Cohen: Hate-mongers won’t stop me standing
Monday 5th September 2011, 1:29PM BST.
Senator Freddie Cohen is standing after all
AFTER weeks of speculation, Senator Freddie Cohen has announced that he will stand for re-election after all.
He says that he will not be intimidated by the ‘anonymous hate-mongers’ who threatened him and his family earlier this year in an anti-Semitic attack.
Senator Cohen (53) spent 5½ years as Environment Minister before stepping down from the role in the spring to focus on his new job as foreign minister.
On the eve of the deadline for candidates to put their name forward, he said: ‘I have worked very hard and delivered novel policies, ranging from Eco-Active and the Architecture Commission to agreement in principle on zero-ten, and I have a lot more to offer and want to give the electorate the opportunity to consider me.’
The Senator added that he would not be intimidated from standing after receiving anti-Semitic abuse and death threats earlier this year. Although a police investigation into the threats took place, no one was charged.
Full story in Monday’s JEP
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A long delay, a load of secret chats with his pals and then he makes the wrong decision. At least he is true to form.
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Oh good !
So the public do get a chance to pass opinion on his conically disastrous tenure of Planning
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Good decision, it will be great to see him humiliated.
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Does he want to continue ruining this Island?
Why does he wan’t to stand after just resigning?
There should be a rule to stop any-one standing again for the same position once they have left.
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Fantastic the cry baby is standing even though people have been picking on him and not saying he’s a really great guy.
At least we have the chance to prove to Senator Cohen that he has nothing to offer that we want.
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Hello? He said when he stood to Senator that he would only serve one term because his wife wouldn’t let him do more. He seems to now be playing the anti-semitic card to gain support for re-election having become an incredibly unpopular politician due to his planning policies. Sorry Freddie, you’re not getting my vote – you have done more to mess up the Jersey environment than any previous planning chief.
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How much did this investigation cost the tax payer?
This whole saga smacks of Cohen trying to get the sympathy vote at the ballot box.
Please can he stay away from politics and do the honourable thing and give up the role of Foreign Minister.
Jersey does not need a Foreign Minister!!
Jersey needs Ministers that are in touch with the people.
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quelle surprise!!
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Surprise Surprise, we all knew it was just smoke and mirrors. Another one who cannot live without his power over the public.
If anyone votes for him they need their head looking at !!
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I don’t think it’s just the hate mongers you should be worried about…
I think it’s probably the fact you have almost single handedly ruined our beautiful island with your choices of planning!!
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It’s not the hate-mongers….it’s the Island-lovers dismayed at the concrete monstrosities popping up like pustulating pimples that are disappointed in him.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE everyone, go & vote.
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This guy is a disgrace and ruining our Island. He hasn’t done anything worthwhile to give him any credit for.
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Bit cheap using the threats for emotional plus points in the election campaign. Probably wont help for a man who has ruined so many areas by passing out of place architecture and oh so many dandara projects. What a legacy. Hope he gets a knock down from the electorate.
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But your record might stop people from voting for you
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Exactly as predicted. Let us hope that the electorate are not soft-soaped again into voting for this pompous individual who believes his own publicity. Good bye time to welcome someone with some degree of pride.
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Hate -mongers..Perhaps not, but common sense should have stopped you.
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Great first we have Syvret complaining everyone is out to get him and now Cohen joins in. Paranoia is rife.
Both of you should just accept, we want capable representatives, not either of you.
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Freddie Cohen is standing for Senator,
Is it not lovely looking at the beautiful panoramic view, from this heady height that I sit.
Is it not a pleasure to shuffle in my life among the great the good and the important.
Is it not right that my experience and expertise in planning and iconic architecture be used by those that understand oh so little, let them go and just hold hands in the sand.
Now will I stay or will I go , will I stay or will I go, will I, I think I will stay.
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Shame on the people who wrote those hateful things and put you and your family in fear. Shame on you Senator for using it to your benefit.
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I’d rather have Freddie with his clean law abiding record than renegade like Syvret thank you very much!
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sorry freddie……
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Sadly, our political system makes it difficult to get shot of him.
We don’t have party politics, so we can’t vote for the alternative. We have a system that allows individuals to stand, and I’m afraid he has enough gravy train followers to have him re-elected. It’s difficult to successfully oppose him when there’s so many other options, our anti-Cohen votes will be spread too thin
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Cohen is in denial, his policy’s as planning minister and his ruination of Jerseys beauty in so many parts of the island is down to one man FREDDIE COHAN. He is a disgrace totally in thrall to the “Developers” pompous and full of self importance PLESAE DONT VOTE FOR HIM !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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If you agree that we need a Foreign Minister, which I believe we now do, vote for Philip Bailhache who represented the Island superbly when he was Bailiff.
