No mandate and not expected – no wonder De Lisle is not going to Iceland
Tuesday 4th August 2009, 2:00PM BST.
GUERNSEY’S Chief Minister has refused to allow another deputy to join him on a trip to Iceland to discuss the Landsbanki Guernsey situation.
Deputy David De Lisle said his offer had been declined despite him being prepared to pay his own way.
After putting questions to Chief Minister Lyndon Trott at Wednesday’s States meeting, Deputy De Lisle said he had asked him if he could join the delegation.
Deputy Trott told him he would have to speak to the Policy Council first.
‘He got back to me on Saturday to say it wouldn’t be possible as the Icelandic Government did not expect, or agree to, a wider delegation,’ said Deputy De Lisle yesterday.
‘Also, that I had no mandate from the States to attend as I’m not on the Policy Council or a member of the external relations group.
‘I thought that having an independent viewpoint would have been a win-win all round. It was something that the Landsbanki Guernsey Depositors’ Action Group wanted and it would have given greater transparency to the chief minister.’
In a letter to all States members the action group expressed frustration.
‘The LGDAG are extremely disappointed with this ongoing attitude, totally lacking in transparency and feel that, should there not be an independent capability in assessing the outcome of this visit, then it will be a total waste of taxpayers’ money.
- To read Guernsey Press stories in full click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
Campaigns
Voice For Victims
Voice for Victims is a campaign aimed at promoting the rights of those affected by child sexual abuse.
This is Guernsey
Guernsey Press
Maybe it’s because Trott sees De Lisle as massively incompetent
Report abuse
Now who was it in ancient times spoke out in desperation; Or was it like now
I’m King of the Castle, when they said
Is there on one can rid me of this–(fill your thoughts)
Report abuse
Reading all the story about Landsbanki Guernsey
makes ome wonder: what is hidden behind all this dark secrets… Has the Goverment something serious to hide?!
Undoubtedly so.
Personally, I would not advise anybody to keep a deposite in any Guernsey based Bank, even if they would offer 15% interest.
JKay
Report abuse
It does make one wonder: what is hidden behind this dark secrets. Personally, I would not deposit
any funds in such a juristiction, even at the rate of 15%
JKay
Report abuse
What breathtakingly incredulous nonsense Mr Trott trots out (no pun intended).
Does he really think that everyone is so gullible?
Mr Trott told Mr De Lisle that it wouldn’t be possible for him to accompany him to Iceland “as the Icelandic Government did not expect, or agree to, a wider delegation”.
One phone call to Iceland would undoubtedly have secured the Icelandic Government’s agreement to a 2nd person attending the meeting. After all, how often, if ever, do senior Government figures attend meetings with overseas Government officials alone.
Also when did two people become a “delegation”.
Next time Mr Trott books a table in a restaurant for two people no doubt he’ll book “For a delegation”!
What exactly is Mr Trott afraid of that he has to have no witnesses to his discussions with the Icelandic Government? Who is going to take the minutes of the meeting which must be made publicly available.
What happened to openness and transparency Mr Trott?
Report abuse
Transcript from States meeting 29 July 2009:
CHIEF MINISTER:” finally sir, finally that leaves me to advise the assembly, that next week, in the company of senior officials, I shall be travelling to Iceland to meet with representatives of the Icelandic Government for the very purpose of exploring the matters of interest further and Sir it is against that background that I do not propose to answer any further supplementary questions at this time.”
Senior officials means more than one apart from him, it would appear the only he and the Chief Executive are attending.
“Exploring the matters of interest further”, no mention of Landsbanki Guernsey.
No witnesses, I suggest that the Chief Minister can feed Guernsey with whatever he wants on his return and we will be none the wiser.
Why does he play these silly games with Guernsey’s population, even more importantly his own Deputies?
Report abuse
Judging by some of De Lisle’s long winded monotone speeches in States debates I reckon Lyndon was afraid he would put the Icelanders to sleep
Report abuse
If De Lisle has LBG depositors in his parish, then asking to be an observer is justified. More damning is the fact that he feels he needs to. If our politicians are not trusting Trott (and those that are guiding him) to not make ‘Trottisms’, which have mainly been divisive whether you agree with him or not, then the whole set-up does not breed confidence.
