Majority of deputies against chief minister making speech
Saturday 6th December 2008, 9:29AM GMT.
Chief Minister Lyndon Trott faces opposition from almost two-thirds of deputies to him making a State of the States-style speech.
The Policy Council is split, but a majority of ministers believe that Deputy Lyndon Trott should address the States outlining the goals for the next 12 months on Wednesday.
However, there is strong opposition from backbenchers.
A letter delivered to Deputy Trott by Deputy Matt Fallaize (pictured) yesterday contained 24 signatures backing the States Assembly and Constitution Committee calling for the plan to be scrapped at present for more consideration.
It is also believed that at least three ministers are against the speech and other members who would not sign the letter have told Deputy Trott personally that they think it should not go ahead.
‘There’s no provision in the rules of procedure for the chief minister or anybody else to make this kind of quite grand set-piece speech in the States,’ said Deputy Fallaize, a member of the Assembly committee.
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I think it is a good idea if the contents of the speech have been agreed by all members of the States, if for no other reason than it gives the electorate an opportunity to judge the States on actual performance prior to the naxt election. If on the other hand it is written by Lyndon Trott with no debate then I would be totally opposed to it as it would only represent his views and ambitions.
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He also faces opposition from 99% of the people. But still he manages to remain in power? I am gobsmacked as much as he is on all that matters. Unlike he is with retaining his position!
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Paul how can you possibly say that he faces opposition from 99% of the people ? On what basis do you reach that conclusion ? As I recall he got sufficient votes in St Sampsons to be re-elected as a Deputy and you cannot possibly conclude how the other 85% or so of the island’s population would have voted. His fellow deputies then voted him in as Chief Minister so he is clearly not without supporters.
Please don’t confuse supposition with fact.
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I( see to recall the Press conducting a survey on Island wide voting. This took place shortly after the April election. Deputy Trott was very near to the top of the list.
I would feel the Press survey to be more reliable than the 99% speculatibve figure provided by Paul, sans evidence.
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Was it the Press?
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Robert
I seem to recall reading it in the Press. Perhaps it was conducted by some firm or other.
The table and some of the positioning did surprise me. I wondered if it was becuase certain names were better known.
I think young Matt Fallaize didn’t do nearly so well in the survey as in the parish election. That also seemed to suggest the list was biased towards known names?
I’m sure Matt will correct if I am wrong
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Wild assertions like Paul’s are unhelpful to proper discussion, however, from anecdotal evidence it seems that the approval rating of Mr Trott has certainly declined since his election as deputy and then as CM.
This decline is not the consequence of his promoting unpopular policies but because of his behaviour in relation to fellow deputies and what that tells us about his character. We saw him threatening one who disagreed with him and supporting one whose behaviour was considered unsupportable by the majority of the population.
People in his position are often surrounded by a close circle of sycophants, it is vital that the people most able to influence him – especially his friends – should let him know what people are really thinking and saying about him.
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From the ‘election blog’ in April
“11pm – As the waiting goes on, here’s something to ponder.
Internet people Submarine have been asking people online to consider a virtual island-wide vote.
Those contacted were asked to select up to 20 candidates from the whole candidate cast list to give a flavour of what an island ballot might produce.
No, it’s not particularly scientific and the poll doesn’t claim to be representative – but it’s indicative.
So who is at the top?
John Gollop and Charles Parkinson in a tie.
Next up’s Geoff Mahy followed by Carla McNaulty Bauer.
The next is interesting: Treasury minister Lyndon Trott in fifth place.
Full details in tomorrow’s GP, but there will be some very pleased candidates indeed if these are reflected at district level.”
I wonder how many ‘online people’ they asked? 20 candidates?
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If Lyndon Trott’s speech printed in today’s Press is accurate then Matt Fallaize and his 23 co-signatories must be feeling very agrieved as there is nothing in the speech that gives any cause for concern. I didn’t realise that they were so petty minded.
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Brian Veillard
I think you are missing the point. There is a definite creeping campaign to get more power focussed into the Chief Minister role. Why else would he pass the speech on to his mates at the Press (and there’s you calling the States of Deliberation processes ‘petty’!)? It is designed for the public to accept that the CM should have a capacity to shape public opinion and policy direction. It is trying to sell us the idea of benign executive government.
Doubts about the individuals aside, should this be happening in the first eight months of a new term? Shouldn’t this be debated as part of an overhaul of the democratic system? Deputy Trott’s constant call for more power, judging by his reported track record, should be seen for what it is: a frustrated attempt to get his own way more often. That is not how Guernsey politics works at the moment, and so it should be resisted. Change the system by mutual consent and who knows? For now we must be applauding Deputy Fallaize as willing to be a focal point for ‘back bench’ dissent. Deputy Jones’ ridiculous ‘government by letter’ statement illustrates the divisive nature of those that surround Deputy Trott. I tell you what, ‘government by letter’ is better than ‘government by shouting’.
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