Whatever you do don’t vote for Cohen who will go down in history as the despoiler of the Island.
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#16 – Pip – If my house had been raided by 10 police officers when normal procedure was a request by telephone to visit the police station, I’d be a bit paranoid, wouldn’t you?
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Freddie – Jersey’s Nightmare on Dutch Elm Street!
Thankfully there are at least four better candidates standing. I predict that Sir Philip Bailhache will top the poles, by a long way. Followed by Deputy Ian Gorst, Rose Colley, Darius Pearce and former Deputy Lyndon Farnham, just not necessarily in that order.
Hopefully, it will be a final goodbye to Freddie and the Foreign Minister post created especially for him by his buddies Ozouf & Le Sueur.
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I hope Ben Shenton reconsiders and decides to stand.
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He is not even a Jersey guy so what is he doing in our States anyway, let alone as a Foreign Minister and in the planning department. What a joke. More listed buildings have been built on since he has been in and its not right. Rules must be consistent. Most of them in the States are not Jersey, and have been brought up outside Jersey. We need proven Jersey born and bred people in our States, people who know our Island, their Parish and its people, members who actually do do something and vow to right the wrongs of all these disastrous people whom we have had the past few years who have done nothing make a mess of it all.
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So his resignation and then stating he is re standing was just for publicity! Typical.
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My vote is for Freddie Cohen!
There are 4 certainties in these senatorials and none have a criminal record!
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Rico and Charles, well said. He has ruined the Island in many ways. Its a case of ‘who you know’ in Jersey to get planning passed. As for a Foreign Minister, no, we do not need one. I hope the former bailiff takes over and shakes up the system. Personally, I will be voting for my parish candidate, a man with many years of experience who is not afraid to get things done.
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I hope he’s humiliated at the polls! He has left his ugly footprint all over this Island. Yet another example of a “UK immigrant” getting a seat in office and putting those with money before those who love this island. Ian Gorst is another example. Wouldn’t amount to anything if seeking political office in the home cities / counties. The fact that Cohen has started to use claims of an alleged anti semitic hate campaign for the sympathy vote makes him even less appealing. Freddie, hit the road.
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What a joke Cohen is. He has to ask his wife if he can stand for the states again!
Maybe he asked her about the disastrous planning decisions he has made at planning!
A pathetic politician at his worst.
VOTE HIM OUT
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One thing that we can guarantee is that with Phillip Bailhache, Stuart Syvret and Freddie Cohen standing the Senatorial hustings will be more than a little lively.
All three of them have large detractors and supporters clubs and two of them have a long history of conflict and view the other as out to destroy the island.
Prediction of the result is anyone’s game but I reckon the electorate might do a plague on both your houses and vote for the soggy centre, so hello to the policy free Colley, le Gresley, et al!
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Surprise Surprise!! He has had a few months swanning around the world at our expense as so-called Foreign Minister achieving very little but staying in some beautiful places and now he wants to stay! Well i never!!
He has messed up our Island enough and i just hope he is totally humiliated at the polls.
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On his election posters will it proclaim “Vote for Senator Dandara” ? I wonder how much of his fortune will he spend this time to buy his way into the States . Fred,do the honourable thing,walk away with a little bit of dignity before its too late,and take Phil with you.
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I am pro-Jewish and even pro-Israel, so will Freddie Cohen get my vote? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!
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Voted for him last time – won’t be this time
Remember Portelet!
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I’ve made it clear I think Cohen has failed miserably in his job and should either stand down or be defeated. But posts like Green Bean (34) cannot go unanswered. Anyone who thinks that business travel is about staying in beautiful places simply has never done business. It is about schlepping around airports at ungodly hours, spending hours in taxis and in awkward meetings in anonymous conference rooms, perhaps being given a quick hour long tour and then having a nice lunch somewhere expensive where you can neither drink nor concentrate on the food because you are having to talk to someone who you do not know and who is probably from another culture in the most stilted way imaginable.
If anyone thinks these “jollies” are a pleasure then they have never been on one.
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Go easy guys he is suffering from little big man syndrome.
Symptoms are – cant be trusted, a tendency to fib and delusional about ones self importance.
all through his term in the states he said he was only going to “do one term of office” then he said because of the spiteful name calling he would only do one term. Now all that has changed – why because shenton and perchard have pulled out of the running and he can see a little crack in the rock that he might slip through. Sorry this politician has a proven record of poor judgement and has a servere case of little big man syndrome. (symptoms listed above)
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This has nothing to do with antisemitism and everything to do with power and freddie cohen
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If Cohen reckons he’s such a good minister, why doesn’t he go back to the UK and try to get elected there? Oh yeah, that’s right, because he wouldn’t stand a chance of getting in government over there!! So instead of getting a normal job he decides to stay in Jersey and try to ruin our island for a bit longer! Thanks Cohen! With any luck however enough people will turn up to vote and he won’t get in again. Please make sure you vote, everyone!
