Democracy must replace dictatorship

Thursday 28th July 2011, 2:26PM BST.

From John Heys.
WHAT an excellent job done on your election survey. Well done, the JEP. It certainly showed how unhappy people are with how we are being mismanaged.

We now have the clearest message possible that we, the people, have to bring about big change, and the only way to do this – it will be our last chance to stop the rot and get the useless, inept members out of the States – is to get out and vote for new blood in October.

We have been led so far down the wrong road that even with the people of Jersey voting for big change, it will be a long and difficult task. But it must be done, and it is up to us.

We have seen that huge petitions, demonstrations and pleas for common sense get totally ignored, and when the damage done is obvious, the perpetrators resign.

We have to get rid of dictatorship and reintroduce democracy. October is when we will have a chance to do it. It may possibly be our last chance.

1
Realist

July 29, 2011 at 11:01 pm

Democracy is something that has lost its way in Jersey.We have an Assembly that is paid, without choice, by all of the island electorate, yet most members of that Assembly are simply either elected on a parish level on a few hundred votes, or sometimes, if unopposed, with none at all. By that, I mean local councillors, aka deputies.Yet they are given the same vote and remuneration as Senators, whom were elected on an island wide mandate of several thousand votes. That those deputies voted to reduce democracy by getting rid of four senatorial seats out of twelve on the basis of one vote,without an island wide referendum, is an damning indictment of the parlous state of democracy in Jersey.How can we vote in October, when this fatally flawed system remains in place?

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2
Mona Lot

July 31, 2011 at 10:58 am

Very little in this Island resembles Democracy,unelected Constables as States members, a Chief Minister elected by a few “yes men” cronies, what an apology for a Democracy, what a joke, only no one is laughing.

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3
Delta

August 2, 2011 at 1:15 pm

Well said Sir!

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4
joker

August 3, 2011 at 2:12 pm

Mona Lot #2

Stop moaning, start thinking.

Constables are not unelected as they are elected by their parishioners. If they stand unopposed that is not the fault of Jersey’s democratic system it is the fault of the Jersey people for showing little interest. Little political interest is often a sign of content regardless of the protests and petitions which have always represented a minority.

Admittedly the constable and deputy electoral system is not ideal and is abused by some members (all in the States should be voted in Island wide) but it is designed so that people can stand to represent their parish and it is so far from dictatorship I think you need to look up the definition of the word or visit a country that is ruled under dictatorship. The people of Jersey have the opportunity stand but they’re either too lazy to do so or just enjoy moaning because few actually stand themselves.

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5
Gino Risoli

August 5, 2011 at 4:08 am

It matters not a jot what government we instal if it is not transparent and accountable. Nothing is more important than legislation to provide for cheque book accountability online, any other agenda is hot air.

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6
Mona Lot

August 7, 2011 at 9:45 am

4, Joker,
Not much to think about,Constables are elected by thier Parishioners to be the Consrable of their Parish, a job in it`s self
The are not elected to become States Members, and nor should they be.

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