CHIEF Minister Lyndon Trott will not deliver his ‘State of the States’ speech after the Policy Council bowed to pressure from backbenchers.
The speech, which was published in full in yesterday’s Guernsey Press and on This is Guernsey after it had been emailed to all deputies, sparked considerable disquiet from the majority of the Assembly, who wanted the concept thought through more.
A Policy Council spokesman said yesterday: ‘Following the publication of the statement in today’s Guernsey Press and quotes from it in other media, ministers were unanimous in their decision that they would no longer direct the chief minister to seek to read it in the Assembly this week. The Policy Council looks forward to meaningful dialogue with the States Assembly and Constitution Committee in the new year in connection with such statements and other matters.’
The committee wrote to the chief minister after the intention to deliver the speech was announced, calling for him not to give it.
Deputy Matt Fallaize then gathered the signatures of 24 deputies who backed the committee’s stance – at that stage another three ministers were also believed to have been against the speech being made. He welcomed yesterday’s announcement that it would not go ahead.
‘As one of 24 who signed the letter, I’m grateful that they have recognised the views of the majority of the States and I guess probably some of the more moderate voices around the table recognised the difficulty in proceeding in the way they intended,’ said Deputy Fallaize.
‘As a member of SACC, I look forward with working with the Policy Council to discuss the merits and otherwise of the address and the implications early in 2009.’
He said it had been an exercise in the need to respect consensus government and that ‘perhaps leadership is not the same as power at times’.
‘I think the Policy Council recognising the will of the majority of the States that further thought should be given before such a statement is made is a demonstration of leadership in a sense, but it’s regrettable it took so much time and effort to reach this stage and I hope lessons have been learnt for the future.’
The States, he said, was a debating chamber, not a forum for broadcasting a view.
Article posted on 9th December, 2008 - 1.00pm
8 Article Comments
Seems a rather pyrrhic victory, on behalf of the signatories.
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Quite the contrary.
The outcome was fully justified.
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Ade
Do tell us how you reach the conclusion the “outcome was fully justified”.
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Damn! I’ll have to admit to ignorance here. If a ‘pyrrhic victory’, what did the signatories lose?
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Now, hopefully, they can stop bickering and get on with some real work – or am i dreaming?
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A definite retrograde step by the States.
It emphasises the immaturity, lack of experience, and indeed common sense in the new too young States.
A Chief Minister should be expected to make a speech of this type. After all, it is the 21st. century and the full picture should be explained to the population.
If Guernsey wants to be recognised, by the world, as a competent jurisdiction things have to change.
Our Chief Minister, a true Guernseyman with the island’s interest at heart, is trying his best to modernise things. He should be permitted to do this without the un-necessary agressive tactics from other deputies.
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This news is gently pleasing, nothing more. My hope that this could lead to the introduction of Freedom of Information here in Guernsey is no doubt overly optimistic.
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BL Cumner
“Unnecessary aggressive tactics”!!!!
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