Thursday, December 8, 2016

REFORM JERSEY - Is the party over - or just beginning?

Part One above
 












                                                        Part two above

Part three above



I posted a three part video on 4 July 2014 – the day that the Reform Jersey Party was registered in the Royal Court.
Then the party had four elected Deputies – it now has just three following the demise of Nick Le Cornu.
Deputies Tadier and Mezec appeared with Nick on the interview - but Deputy Geoff Southern did not.

Since then, the Reform Party has put forward other candidates for election including Ann Southern, Shannen Kerrigen, Beatrice Poree, Debbie Hardisty, Mary Ayling Phillip and Laura Millen - none have been successful.

But what has happened to their political ambitions?

Generally speaking, in other places, unsuccessful candidates carry on campaigning to build up their own political profiles, gain experience of public speaking and knowledge of issues – besides promoting and building-up the party. But not so it seems in Jersey.

Also absent from Reform Jersey are the like-minded retired politicians who might want to offer their knowledge and support. The likes of Roy Le Herissier, Rob Duhamel, Wendy Kinnard and Alan Breckon could have a useful “elder statesmen” role and put their specialist expertise and knowledge to very good occasional use if they were so inclined – and made welcome.

Have they been invited?

Presumably approaches have been made to such retired politicians - as well as the likes of John Young and others who retain obvious political ambitions.

Similarly there are many existing “liberal” members of the States who could usefully join with an established party such as Reform.

Have Deputies Vallois, Higgins, Martin, Macon, Doublet and Labey x2 refused to join or to give visible public support on key issues?

And where are the “shadow” ministers to speak out for Reform with consistent and agreed policies to counter those of the “establishment”? Why does Deputy Southern not speak on Social Security matters, or Deputy Tadier on Housing or Deputy Mezec on Education?
Could not somebody such as Deputy Vallois be persuaded to speak on Finance matters etc?

Of course, Reform could just as well have “shadow speakers” who are not elected members of the States but who are competent to research and explain issues and to formulate alternative policies.

There are many lobbyists in Jersey - especially on “green issues” who could be much more effective if their efforts were channeled through or in conjunction with Reform or other groupings

Election to the States is not a private business activity. It is supposed to be motivated from public spirited motives which ultimately depend upon gaining a majority of the votes cast in the States Assembly.

For too long the Jersey “establishment” has effectively been beyond challenge.
It was never so “all powerful” - not since the 18th century - and it is obvious that a bunch of “independent” well meaning but disorganized individuals cannot divert its intended path or policies.

Extraordinarily, it is doubtful if the elected government of Jersey has ever been so unpopular with the people yet it remains so difficult to replace it through the ballot box, to out-vote its policies in the States or even engage it in a meaningful dialogue.

The next Jersey General Election will be upon us in the spring of 2018 but there is no evidence of an effective opposition being formed or that the Reform Party might yet blossom into a more effective political grouping.

Following Donald Trump and the antics of the Tory and Labour Parties after the UKIP inspired EU Referendum plus the huge uncertainties of a post BREXIT world – it is not easy to image what an “effective political grouping” might look like or how any “party” might be managed in Jersey.

But there is no shortage of political talent in Jersey.

The “establishment” certainly has no great problem in drawing out political support through the various business organizations, the wealthy, the media, professionals, social and faith networks and such like

The “opposition” too has many potential assets and talented people to draw upon, but unfortunately, has historically always attracted too many prima donnas.

Whether Reform can change sufficiently over the next few months to become an effective political force based upon democratic principles, with popular support, I do not know.

There have been many failed attempts to form a “democratic opposition” in Jersey since the Liberation and that is a far cry from aspiring to be the government.

Unfortunately, it is not clear to me what the specific aspirations of Refom might now be but I hope that there might be a clearer plan published soon.



















9 comments:

  1. Very interesting and some great suggestions.

    "Also absent from Reform Jersey are the like-minded retired politicians who might want to offer their knowledge and support. The likes of Roy Le Herissier, Rob Duhamel, Wendy Kinnard and Alan Breckon could have a useful “elder statesmen” role and put their specialist expertise and knowledge to very good occasional use if they were so inclined – and made welcome."

    "Have Deputies Vallois, Higgins, Martin, Macon, Doublet and Labey x2 refused to join or to give visible public support on key issues?"

    It all sounds so easy, so logical ......but let's flip it for a moment:


    Why have you not joined or formed a close alignment, Mr Dun?

    If the compromises were too great for you surely they are even larger for most of the people you mention?

    Does not mean that you are not talking sense though.


    What stuns me about Jersey is that so many people in vote for child abuse and cover up.
    They would rationalise that they are not doing this. but take the clothes off the emperors and that is what you see.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is the worst States Assembly of all time. May 2018 should offer the best opportunity for 70 years to make serious inroads to restoring democracy. But will it?

    I would suggest that all of the political figures outside of Reform you ask questions about, bar Deputy Higgins are absolute political cowards.

    Which raises the question why would the party want A Deputy Vallois or Deputy Macon? A couple of more crave poodles it would be difficult to find outside of the ranks of Assistant Ministers.

    What Reform desperately do need is to attract a couple of people who though out of politics currently are still seen as big hitters. But can they do it. If not why?

    Is Deputy Mezec too my way or the high way?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We need to lure Daniel Wimberley back even though he was Green first Lefty second

      Delete
    2. Totally agree. Dan Wimberley was an excellent politician. get him back, Trevor and Shona Pitman and Rob Duhammel and we can double the States collective IQ in one swoop.

      Delete
    3. I agree. These are good examples of people who really are missed. Primarily because whatever their ideology differences they were people who were intelligent and cared about people.

      So here we have four names who could and definitely would improve matters if back in the States. There must surely be more?

      I admit I have no idea if the above people would even want to stand again. If they have been observing the depth of the self-created mess Jersey is in they may well not.

      But as to other good and capable people who might bolster the talent pool come the next election who else can your readers suggest? I'll say it again. They must exist.

      Delete
    4. Trevor and Shona Pitman should be convinced to stand again considering they didn't lose their seats through the ballot box rather a corrupt Royal court. Shona Pitman's replacement was Sam Mezec and I can tell you one thing for certain - Shona Pitman would never have got into bed with Andrew Lewis like Sam Mezec has.

      Delete
    5. Sam mezec has sold out as he sees he's long term future in the states so he's starting to get into bed with the establishment that way he thinks he will keep he's seat.

      Delete