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I am glad Cohen is standing again.
Not because I think he would do a great job, I don’t. I am glad because it will split the establishment vote a bit more.
I am also glad because it will give the public the chance to tell him definitively what we think of his past efforts
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So are the anti-Polish/Portugese/Scottish/British people in Jersey also ‘hate-mongers’?
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So what changed about the position of Foreign Minister, does that not need so much attention anymore?
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Save Jersey@42 – “Why doesn’t he go back to the UK?” “He decides to stay in Jersey…” He came here as a small child, fifty odd years ago! Are you completely thick?
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Its got nothing to do with anti-semitism but YOU as a person p!ss poor senator kow-towing to developers and big business.
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I don’t think he should be the face and the name to represent Jersey abroad.
Based on his amazing performances and the amount of supporters on this forum,I guess I am right.
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Sorry Blade (33) I fear you are too harsh.
Why not just let Freddie Cohen have a rest and time to reflect on Harcourt Developments and the new but stillborn St Helier Central Business District. At least Gerard Baudains did his homework.
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Well no surprises there then.
It will be interesting to see how the establishment figures perform against Stuart Syvret at the hustings. I will be expecting Stuart Syvret to shine against this lot.
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@Farmer Geddon – you are mistken I’m afraid, it is Cohen who is thick… you only have to take a trip to Portlet to find that out!
You can try and defend him all you like, but it doesn’t change the facts.
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Firstly, I am not Senator Cohen btw, and I dislike the man and his “accomplishments” during his failed years as Planning Idiot, but I regret to inform you that he will get back in as we don’t live in democracy (regardless of what the public think), as our voting system doesn’t work!
You heard it here first!
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#22 Beaumont
#52 fred
You’ve both hit the nail on the head.
I realise that Jersey has rejected party politics, that’s fine. However, our current system completely fails us, when we have an individual politician who 80% of the island despises, but 20% supports.
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Fred – you have made so many bad decisions, please move on. The problems with you guys is that you love the power, and you can’t give it up. Thats not healthy for the future of Jersey.
I hope the voters cast there vote for new candidates as we desperately need a shake up.
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Fred@52
Only vote for those that you really want to represent you. Many politicians have got into office because a spare couple of Xs were placed in a box by voters wanting to use their X’s just to use them up allowing losers to just win by a few votes because their name is familier.
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davey west telling people not to vote for four candidates i can only assume you want stuart syvret to get in. you can be sure that his supporters will vote for him and only him so i would say to every voter who does not want him to get back into goverment to use all your votes.
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Just when we thought he had gone away. Look out voters.
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52 Fred your right.
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55 Davey west how very right you are encouraging folks to only vote for the ones they really want stops casual votes getting those you dont want back almost by default so well said
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The pen IS truly mightier than the sword or any other weapon…if you want a better Jersey, then vote for it. Speak to your family, friends & those you work with and engage them. Get them to think about what they truly want and this time, when the line up of politicians is revealed it will be a true representation of what the people want & need.
The last elections had very disappointing turnout figures and those who do not vote should be ashamed of themselves everytime they complain about things in Jersey. The only way to change things is to wield the pen and vote with your conscience and a view to a whole island perspective.
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NO,NO,NO Enough of this Planning Idiot who has ruined this island.Bring back Syvret.
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Save Jersey@51 – Perhaps you could point to where on my post I defended Cohen?
Here’s a clue… I didn’t. I commented on your lunatic assertion that he shouldn’t be allowed to stand because he’s only been here 50 years after arriving in the Island as a toddler. My original comment stands.
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50. Adrian and 61 Helana,
I’m sorry but Syvret hasn’t got a hope of getting re-elected. His creditability as a states member, and even as a decent human being, has been long gone.
I think he has now upset far too many people to be a serious contender.
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I doubt I will vote in the election but if I did I would be voting on the basis of stopping people getting in rather than positiviely wanting anyone to get in.
Is there one candidate with vision? No. So much as some posters tell us about how we should vote to get the politicians we want and need, there is not one candidate standing who fits the mould and you’d be better off saving your time. We will end up with a bitter, disfunctional States chamber with an incompetent council of ministers and a destructive self-serving opposition.
Sorry to tell it like it is.
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@Farmer Geddon – read my post again, I never said that he shouldn’t be allowed to stand. I merely suggested that he woundn’t stand for minister in the country he was born in because he would never get in – they actually have candidates that have a clue what they are doing!
This message system isn’t designed to pick pathetic faults with peoples comments and insult people by calling them ‘thick’ – I’d like to see you say that to my face!
