1

Phil

Beware the man they call Trott. He sees himself as Guernsey’s Prime Minister with full executive powers, and the fools in the States are too stupid to see what’s happening. Slowly but surely he is getting his way.

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3

Paul Le Page

I am always wary of “reports” of such discussions as they are often based on hearsay or gossip spread by people who have a personal axe to grind.

In fact I sincerely hope such discussions about the order of wreath laying never took place, as they are more suitable for a school playground tiff “me first, no me first, my office is bigger than yours” than the actions of our senior respresentatives.

If (and again I stress if) such discussions took place, then the people concerned should spend some time considering the humble attitude of veterans who fought and suffered during previous wars (not to mention those ordinary men and women who gave their lives) before dishonouring them by using a rememberance ceremony as an opportunity to massage their over-inflated egos.

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5

Great Leader

All hail first citizen Trott, chief wreath layer supreme!

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7

Eric

Paul!
Thank you):-

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9

lers

If this report is rooted in fact, this is a disgrace. There is room for a debate about the Bailiff’s possible conflict of interests given his multi roles, but to use the Act of Rememberance for such cheap brawling theatre is to bring it into disrepute. I say this as someone who is wary of Rememberance displays when they are abused by jingoists and nationalists. Those squabbling over who places which wreath, when, have massively missed the point and disrepect all who died, and continue to die, in all those wars (and I reckon that includes on every side and in my rememberance, civilians too). The point is partly to remember and reflect (and maybe resolve to try harder to stop it happening?). Ironically, our leaders are fighting over the fighting. Someone has to go first at the ceremony but it does not matter to the dead and fallen who it is. Does a dead WW1 squaddie value more the politician, the child or the homeless man if they are first to lay down their wreath? Perhaps the everyman representatives SHOULD be first, the humble or the innocent and not the pompous or self-important? I have been angered by the relentless media tirade against out States over the recent months because I believe it will lead to the ordinary man being badly let down in favour of the rich and powerful. However, if this report is fact, I wonder why I bother to defend them.

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11

slep

Well said Paul Le Page. This whole matter seems so petty beyond belief.

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13

Scarlett

Good grief, if this is true, have these people got nothing BETTER to be doing with their time than arguing over who’s first in the queue?!!!

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15

Eric

I’ll ask my brother, and many friends, no longer with us: and the many who would have loved to take their place:

Alas they can’t answer; In fact they didn’t try to be first or last: They did what they knew to be right; Pity those who squabble; it shows the small minds of some.
May they hope no one will squabble when their time comes.

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17

blogger

These people should hang their heads in shame. Does it really matter who goes first so long as its done with respect. I’m sure some of the people who attend this ceremony are only there to be seen and have very little regard for rememberance.

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19

Matt Fallaize

To those who have criticised the length of some of my previous contributions, may I apologise for the 600-odd word post that follows. Having just sent it to the Press for publication, I thought it was topical under this thread and worth sharing with users of this forum.

So, the Policy Council has been discussing the order of laying wreaths on Remembrance Sunday. Extraordinarily this also occupied the minds of certain members of our senior committee this time last year.

I thought long and hard before writing this. As a member of the States it is difficult to do so without appearing to ‘politicise’ the issue further when it has already become far too political. It is also wise for members always to try very hard to focus exclusively on matters of policy so as to desist from engaging in the politics of personality. However, despite being acutely conscious that of late I have occupied too many column inches than is healthy, so angry am I about this shameful episode that on this occasion I make no apologies for offering a perspective from my lowly place on the ‘backbenches’.

On an occasion such as Remembrance Sunday, the laying of a wreath by a senior politician should not be used to make a political point. It should be treated as a duty to represent the government, its members and the wider community at a service in memory of those who have made great sacrifices on our behalf.

That any here-today-gone-tomorrow politician – and, frankly, all 47 of us fall into that category – should be pre-occupied with whether to lay a wreath first, second or twenty-second is thoroughly objectionable and, quite honestly, a source of embarrassment to me as a member of the States. If ever an event should provoke participants to think of the sacrifices of others rather than of themselves then surely Remembrance Sunday is that event.

