician cannot remember if he wrote Terms of Reference for enquiries,who was doing what or how often they reported back and if they did no minutes of meetings were kept.
Now he wants to be the highest ranking politician in Jersey becoming CM. He actually seems very qualified judging by recent candidates, and post holders.
Davey West.
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The following are extracts from the cover page of Ian Le Marquand’s last election campaign website:
“”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”
“FAIR and ACCOUNTABLE government” [main banner]
“Dear Voter
I believe that you are looking for real change at the election ………………..”
“…….., I am a new and independent face in politics. I have always brought gradual but real and positive change and would intend to do the same in the States.” ……….
“”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”
To avoid any risk of ILM style “cherry-picking”, the full election advert is available at : http://www.ianlemarquand.com/index.html
Ian Le Marquand promised us FAIRNESS, ACCOUNTABILITY, REAL CHANGE – We thought he meant for the BETTER. Fool me once, shame on you…………..
I and many others feel conned out of our vote by ILM’s consistent failure to live up to these manifesto promises – and to pretty much deliver THE EXACT OPPOSITE.
RESIGN – & face the electorate like a man !
HIDS x.
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If the so-called office of “Chief Minister” is to have any form of democratic legitimacy, then Le Marquand should stand in November on the asserted platform. Anything else is tantamount to personal and political contempt for the electorate.
Walker and Le Sueur have each shown, though their respective flawed elections and by subsequent activities, that “Chief Minister” is a “nothing” title which means little to the average voter and with which the average voter is unable to be associated through any form of ballot or other democratic input. the public of the island have not consented to the office, nor to the occupation of the same by either of the incumbents to date.
By resigning and standing in November, Le Marquand has the power to change this perception and to make the office of “Chief Minister” something approaching legitimate. Bet he won’t.
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Go for it Ian. Your are the best man for the position and you have my vote. Wish you every success.
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12; I read it thanks for the info;
one thing that le Marquand says is:
“I do not believe that we can long continue with the present situation in which the people of Jersey have no effective say as to who will be the next Chief Minister and other Ministers.”
Interesting. I wonder if he will put his money where his mouth is and stand in November, thereby giving the people of Jersey “an effective say as to who will be the Next Chief Minister”.
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What a pillar of society, bring back the dark ages, all in bed with a glass of milk by 19.30. No drinking, gambling, smoking, or any other pleasures that take ones mind off the Comedy Show broadcast each Tuesday from 9.30 am.
Well I did not vote for him, but there are a lot of others who did, so you get the Government you deserve and that includes Mr Excitement ILM who now wants to be head honcho. The future looks rosy and bright, but not here in Jersey if Mr Excitement gets in. And no I do not believe he is a better alternative to the self proclaimed messiah of the economy PO, they both should be locked in a room together and forgotten. See who screams first.
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#17 ‘one thing that le Marquand says is:
“I do not believe that we can long continue with the present situation in which the people of Jersey have no effective say as to who will be the next Chief Minister and other Ministers.”’
A would-be politician famously said (abridged):
“My friends, in the light of present day developments let me say right away that I do not regard existing conditions likely. On the contrary, I have always regarded them as subjects of the gravest responsibility and shall ever continue to do so. Indeed, I will go further and state quite categorically that I am more than sensible of the definition of the precise issues which are at this very moment concerning us all…If any part of what I am saying is challenged, then I am more than ready to meet such a challenge. For I have no doubt whatsoever that whatever I may have said in the past, or what I am saying now, is the exact, literal and absolute truth as to the state of the case. I put it to you that this is not the time for vague promises of better things to come. For, if I were to convey to you a spirit of false optimism, then I should be neither fair to you nor true to myself…”
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You tell him, Hedinda…you tell him!
Jersey’s ‘rulers’ have made and broken too many promises, misled the people and left too many questions unanswered.
And, we can be sure that most of the new election promises will not be kept or even remembered once the candidates are in office.
So folks, don’t fall for articulate slogans and don’t give second chances to politicians who have already failed…and, who will fail again if given the opportunity!
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These elitist types have no useful place in our system go our and vote for some down to earth practical minded who do what they say on the tin for goodness sake…too many dreamers and liars…don’t want ‘em ..don’t need ‘em
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“So folks, don’t fall for articulate slogans and don’t give second chances to politicians who have already failed…and, who will fail again if given the opportunity!”