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I will deliver your Daily Mail straight away, Tami, #20.
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#63 As someone who was prepared to sacrifice a potentially easy and prosperous political career in order to stand up and fight on behalf of victims of child abuse, Stuart Syvret qualifies in my eyes as a decent human being, and will be getting mine and my family’s vote
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Another criticism is that key Senators that could shape the next administration like Phillip Ozouf, Ian le Marquand and Paul Routier are not standing.
This is a do nothing election that will only result in three years of the same.
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@64 I partly agree, but there is one candidate with vision…Darius Pearce.
All the rest are tell us what we should think (and I mean the Ozouf party and the Southern party equally), only he has the slightest interest in what we think.
He intends to actually represent the people, finally someone who will actually do the job that States Members are supposed to.
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Personally I think it’s preposterous that Philip Bailhache could potentially be debating in the States with his brother sitting there as the referee.
It’s akin to Alex Ferguson’s brother refereeing a match between Manchester United and Manchester City.
Even if he does call everything right the suspicion will always be that there is favoritism.
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Freddie Cohen has done a reasonable job at planning, in what is a poisened chalice of a job. i meen i think the development at Porterlet is awful as well.However i thing it is a disgrace that he has been receiving racist abuse and Jersey people should no better.I am ashamed to be a Jerseyman when i hear of such things.
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Me thinks we will have to organise a march or sitin in the square, if the slippery one gets in, we must not let him anywhere near any State department ever again.I think his swanning around as Foreign( whats it),will come to haunt us in the coming months. god knows what he has signed on our behalf
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67 Gary. I concur with your point Stuart Syvret stood up for what he thought was right. It may not always have been in the best way, but he has my vote also.
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People seem to forget that for at least 18 years Stuart Syvret was the best politician this island has seen for years, if not of all time. He always topped the polls because people liked his no-quarter approach to politics. He was the best researched and the best speaker in the house.
He constantly ruffled the feathers of the cosy establishment and any democratic system needs effective opposition or it becomes a one party state who can do pretty much what they want.
I agree that he has gone somewhat off the radar over the last couple of years but who wouldn’t under the pressure he has been under?
I believe that he is worth one last punt in the hope that the old focused and sharp Syvret returns.
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I think it is time to stop bashing Freddie and turn our attention to the other candidates.
I am a suit, and work as a suit professional.
There are plenty of suit candidates wanting our vote, influential and important business people.
I am not comfortable anymore with suits looking at the poor and amateur management of Jersey at this time. More suits will only increase the club.
Common-sense, a love for Jersey, honesty, humility and intelligence will now be enough.
We have the suits already and an army of consultants, and Jersey is losing it’s soul and wealth.
Tim South.
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63.
Do you want a tenner on it.
Syvret will win by a mile because the people of Jersey are fed up with most of the States members who who have totally ignored what the people want and are still throwing money around like kids in a sweet shop.
Syvret will not be pushed around by the bully boys.
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Funnily enough, I saw Stuart Syvret going into El Tico, which presumably means that he approves of some of Freddie Cohen’s planning decisions. Planning has always been a poisoned chalice, and as someone who has visited Portelet bay, it is better than what was there before – so not too bad Freddie in the circumstances. There is another house outside of the development at Portelet that could do with a visit from a bulldozer though ……..
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I agree with #75.
We need a Forrest Gump in Jersey politics…bringing honesty,simplicity, truth, transparency, a heart-felt love of Jersey as an island.
Back to basics.
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76 SG
Syvret will not win by a mile. Personally, I hope he gets in though and I will be voting for him. Big questions will Colley gets woman’s note and will that scupper Cohen.
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Claude (#74) you’ve hit the nail on the head in saying that “any democratic system needs effective opposition” and Jersey definitely needs an enhanced process for challenging and scrutinising ministerial/COM actions. But in their general disregard for the anti-establishment JDA party initiative, Jersey voters have indicated that they don’t see party politics as being effective on a small island like this. And would Syvret, as a largely isolated figure in the States, offer any real hope of effective opposition when he’s proved himself unwilling and unable to work with others or compromise, essential skills for effective politicians who make a difference and get things done. WHAT HAS HE ACTUALLY ACHIEVED?Sticking to your principles is generally admirable, but doing it in imtemperate terms which alien others won’t get you anywhere.
There are some other good and intelligent new candidates standing for Senator or Deputy. I think credible and constructive new people, untainted by the poisonous debate of recent years, are more likely to win the ears and influence those already in post, leading to a greater chance of change in the right direction (in the interests if the population), rather than an even greater split between those in ministerial positions/COM (and unwilling to embrace the views of other members they clearly don’t respect) and those not in ministerial positions/COM, who, in recent years, have appeared to offer little in the way of constructive criticism and sound strategy alternatives but plenty by way of bile.
