This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mann

DEPUTIES and former States members yesterday questioned the timing of Treasury minister Charles Parkinson’s announcement that he intends to quit the States at the end of this term, which still has three years left to run.

Other experienced members are likely to follow his decision not to stand again – Housing minister Dave Jones (pictured) is one who will be considering his own future carefully.

Deputy Parkinson’s announcement that he would leave for a mixture of personal and political reasons came after his department was soundly beaten over its plans to borrow £175m. to help fund the capital programme.

Last term, he quit as a member of Treasury after his alternative proposal to zero-10 was rejected.

‘I’m not overly surprised, but slightly surprised he’s chosen to announce it three years before the next election,’ said Deputy Matt Fallaize, who led the opposition to Treasury’s borrowing plans.

‘I have a lot of time for Deputy Parkinson; he’s done a lot of good and continues to during his time in the States, but nobody is indispensable.

‘The States has lost quite a lot of senior politicians over the last couple of elections, people with lots of years of service, and you sometimes think, “will the States go on?” – Roger Berry, John Langlois, Peter Roffey, Laurie Morgan – but you get a new generation of politicians coming through.’

He added that Deputy Parkinson had a big job ahead of him.

‘Hopefully he will return with sufficient enthusiasm to tackle those challenges during the rest of this term. I hope it’s unrelated to the events of last week, but I’m sure Deputy Parkinson realises that’s how politics is: sometimes you are on the winning side, sometimes on the losing and you take the rough with the smooth.’

Former Deputy Peter Roffey left it late in the term to announce he was leaving.

He said that if Deputy Parkinson’s announcement was a reaction to the debate that would be seen as petulant, but if it was just an answer given to a question after his decision had already been made, then that was being frank and forthright.

‘The danger is that it can distract from ploughing on with the job in hand. I knew in 2004 that I almost certainly would be standing down in 2008, but felt it was best not to mention in until just before the election.’

Housing minister Dave Jones said that Deputy Parkinson was more than competent for the task.

‘It’s clear to anyone that’s had any discussions with him that he’s a very able minister,’ said Deputy Jones.

‘I think the problem is that he’s had an unhappy time, certainly over zero-10 and then to lose this last debate, but I think that was due to Treasury’s failure to understand the abhorrence of Guernsey people to borrowing.’

Deputy Jones and others suggested that Deputy Parkinson might well change his mind in the run-up to the election.

‘There will be many of us that will be giving it serious thought. I will be one – I would have been in 12 years. When people indicate strongly they don’t want you any more then it’s time to go,’ said Deputy Jones.

‘I will be 60 in August – do you really want a House of 60-plus? You look around the chamber. I can easily predict there will be another massive turnover at the next election.’

Former politician Bob Chilcott said Deputy Parkinson’s announcement was not only very sad but a tremendous disappointment to the people of Guernsey.

He said the minister was one of seven or eight members of the States with any business or professional experience.

‘Sadly, the people of this island have got what they deserve and listening to last week’s debate, I am not surprised that Deputy Parkinson has come to this decision.’

Article posted on 1st July, 2009 - 11.30am