Given that the electoral choice is invariable between proven political failures and proven failures in other walks of life who fancy becoming politicians, is it any wonder that Mr Pond will not be voting this year.
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OK folks, question time. Can anybody name one member of the States who has proven to be a success in a senior management role outside of the States?
No, me neither.
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Sorry but not this time Ian, you have not lived up to any of the promises you made you are not fit for the Job you do now, and to think some one with such a confused mind was a Judge, let alone Chief Minister god help us.
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@23 I can – but not one of the current crop.
“Fellows, let’s be reasonable, huh? This is not the time or the place to perform some kind of a half-assed autopsy on a fish… And I’m not going to stand here and see that thing cut open and see that little Kintner boy spill out all over the dock. “
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Pond (23)
I think you’ll find that several States members were in charge of dungeons and dragons games at an age when they should really have been chasing skirt.
Nice picture of Mr Bean playing chess in the early 70s in the JEP yesterday. Just think, he’d have been 16 in 1967: what an opportunity, wonder if it passed him by?
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Unlike Rico I think Senator Le Marquand has done an excellent job so far and he has delivered what his voters had asked for. Crime is down to its lowest for 7 years so what frame of mind Rico is speaking from can only be delusional. Its the bigger picture some of these people seem to be blinkered to and whilst Home Affairs with the Police keeps this island safe for our children what else can anybody else ask for?
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I.L.M. is mediocrity personified. As for Paul Irwin’s assertion about the lowest crime figures -surely he can’t believe the official statistics? Doesn’t he realise that when people have no confidence in the criminal justice system they no longer bother to report crime.
It’s not just the police who are to blame, but also the courts and many of the problems have occurred on I.L.M’s watch.
I like Donald Pond’s description of the guy,
he “is simply another slightly odd socially inept bumbler…..”
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I think it’s such a shame that some people come on here with nothing but a counter political agenda but to trash the good Senator. I am pleased we voted for him and will do so without hesitation again and why? He is honest, he is hard working and crime has gone down under his leadership. This hogwash about people having no confidence in the criminal justice system so no longer bother to report crime is a pathetic attempt to undermine this Senator’s good work so far.
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Tina 29.
Re: “I am pleased we voted for him…”
Tina, I’m so pleased you’re pleased, but please allow others to be displeased if they so please…please. Thank you!
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Tina # 29. It’s the same in the U.K., the British Crime Survey’s statistics often differ from official figures. It’s not hogwash, it’s very true I am afraid and you are very naive if you believe the properganda put out by Home Affairs.
If you believe I.L.M. is doing a good job, then I am afraid you are in the minority.
I think I am right in saying Donald Pond is a lawyer and probably knows more than anyone that I.L.M. is inadequate in his role.
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Nine pints,
You are correct, but a look at ILEM’s CV tells it all. He worked for ever-smaller firms, ended up as a one man band, became a magistrate (which is generally regarded by Jersey lawyers as the graveyard shift for those who can’t cut it in the private sector), then becomes a politician.
Any evidence of vision, of being able to manage a team, of being able to tempt people to join him, of entrepreneurial spirit, of ambition? Of, in short, leadership qualities? No. Just a history of mediocrity, ending in isolation.
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http://www.thisisjersey.com/2008/12/03/promises-of-newly-elected-senators/
So, how well has he done since standing on his 2008 election principles?
For instance, he said then, ‘We have no say on who the Chief Minister is and that is a fundamental problem.’
So how is he going to deal with this ‘fundamental problem’?
When asked during that campaign who he would vote for Chief Minister he said;
‘The answer is that I am not happy with any of the current candidates. That is a truthful answer. I do not think any of the 53 Members have the necessary qualifications.’
http://www.thisisjersey.com/2008/10/18/no-ones-up-to-top-job-in-states/
He now seems to think that his qualifications are such that he is the only person who could possibly fill the vacancy.
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Ian’s actually an ok bloke, I worked with him years ago in his law practice. He is probably the best candidate. Good luck Ian.
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I am at a total loss to see how the senior ministers have the audacity to tell us that we have nobody in the island that is qualified enough to take on senior civil servant jobs.
As far as I know, there was only one who was qualified to do the job he was in. 3 years ago. ( not now. ) Terry Le Sueur.
We have the likes of Oz whom I presume will be standing for chief minister. I dread to think what state the island will be in, in3 years time if he gets elected.