More, not less, tolerance and respect is needed in the Chamber. Syvret can’t deliver on that.
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I like Freddie, Jersey gets the people it deserves, you (Jersey) voted him in and I will be voting for him as I am also an honorary bean, now that I have ….”me qualies ma lav’”
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“Big questions will Colley gets woman’s note and will that scupper Cohen.”
That, on so many levels, is a bizarre question.
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Really you don’t want someone who has a diagnosed mental health problem making important decisions for the electorate and the Island- or did Stuart use this as a ploy to mitigate his defence?
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I wouldn’t vote for anyone with a conviction so that is no.69′s favourite “Darius” and “Syvret” despatched.
Cohen I suspect is trying a sympathy vote and I hate it when someone feels intellectually superior and presumes the punter is thick – so that’s another one biting the dust.
Will watch, read, learn and listen over the next few weeks.
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Sage Syvret has acted as a counter balance to the establishment and has support amount those outside of finance and big business.
The CoM do not listen to the majority in Jersey and pander to the rich and big business. They also make a mess of anything they touch. It is for this reason that more and more people are sick and tired of those running the show.
Jersey is a shambles as far as I am concerned and it is sinking a bit further into the mire every day.
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“Sage
Posted September 8, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Claude (#74) you’ve hit the nail on the head in saying that “any democratic system needs effective opposition” and Jersey definitely needs an enhanced process for challenging and scrutinising ministerial/COM actions. But in their general disregard for the anti-establishment JDA party initiative, Jersey voters have indicated that they don’t see party politics as being effective on a small island like this.”
You argument is fundamentally flawed.
What you’re basically saying is “nobody voted for the JDA, therefore nobody wants party politics”.
In actuality people disregard the JDA because they have no interest in the JDA. It has nothing to do with their overall desire (or lack thereof) for a party political system.
The “enhanced process” you seek to effectively “challenge and scrutinse” Ministerial/COM actions IS a party political system, because such a system places the burden of accountabilty for the actions of the individual upon party as a whole.
If one or two people foul-up enough in the name of the party, EVERYONE in the party might find themselves out of a job at the subsequent election.
Le Sueur, Ozouf, Maclean etc are perfectly positioned to create a political party of their own. That would be the impetus for others to begin creating their own parties of opposition. Which is why Le Seuer, Ozouf, Maclean etc will never initiate party politics.
Instead the likes of the JDA are left to flounder themselves into insignificance punching at what to all intents and purposes is an invisible enemy, a collective of non-party aligned individuals.
As a consequence of which the JDA are a convenient tool for people like yourself to use as a misguided/misguiding example of why party politics will never work in Jersey or why it’s not wanted by the people of Jersey
If we had party politics on both sides of the political divide I would bet hard cash a large percentage of the 60% of islanders who do not currently vote would re-engage themselves in the election process.
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This criminal record argument is lame.
Syvret got his record trying to protect the public he serves.
Nelson Mandela was an outright terrorist and became president of his country, and everybody thinks he’s an outstanding chap (myself included).
I think it’s the kind of criminal record you have and actions behind it that are important in judging a persons character.
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Will Styvret get in. Will Dandard go bust. Will Jock and Snopwy escape froom the madman’s underground lair.
Who cares
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Syvret won’t get in because everyone knows the only thing he cares about is the fantasy life he plays out in his blog. It is a pity, because he is not stupid. However, one of the most important skills in life is to know when to shut up, not necessarily because you are wrong but because it only damages you to continue fighting an argument. Anyone in business has learned this skill in the boardroom. Unfortunately, SS has never had been in an environment that has taught him the self-control necessary to be effective.
Cohen won’t get in because even the majority of his natural supporters – and I speak to many of them – think he has been an appalling planning minister. If he has lost the business vote – which I think he has – he won’t get in.
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As a half Jewish person I hope these people who attack Freddie Cohen and his family in a cowardly under hand way can sleep at night, I really do, and looking at some of the comments on here I would not be surprised if some of those cowards the Police are trying to trace are here present on this thread. Good luck Senator Cohen you have our support.
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Sadly Darren that just about sums it up.
Most people do not care and most members of the States do not seem to care that the majority of the electorate does not give a monkeys.
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The island needs people who can stand up to others and Syvret does this well.He gives 100% which is a lot more than most people, and puts everything on the line for Jersey, including his personal finances and relationships.
I agree, he has made many errors, but these wrong decisions were nowhere near as costly as the appalling errors made by some our our current ministers – and they still have jobs, which is unbelievable.
I think he deserves another chance, and lets face it politics is more interesting with him around!
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@84 Get over yourself.