But is that really a surprise?
A good piece of gamenmanship from De Lisle, but done with the right intentions of transparency and public accountability.
Report abuse
And Mr Trott thinks that he should have wider powers? Next time I get to vote, I will use it wisely for someone I can trust, someone I believe has integrity and most definately someone I honestly think will act in the best interested in the people of Guernsey.
Report abuse
Yesterday i saw the headline Trott gets surprise call up – thoughts of 2 years in Afghanistan and an interim leader who was mature and willing to act in a consensual manner flashed through my head – but to no avail – cricket only!
One must wonder why the Chief minister wants to travel to Iceland alone or at least with only sycophants accompanying him. an unbiased report to States will be the last thing on his mind – is he merely visiting to shake the new PM’s hand and tell her Guernsey will support Iceland in joining the EU? Who exactly is he meeting and to what end? Will we be any clearer to knowing if Landsbanki Guernsey was discussed and if the Chief Minister has secured a resolution when he returns – i think not another I have the Icelandic FM cell phone number in my pocket moment i fear – how do states members stomach it – nepotism or just plain laissez faire?
Report abuse
This proves YET AGAIN that Trott has something to hide ! I wouldn’t trust Geurnsey with any of my savings EVER again even if they offered 50% interest !!! The powers that be are hiding something and Trott is determined that he is going to prevent it coming out. Probably working hand-in-hand with the Icelandic Government to sweep this matter under the carpet in return for a few free holidays or something ?
Report abuse
I have lost my life savings; I trusted Guernsey and their regulatory body;
Why does Mr. Trott not share information with savers like me who are struggling to manage now after the collapse of Landsbanki:
Report abuse
Although everyone can make their own mind up as to why Deputy Trott has refused to allow Deputy de Lisle to accompany the delegation to Iceland, and we will see from his report on return just what he has achieved (unless it has to remain confidential to avoid ridicule), it is the way in which he has justified this refusal that should cause most concern.
The Chief Minister has stated “He is not mandated by the States of Deliberation to deal with external relations matters, he is mandated to deal with Education”
Every elected Deputy is mandated by the electors to deal with ANY matters of concern to them. When considering the manifesto of any prospective candidate for the States of Deliberation, extensive thought is given to the integrity, experience, moral beliefs,and all-round awareness and inquisitativeness of such candidate, and a vote is then made in the expectation that when elected said Deputy will make full use of all their talents for the public good.
It comes as an affront to democracy to learn that Deputies will only be allowed to use their talents in the areas that their masters dictate – this is not what we have voted for!
Report abuse
The welcome offer of an independent ‘witness’ to the Chief Minister’s discussions in Iceland (at no cost to the States of Guernsey) would evidence to Landsbanki depositors and Deputies alike, that “best efforts” had indeed been made – on that occasion at least- so why refuse it?. Deputy de Lisle has as good a ‘mandate’ as any other States member to consider the interests of Guernsey people, at least 600 of whom have lost DEPOSITS (not ‘investments’) in a Guernsey regulated bank.
Report abuse
People can make up their own minds as to why Deputy Trott would not allow Deputy de Lisle to accompany the delegation to Iceland, but we will see what he has achieved by his report on return (unless this is confidential to avoid ridicule).
A far more serious question is the reasons he gave for refusal – Deputy Trott said “He is not mandated by the States of Deliberation to deal with external relations, he is mandated to deal with Education”
When we consider the manifesto of any prospective candidate for election to the States, we give great thought to the integrity, ability and experience, and broad awareness and inquisitiveness of any candidate, and when elected we expect that person to be able to use all available talents for the good of the community (electors)
We do not expect the available talents of that person to be restricted to only specific areas by political masters.
An elected Deputy has the mandate from the people to exercise his talents on any matter relevant to those people – or has this changed?
Report abuse
For how long will deputies and Guernsey’s voters swallow Mr Trott’s non-sense? When will they make him accountable for what he was supposed to do: fight on behalf of 600 voters and an extra 1,000 depositors who stand to loose a substantial chunk of their life savings, and fight for saveguarding Guernsey’s reputation.