As an afterthought, being that it is an election year, the States want to achieve savings. I would like to suggest that they do away with the steam clock ,as no one ever visits the thing, it also costs a fortune to maintain and replace it with pillories so that we can put any elected member of the government in them, if they do not keep their promises to the electorate
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Le Marquand has been a total let down and a total failure. As for Deputy Shona Pitman you are dead right girl. Give me a good non nonsense pleb like you working for the ordinary people any time over an arrogant Hooray Henry who always seems to get the top jobs in our joke of a government. No better than Ozouf and that is saying something. Give the job to Alan Breckon.
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At a time like this I can’t help but think of the episode of Southpark where the kids have an election to choose a new school mascot. They have to choose between a Giant Douche and a T**d Sandwich. Looks like fiction is fast becoming fact..
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I thought it went to the treasury minister or the assistant Chief minister like in the past. So i think ozeuf or Cohen will be given the position without question.
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I still rate the big O as the worst of a very poor crop. It appears to me that Ozouf will be the next minister regardless of what the island wants! ILM is not much better.
The fundamental problem is the sorts that end up running the island. Their major shortcomings are an inability to manage an island economy and look after middle Jersey.
For the rich they are perfect as the CoM bend over backwards to look after them.
The rest can get by as best they can even if GST has to go up to 20%!
It is time to get priorities in order. No more wasting money and no more pandering to the rich. Most of the money comes from middle Jersey and this is where they should be forcusing their efforts. Upset enough of these and you will have mass emmigration to pastures new then who will be paying to keep things afloat in Jersey?
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At this time of trouble and disillusionment with Govt.especially the failed C.O.M. if WE the people had a choice..many would want a committee system installed where true democracy could flourish…we should not have this manufactured and spurious position,it was manipulated into place by Walker,then Le Sueur got it..NONE of US voted on it .none of the candidates had to fight a proper election for it …leaving it with neither legitimacy,value or respect, people Guffaw at the mention of ‘chief ministeer’ in exactly the same way as the Muppet show…it really is pitiful to masquerade as a proper democracy when in fact…take it or leave it Dictatorial attitudes prevail….Terry Le Sueur said on G.S.T. and I quote.” I don’t care if 100,000 people vote against it,we are going to do it…well thank’s a bunch Tyrant numero uno…proves yet againb..if you don’t stand for something…you’ll fall for anything.
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who cares ,jersey is finished the way we knew it .
we will soon have maffia here and vice ,may be already .im only pleased i seen good times ,but sad that its going to be a hostile place to live soon.i think ian will do his best but i dont think he will make things any beter as this island is beyond help .hope all you rich live long and happy lives, but dont hold your breath it cant last for ever .
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The mistake was creating a post, that needs a man in a million to fill, in a place with only 90,000 people. I reckon we only have about a one in eleven chance of anyone ever measuring up to the job.
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Look on the bright side…
If either Ozouf or ILM (neither of whom will have a mandate) get in as CM, the island’s housing problems will be resolved at a stroke, because the queues at the harbour for the proverbial boat out in the morning will make 28 June 1940 seem like a Sunday School picnic.
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#37 J R R Trollking – brilliant – I’d forgotten about that one.
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Adrian (39) I still rate the big O as the worst of a very poor crop
Yes Adrian I am with you on that. Nevertheless, whoever becomes Chief Minister must have the wherewithal to pick and fire his ministers. Let the CoM stand or fall as a collective. Too much dithering is doing Jersey no good, however you cut your cloth.
So it is Ian Le Marquand for me, but if he fails I will vote to get him out in 2014.
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Ian Le Marquand has been a disaster. Describing the way he has behaved in bumbling through matters like HDLG as like Mister Bean is very apt and hardly unkind.
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Mac you could be right the way things are going the future ain’t looking too bright for middle Jersey. At some stage more places around the world will overtake Jersey in the desirability stakes. Then it will be chokes away to a better life style elsewhere for lots more people.
Many I know are actively looking to move elsewhere, as they want a future for their children and themselves where they can afford a house of their own, where they have access to better priced goods and food, and much cheaper travel etc etc.
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truthseeker: You say the island needs a choice. Well for the time being Ozouf is the best. However don’t fear, you will get that choice soon truthseeker, in the next election or two, you will have the best choice available.
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Adrian, I look forward to those people who you say are actively looking to leave. I don’t know why they are looking for, unless when they look they realise how lucky they have it here. If they wanted to leave, they can tomorrow if they wish.
Are you one of them? PLEASE SAY YES!
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