I suppose you think that no one ever breaks the law?
Have you ever broken the law? I take it that is a yes. My point – you are a hypocrite.
Not filling in a form properly is hardly a sign of a person without morals…
Murderer, rapist then I think your argument holds up… but get real.
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I do hope that as our voting forms are numbered so that who votes for whom can be traced, that the men who come round late at night with balaclavas and cricket bats to point out the error of one’s voting ways don’t do it after 11pm as I’ll be in bed trying to get some sleep for another day in the office. Thanks in advance.
Well, why else are they numbered then?
And one can only use pencils too? I’d like to see a bank accept a cheque written with a pencil as someone can commit fraud that way ….. you think …. nooo .. surely not … they wouldn’t …
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“As a half Jewish person I hope these people who attack Freddie Cohen and his family in a cowardly under hand way can sleep at night.”
I write under a pseudonym but I have not attacked Freddie Cohen in a cowardly or underhand way.
I have criticised him on his record as the Planning and Environment Minister which is in my view and a lot of people that I know appalling.
When he was elected he had the support of a lot of islanders, particularly within the business community.
As far as I can see he has lost that completely and he may be worth a punt as the winner of the wooden spoon on polling day.
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Pip,
Stop sharing my views on things or Adrian will accuse us of being the same person.
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95 Pip, reading above, I am not sure that 90 JM was singling you out, but I would like to know what planning decisions you are talking about. if it is Portelet, you have got to remember that it is not within Freddie Cohen’s gift to give it back to nature. The JEP has had quite a hand in the opposition to him over the last few years – and one never quite knows whether the voice of the public is leading the JEP or Vice versa. It looks as though there are some quite powerful purist interest groups opposed to him, and these are full of the affluent arts community. Some of their thoughts are lovely, but unrealistic. Who would not want to live in a nice granite farm where all you could see is a jersey cow? where does everyine else live. Most of us jsut dream.
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Shank (#86)
Good post and actually I’m inclined to agree with you – to a point.
What would the party lines be?
The “establishment” grouping you’ve described would presumably advocate a continuation of their current course: 0/10, or similar, to preserve internationally derived revenue, with a balance of cost cutting and GST, or similar, to fill shortfalls caused by the shift to 0/10.
What ground would a “credible” alternative party claim?
Perhaps more pressure on cost cutting and a reduction/removal of GST, but that’s likely to give rise to public sector job cutting and unrest. Perhaps a push to dip into strategic reserves so as to do away with GST and preserve public sector jobs, but doesn’t that go against the lessons learnt by the suffering developed economies around us, currently struggling with large deficits?
There are plenty of “non-credible” and populist alternatives out there which fail to recognise the complexities of the fiscal/financial balancing act the Island has to perform in staying healthily solvent and which would beggar the Island in the pursuit of a socialist idyll, but (perhaps unwittingly) the cost for “middle Jersey” and, ultimately, for the Island’s worst-off, would be catastrophic.
What are your thoughts Shank?
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Cindy @84 James is correct. You are an absolute hypocrite.
I feel confident in saying that every adult on this island has probably broken a law, be it going 1 mph over the speed limit, dropping litter, getting a bit tipsy and singing or dancing on a Sunday (in the old days).
It is simply a matter of chance whether your indiscretion is spotted by an official who is avaliable and willing to do something about it.
Syvret will get my vote, particularly because I am disgusted at the smear campaign being run against him by the media.
Sage 80. You ask WHAT HAS HE ACTUALLY ACHIEVED?
Your question reveals your complete lack of political knowledge over the last 20 odd years. He has acheived a lot – otherwise he would not have constantly topped the polls over the years.
Do some research and stop embarrasing yourself.
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scrutineer
the problem is that Freddie’s developments have all been ugly and second rate and there are a number of them – the development in Portelet, the modern monstrosity at Le Saie, the thing being built at Wolf’s Caves – that have permanently defaced the coastline. He may talk of “iconic” buildings but the truth is that he has not approved a single building that is either iconic or in keeping with the vernacular. Everything he has approved is uninspired.
As others have said, Freddie seems to be willing to accommodate whatever developers want while placing big obstacles in the way of people trying to build extensions to their own houses.
In the end, he is perceived as being a rich boy who is very close to developers and who has placed the short term financial interests of developers above the long term interests of the community. How’s that for starters?
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Flymo
You forgot to say that, when voting in Jersey, you do not require ID!!! As my neighbour and a few friends do not intend to vote, I may just do it for them!!!!As a French/British citizen and having voted in both countries, I am still shocked after 34 years in Jersey, by the lack of security. It is something you could find in a third world country! But again I doubt it.
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No Fred #99, I think I know my stuff.
