Deputy calls for return to government by committee
Tuesday 16th December 2008, 2:29PM GMT.
THE legitimacy of the Policy Council and its ministers has been questioned after another deputy scrutinised the way the government operates.
Deputy Barry Brehaut (pictured) echoed Deputy John Gollop’s concerns over whether the current system with ministers forming a Policy Council is as effective as it could be or whether a return to the pre-2004 system was in order.
He said the titles of minister and chief minister were inappropriate, misleading and potentially detrimental.
‘A lot of us would favour a return to a presidents and committees system,’ he said. ‘It is a fundamental issue. We must be aware of our roles and our limitations and correct titles can help that, especially with regard to the way we are thought of outside the island.’
He said that when Guernsey politicians met those in the UK and used the title of minister they were liable to be misunderstood.
‘Why do we call them ministers when we do not have ministerial system? They do not have the authority UK ministers have and that must be clear,’ he said.
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So, some deputies want a return to the 2000-2004 system.
Does that include the return of douzaine reps?
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Morning Brian, nice to see you posting on here. I hope that one day Deputy Brehaut will actually think of something for himself rather than echo somone else’s idea.
I do not believe there is anything wrong with the titles of Minister and Chief Minister, and thoughout my travels and talks, no-one has said anything detrimental about it. I only ever here negative comments from some sitting States Members. Are they just envious as they do not hold the title?
If we think of the bigger picture, it would be detrimental to the Island if we were to take a political step backwards.
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Hello Grumpy.
You wrote, “it would be detrimental to the Island if we were to take a political step backwards.”
I remember a while ago conseillers were elected with an island wide vote. Today our ministers are selected from parochially elected deputies. That was a backward step that has been detrimental. Therefore to move to an island wide vote for ministers, conseillers or whatever they may prefer to be called would negate your statement. Personally I prefer the name conseiller as it is more fitting to our Norman roots, also the term minister smacks too much of party politics
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There is nothing wrong or untoward regarding echoing another deputies idea. Lets face the facts, if none did then the house would be full of lone voices.
Some would argue that there is nothing wrong with the titles of ministers and chief minister. However both titles are far more misleading than conseillers and presidents which were superceded to avoid confusion. Who exactly was confused? Outsiders that didn’t understand our constitution i’d guess, so an opportunity to engage other people in conversation was lost. Now our chief minister when asked if he’s in charge has to avoid the question or else face the embarrassment of admitting that he isn’t which makes a mockery of the word ‘chief’. Please let no one use this argument for more power to our ‘leader’.
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Common sense from a few deputies in a few days, it must be christmas.
Well done deputies Brehaut and Rihoy.
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Bryn
Also well done to Deputy Sirett for the temerity tof suggest that derelict greenhouse sites might be put to better use.
Sirett for Deputy Chief Minister !
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No elector has ever has the chance to elect a Minister or a President of a Committee, those positions have always been voted on by the elected representatives sitting in the States of Deliberation. If a return to island wide voting for a set of ‘super-deputies’ took place, then a third titled position would have to be introduced to differentiate those with island-wide support from those with executive powers and from those ordinary members just representing their consitiency. Is Brian ahead of the curve here?
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