Party politics call attacked
Thursday 21st August 2008, 2:29PM BST.
SENATOR SYVRET. (0541379)
DEPUTY Dave Jones has hit back at a Jersey politician’s claim that the islands need party politics.
Senator Stuart Syvret has called for a new way of governing the islands. Blogging at vuedesisles.com, he said it was a myth that the islands have been ‘well governed in the absence of party politics’.
‘In truth, they’ve simply been used as pieces of money-making apparatus by our respective ruling elites.’ Senator Syvret went on to describe island politicians as having ‘as much competence as a blind alcoholic on crack at the controls of an A330 Airbus.’
Deputy Jones said Senator Syvret had claimed party politics would make the States more accountable, but pointed out that UK voters had been let down many times.
‘The Labour government is in power by a handful of votes,’ said Deputy Jones. ‘People did not even get to vote for their prime minister.
‘He was just so wrong about party politics. It is inherently dishonest. In the islands we are accountable individually – there is no comparison.
‘I think these are the utterings of a man who hasn’t managed to make the system work for him.’
Senator Syvret claimed Jersey and Guernsey people had been conned into believing party politics was bad.
It was unrealistic, he said, to believe that an assembly of random people would not form pacts and promote or slander each other.
Deputy Syvret believed that if the islands opted for party politics, people could vote knowing exactly what they would be getting. Should the party not honour its promises, it could be voted out at the next election.
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I think Stuart Syvret, whilst a little extreme, does have a point. It’s also prompted a pretty lame response from Deputy Jones – “it doesn’t work perfectly in the UK so can’t work here” – hardly a convincing argument.
I’m sure there are pros and cons to both methods but I think party politics is at least worth investigating on Guernsey. It raises the possibility of greater accountability to the electorate as well as a more decisive government – something many islanders crave.
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Can’t say I’ve ever seen. or read anything any good, from the Jones feller: he wishes to influence Guernsey with out-of-date politics from that other place.
He’ll never understand Guernsey people as long as he lives. Like most from his little world he thinks he knows it all.
however what I have noticed, by many non-Guernsey politicians (excuse the laugh) they do have a record; of running with the hare and hunting with the fox.
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It was hardly a ‘hit back’ from Dep Jones was it? The facts are that Jersey and Guernsey are run by closed circles of ‘senior officials’. There is no real democracy. Multiple votes at elections ensure that minority characters always have a chance of squeezing in to an over populated house. Manifestos are meaningless.
Under party politics the public would know for what type of vision they are agreeing to. Not this random “I have to use my Exes” system.
And what’s that about not voting for the Prime Minister? Last time I looked Trott and Flouquet managed to pinch the high profile jobs even though they were panned by the voters.
Unfortunately Dep Jones’ UKIP allegiances shine through too often and so makes his opposition to oppositional politics seem a bit bizarre.
Syvret has been proven right about the craven secrecy and high level obfuscations. Maybe we should pay more attention to someone who has seen the system and finds it rotten, rather than saying (another peculiar quote) “these are the utterings of a man who hasn’t managed to make the system work for him”.
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In the article David Jones says. “The Labour government is in power by a handful of votes”. Is the irony of that comment completley lost on Minister Jones. Can hardly say he had an island wide mandate for his position. Think before you speak Mr Jones.
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”greater accountability to the electorate as well as a more decisive government”
This is what people expect in 2008. Party politics with island wide voting would represent the actual voting preferences of the population. It would also give the government some form of direction and accountability rather than a rabble of various personalities and mandates muddling through with no party line.
The current situation is almost as absurd as the Mad Hatters Tea Party where those who shout loudest progress higher even if no-one really voted for them.
Mr Jones does not have a convincing arguement and its almost a Freudian slip that he thinks Mr Syret is bitter because he didn’t make the system work for him. Should the system work for you Mr Jones or the other way round?
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There is a very strong case for Island wide voting and more democracy. The present parish system does not give any real mandate.I agree with Syvret the whole system needs changing from top to bottom.
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Senator Syvret has made some valid points.
How many politicians who canvass in the local elections make promises, then get elected and dont keep their promises when it comes to the vote in the states.
Classic case `I am an avid recycler`, then the individual goes and votes for a Mass Burn incinerator.
How many politicians get back on the top bench as Ministers but came low down in the voting election poll.
How many write a manifesto but it actually does not make clear what they stand, for example, wishy washy unclear views on population and then reveal their true hand when they get elected. Even though they gave a different impression on the doorstep.
Lastly, how well read and informed are the civil service on current world wide trends with regard to population, agricultural land, growth, self sufficiency, future techonology, world wide economic trends?
For example a billet could be all out to push through Mass burn incineration but fails to give the ramifications with regard to the implication. It is up to the deputies to research disadvantages.
I would categorically say there are already to parties in the states of Guernsey now. One side for growth and population increases and one group for sustainability.
Would party politics shake the electorate up and wake up to current strategies for the island, yes it probably would because at least a voter would know what the individual was standing for with regard to how they want the island to look and be in say 10 years time.
With only 15,000 voters in the last election the public seem to have given up.
Island wide voting and a party system trial for four years – I dont think that is too much to ask in the 21st century.
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I agree with island wide voting. The Parish system is quaint but irrelevant, we’re voting for island wide politicians not Parish representatives.
Syvret is bang on with: “In truth, they’ve (Gsy & Jsy Sattes) are simply being used as pieces of money-making apparatus by our respective ruling elites.” Business interests have taken over the States instead of being ‘contained’ within the Commerce & Employment Dept (who actually only represent Banking and fails miserably to represent local businesses and its consumer role).
Dave Jones is bang on that Party Politics do not work. Parties hav ‘Whips’ to strangle MP’s individual and/or constituency views to “toe the Party line”.
Look at the Labour Party now. They narrowily avoided bankruptcy last month, they’re run public finances onto the verge of bankruptcy too and have repeatedly ignored the British electorate and renaged on their manifesto pledges on matters like the smoking ban and integration to the EEC.
Labours consistent contempt for democracy and listening to minority extremists instead of the liberal minded public hase left them losing their deposit and coming as low as 5th in by-elections to join the ranks of minority interest Parties which mirrors how they make policies.
Guernsey needs island wide voting. Simple as that.
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