You tell me, what has he achieved – not what he has DONE (we all know that) – what has he ACHIEVED (for the benefit of the wider population)?
Bullet points only required.
In response I’ll list the damage he’s already done and the risks his re-appearance in the States chamber in October will create for the Island’s prosperity as a whole.
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I should add that I voted for Syvret two elections ago on the basis that he seemed an intelligent man, with sound Green credentials, who could keep the worst “establishment” excesses in check. Boy oh boy has he disappointed me. Ego and bile over sensible compromise and substance.
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To be fair Sage what do any of them actually ‘achieve’? Pick any one of them and try to bullet point their ‘achievments’.
I thnk what Fred #99 is saying is that if Syvret had been a complete tosser for 18 years or so then why did he keep topping the polls? The election results over the years speak for themselves. No?
For me, I always voted for him because he was, in my opinion, probably the best politician the island has seen in living memory. Always very well researched and a fantastic speaker in the house. Never once did I ever form the impression that he was in it for anything but the public good.
Recently I agree he has, for various reasons – including self inflicted ones – lost a lot of respect in various quarters, however, if he could ever become the politician that he was formerly then he would be a great asset again.
The establishment party needs a thorn in its side to prevent it running away with itself. Syvret was just that. Exactly why they were desperate to get rid of him?
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Abazan,
I think you and I can agree on a fair amount.
In terms of “establishment” achievements, one could point to the fact that the Island’s finances (still running with an overall surplus), relative to other developed economies around us, are in pretty good shape all things considered. Painful and unpopular decisions have been made around areas like 0/10 and GST which some hate but some, like me, recognise as being necessary evils which have balanced the books. That said, there are plenty of areas (inflation, hidden taxes) which need careful examination and individual cases (Limes) where they haven’t covered themselves in glory, but in an increasingly turbulent world and an increasingly complex society, I think some of the politicians we have do OK. Would I be willing to do it for £40k pa and would I do it any better? No.
To Syvret:
A finance centre like Jersey needs to demonstrate political stability (relative to its competitors, of which there are many) in order to maintain its prosperity. This could yet prove key as the EU looks to implode.
“Clients” of the Island can move in the blink of an eye where they see a risk of upheaval. To my eyes, Syvret only has one agenda: to root out perceived corruption in the Jersey establishment. On paper that looks admirable but the local courts, backed by indepedent non-local judges, have already found no evidence of corruption nor of a concerted establishment vendetta against Syvret, albeit that they (correctly, I think) criticised the heavy-handed police tactics used against him.
My own view (and am happy to receive contrary evidence) is that Syvret is campaigning purely out of a desire for personal revenge and, now being unemployed, his being paid £40k a year to do so doing doesn’t hurt.
Will his manifesto hint at something more visionary and constructive?
I am not an out-and-out apologist for establishment politics. They make errors like the rest of us and I think we do need some right-minded and intelligent new politicians to start the vital work of testing the establishment but from the perspective of building a new concensus and sense of trust, respect and purpose in the States chamber, with politicians focussing on what’s right for the body of islanders as a whole. That, not personal crusades, might lead to political stability, greater and wider prosperity and more accountability.
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93 & 99
You are correct, I have driven 5 miles over the speed limit and danced on a Sunday (temps passe)
You both (if indeed there are two of you) post aggressive responses which are unnecessary. If you think my response is unnatural then you underestimate the public and writing in capital letters won’t change that.
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“Painful and unpopular decisions have been made around areas like 0/10 and GST which some hate but some, like me, recognise as being necessary evils which have balanced the books.”
That is not true, we are very far from balancing the books and the fact that the promised cuts are still looking very far from achievable looks like we will have to raise more taxes to get the books to balance.
I would guess that the next rise in GST will take us to 8%. cuts will be promised but not delivered and then GST will rise to 11% when the books will balance.
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Shank (86) If we had party politics on both sides of the political divide I would bet hard cash a large percentage of the 60% of islanders who do not currently vote would re-engage themselves in the election process.
Well said, I am with you on that, but we also need fewer politicians and more accountable politicians.
Sage (105) I agree, Syvret lost the plot and lost my vote. That said the ‘old boys club’ still exists and still do dirty deals. From there we are into the systematic debate as to whether a corrupt act is corruption? On that I do not look to Syvret for the answer, but the police.
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I feel that Syvret agenda IF he gets in, will be revenge against those he feels have done him wrong,I feel the man is obsessed with those he feels have wronged him, I think what happened to him was mostly his fault, we want people in the states who will work for the good of Jersey, not live in the past ,but will look to the future!!
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@105 Sage, A fiscally responsible government does not allow government expenditure to grow faster than the corresponding growth in the real economy. That way the rate of taxation need never increase.