Over the last 10 months, it is abundantly clear that he has achieved nothing and he is still getting away with it. Wake up, deputies! Voters will have the last say.
Report abuse
Yet another trip without any accountability at the expense of the taxpayers! Enjoy, Mr Trott. With a few notable exceptions, deputies have kept very quiet. So has the press while we can all see before our eyes a massive demonstration of incompetency, lack of judgment and a chief minister whose only interest is political survival.
Report abuse
When I deposited money I had worked for, and saved, in a Landsbanki Guernsey account, I had no reason to fear I might lose my savings. The parent bank in Iceland guaranteed them, the Guernsey Financial Services Commission had approved the fitness of the bank to operate in the island. Yet October 2008 was for me, and for hundreds like me, the start of a nightmare which continues today. We are all short of 70% of our money.
I am writing to express my gratitude to Deputy de Lisle for understanding the desperate need for our plight to be recognised and our case supported at government level. By asking questions in the States and by his public offer to travel to Iceland at his own expense he has shown the kind of moral support that we have found it very difficult to detect thus far in the stance of Guernsey’s Chief Minister. It is a matter of regret that his offer has been rebuffed.
Report abuse
When the few people decided to use one of their many votes to put a cross next to Trott, was he then given the ‘mandate’ to make pathetic statements like this?
Report abuse
Nicki
Good on you that you intend to use your vote wisely next time around
Trouble is that if you don’t live in St Sampsons you will be denied a say on whether or not Trott gets voted back in
Report abuse
To Civil Servant
As incompetent as the Civil Servants in the GFSC perhaps!
Report abuse
Judging by the lamentable speeches in recent States Meetings delivered by Deputy de Lisle I can well think that the LDG are better off with him staying on the Island.
Do you really think Trott is going on a “jolly”? If so you need help. He is as desparate as the LDG to get this sorted so he can get on with things that are important to the 60,000 Islanders who were not seduced by high interest rates or took note of the warning signs which were in the public domain six months before the bank went into administration.
Report abuse
Well I did vote for Trott… the fool I am.. NEVER AGAIN !!
Report abuse
Well now, as a hard pressed deposit a/c holder with Landsbanki Guernsey, I was pleased to hear that the Administrators, Deloitte, announced on 5th August that they are able to arrange another
part payment of 25p in the £. I will be extremely interested to read if a certain person will now announce on a triumpant return from Iceland that this was all his organising ?
Report abuse
I’m not surprised Trott wouldn’t take De Lisle, he obvious doesn’t want to be embarrassed by what De Lisle might say. Judging by some of De Lisle’s crackpot ideas he’s come up with in the past it’s a good job he stayed at home.
At least the Icelanders just think we are a banana republic, if he had gone they would KNOW we are, heh heh
Report abuse
Will our chief minister achieve anything, probably not. It would make more sense for him to travel with the head of banking for the GFSC who should be tasked with reporting on the meetings and as regulators forcing a resolution. The blame lies with the GFSC and therefore they should be the ones responsible for resolving it.
If De Lisle wants to spend his money then please feel free to travel as far away from Guernsey as possible, I know you mean well but your ramblings in the States only alienate you.
Report abuse
David is one of the most experienced, well educated, and selflessly dedicated individuals in the States. The comments and views he puts across are well considered and with considerable support of the community he serves.
My father has had success in fighting for the people of Guernsey against powerful interest groups whose self interests do always correlate with those of the Island or its people – but alas it is a difficult battle when the States as a political body (and indeed its civil service) is so out of kilter with the people they purport to represent and so clearly wrong on so many issues.
This State is presently on a crash course toward becoming an “ormer” republic. An ormer, that is, encrusted in sewage, toxic waste and debt – erstwhile a corrupt clique and their supporters spend their ill gotten gains blowing the smoke of their waste in the face of the people of Guernsey – before running away to retire elsewhere.
Report abuse
Daniel
Its clearly in the genes then.
Report abuse
Daniel de Lisle
Well put
Report abuse
Daniel, good for you and well put….Your father is a dam good Deputy, my wife and I have the utmost respect for him.
Report abuse