the process of reform moves more slowly in the Channel Islands but today - 4 July - the Reform Jersey party was registered in the Royal Court.
Apparently the first ever party to be officially recognised in this way although there were vaguely organised parties in the distant past and some more recent attempts - and of course there are dozens of quasi-political organisations in Jersey today that campaign for or promote policies on many overtly political issues....
The following 3 videos of about 7 minutes each were recorded today. They commence in the Royal Square under the gaze of the golden statue of King George II and the Royal coat of arms that decorated the Royal Court on 28 September 1769 - now remembered by some as "Jersey Reform Day"...when political views were presented in a memorably direct way.
Deputies Southern, Tadier, Le Cornu and Mezec - the founding fathers of the new Party - posed for a photo under the Royal gaze with several supporters. Three of the Deputies then entered the Royal Court (sitting in the States Chamber) for a simple registration ceremony before the Bailiff and two Jurats etc. along with other more usual Court matters such as the swearing of oaths by Parish officers and suchlike...
The accredited media is also seen interviewing Deputy Mezec with former States member Ted Vibert who was part of a previous, recent political party that existed and failed before the registration process existed...
The videos also feature Deputies Tadier, Mezec and Le Cornu in a three part interview...
1st Part follows below;
2nd Part;
Shortly after the Royal Court ceremony I bumped into two other Deputies - progressives by Jersey standards - in the Royal Square and asked if they might be joining the new Party.
The first thought it unlikely but he had not been invited.
The second, walking with his wife, was immediately and generously bombed by a pigeon - but nevertheless thought it unlikely too as he preferred to remain "independent"...whilst mopping up the excrement...
Anybody remember the late Mr Besson aka Bisson who used to hang around the Square some years ago feeding the birds in order to do just this very thing....I wonder if he was reincarnated as a pigeon...