In 1980 effective taxation (income tax, social security and impots) was around 15p in a pound for an average person.
In 2012 it will be around 32.5p in a pound (for income tax, social security, impots, GST and a whole raft of user pays stealth taxes).
That is financial mismanagement.
They have even tried to create artificial growth in the economy by increasing the size of the public sector, actively encouraging immigration and by inflating house prices by underpinning property values with rent subsidies.
What is worse the resulting over-regulation caused by the growth of the public sector is now threatening the future of the finance industry and the rest of the real economy.
I’m sorry but in economic terms the ‘establishment’ has failed and badly.
@106 Cindy, Sorry if you think I was being aggressive, it was more disbelief… by all means if you don’t want to vote for Syvret don’t, I won’t be. But not for the reason that he didn’t fill in his form and was convicted of an offence, (I think it was a waste of my taxpayer money to bring the charge in the first place)- but because I think there are at least four people who will do the job better.
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(#100 DP) some people don’t see it quite like that. all the blockages to extensions appear to be the states officers. I would be surprised if Freddie Cohen got involved, but more likely dealt with the big problems – which is why planning is a poisoned chalice. I will have a look at the wolfs caves thing you mention. as I understand it, one cannot return some hideous 1960s stuff to agriculture or jsut nature. FC has serious history of community service, and i find it difficult to believe that he places developers interest above the island’s long term. I suspect that some developers have had to do some serious rethinking as a result of FC. perhaps we just beg to differ?
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@109 “living” In hope
I don’t think that Syvret believes in revenge.
There was a vote in the House just after he and Walker had had that spat and Syvret voted with Walker’s proposition. Much to most people’s amazement but proof that what is right transcends any political squabbles.
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Why the heck is a thread about Freddie Cohen turned into another load of cobblers about Stuart Syvret? If people cannot take these elections seriously than this Island will go down the pan.
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Should this guy get in again and want to represent us all as Foreign Minister, can we at least ensure he represents us in all jurisdictions? not much point in paying him to do half a job!
Last time he was garlanded in flowers on the ill fated trip to India, he appeared to fly straight back, missing the Middle East stop out.
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Cohen and fellow candidate Chris Whitworth were guests on an election phone-in show between 9-10am on BBC Radio Jersey today.
I phoned in with my own question: do the candidates approve of the official trade visit to Israel this year by ministers COHEN and Maclean, given that in a 3-week period in January 2009, the Israel Defence Force killed 1,434 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, of which 288 were children and 121 were women?
Absolutely no surprises when I tell you I never got on air and the question was not even put to the candidates. However, Auntie Beeb DID find time to ask some much more important questions raised by callers. Example: Should politicians have to take regular lie-detector tests?
Most of the hour-long discussion was just meaningless flim-flam and the long discussion on planning matters obviously played right into Cohen’s hands as that is his speciality subject and he therefore has greater knowledge in that area than most people and can therefore defend himself more than compentently.
I am afraid this whole election process is a complete sham designed to keep the REAL and IMPORTANT issues from even being raised. I cannot blame islanders for claiming that the elections will change nothing because in policy terms at least, they are right. The only difference we can make is to slightly change the composition of individual personalities in the Assembly, who will then go on to implement the SAME policies as before.
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Taxpayer@114
Good point well made,it is a real shame that we have someone appointed as Minister for Foreign Affairs,who will not be welcomed in the countries that are the wealthiest and,potentially,most attractive investors in the world.Another own goal by Terry and very adeptly brushed under the carpet by our local”investagative”reporters.
For the keyboard warriors out there this is not intended to be a discriminatery post,just a statement of fact.
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I don,t care if Cohen is a Jew a Martian or even an Alien, all I ask is people who are going to represent us ,have the well being of Jersey at heart ,and I am not really convinced that Mr Cohen does. When he sits at home looking over his papers, does he think what will benefit Jersey??,
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Jerry @ 115
No way the radio would allow that sort of question, they like a nice caaaaalm programme with no possible danger of anyone being even slightly offended. You should have just told their receptionist that you wanted to place some mundane question, then fired into them once you got on air.
I for one would have loved to have heard that; can just imagine Cohen et al squirming as they trie desperately to consider an answer to the unanswerable.
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Tobias- great advice and I know that is what I should have done to get on the air. It’s my own fault. I should have thought up a ‘trojan horse’ question about putting speed bumps on St Clements Coast Road or that perennial old favourite- free sandwiches and blackberries for States Members. That would have got me to the front of the queue in no time, lol.
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The local media does quite a good job of shielding the politicians from the public. Interviewers only ever ask suitable questions as well and the more establishment the politician the more fawning the journalist becomes.
This is why Frank Walker did so badly when faced with Jeremy Paxman, a real journalist that actually asked real questions.
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