I am not militaristic or even especially patriotic, but, like thousands of others in Guernsey, my family has connections to war. My paternal grandfather left behind a pregnant wife and two young children to fight in World War Two, spending three years in a labour camp in Poland. My father-in-law was in the armed forces, and my brother-in-law is a paratrooper who quite recently served a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Moreover, millions of men and women have given their lives in war on our behalf. I am sure I am not alone in having found it deeply offensive that for two consecutive years the respect paid by Guernsey to servicemen and women past and present might potentially have been compromised because of a fit of pique from a politician or politicians who should have known better. In the event, it was perhaps fortunate that Deputy Rihoy, Father of the House and a man who does not count delusions of grandeur among his faults, was able to represent the States at the service and to do so honourably, obviously quite happily laying his wreath in whichever order tradition dictated.

I can barely believe the following quote, attributed to the gentleman who occupies what is nominally the senior-most position in our government: “It is difficult to explain why an unelected position such as HM Procureur should precede a democratically-elected member…” Well, perhaps it would be worth exploring further were the subject matter overtly political or were it to concern an important point of principle, but I am dismayed that such a thought should even occur to any rational person over a matter such as the order of laying wreaths on Remembrance Sunday.

I am yet to be persuaded that any of this was related to some sort of formal review of the relationships between crown appointments and politics. It seems certain that a tendency towards megalomania from among whichever of those politicians were involved was a more likely source of this unseemly, almost delusional behaviour.

I wish to make this public request of those who were responsible: please ensure that this sort of shameful episode does not arise again.

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21

Doug

I hope this is not true?

If it is then John Ch11 vs35 sums it up pretty well I suspect.

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23

Ray

In a couple of years time it won’t matter to Trott who comes first

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25

Dave Jones

Sorry Paul

I am not sure what your point is. I read the agenda paper on this item again this morning and it clearly states from the Bailiff that the views of the PC should be sought on this matter. You cannot do that without discussing it. I proposed that we did so when the Bailiff was present at some future date, that proposal was accepted by those in attendance and that was that.

What decisions are you referring to? the decisions on the way this island is governed are made by the States of Deliberation, in fact this is what a lot of people are moaning about, those who want full blown executive government and as you know I am not one of them want an executive at the centre. Have we now got to the stage where the PC are not allowed to discuss anything?

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27

Paul

I am not wanting to stir up even more anger here. I have heard from a very reliable source that CM Trott is wanting to spend good taxpayers money on a fifteen foot bronze sculpture to mark his position and importance.

The site for this is in front of the market building where the empty plinth rests.

I even have a mock sketch of the works and the letter of intent from the chosen artist and founder!!!

I am sure the CM will make this public in the near future!!!

Will you Mr Trott?

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29

Last Boy Scout

I’m angry that this is yet another ‘front page’ item that is stealing attention from real issues. C’mon people get a grip! Tackle something big and important, like sewage treatment. Cheez.

On the statue story (yeah, right) IT IS time that we had a debate about public art in this island, and the three plinths between the Market and the Town Church do seem to be crying out for something – I’d suggest Admiral James de Saumarez and Major-General Isaac Brock. It should be balanced out by a Historical female figure from the island, but I can’t think of one. Any ideas?

So, by now many of you are thinking ‘hang on a sec’ this isn’t important stuff, what is Last Boy Scout on about? well, I think that showing off our heritage is important and that public art demonstrates a vibrant and dynamic poulace who are proud of their island. Sure we could spend the money on other things, but our environment is where we live, and few things are more important than our environment.

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31

Edquet

Who is telling the truth, without spinning?
The front page of the press, said that the Bailiff only sent a order of the traditional order of wreath laying, after being asked by staff of the Policy Council. But our esteemed and much loved CM was puzzled by the Bailiffs remarks” this is very odd. The note from the Bailiff sought the Policy Councils early views and l adhered to that request.”
On yesterdays Gsy. Radio Carol Steere said the agenda did not contain this item.
It also appears that only 5 members where present when it was discussed,and Peter Sirett, walked out making only four where left. Also Deputy Adams, did not approve of the timing, so close to the Remembrance Sunday.
In my opinion this is another incident of the disgraceful behaviour, by members, who we expect better from.
I suggest that some of you go to the memorial at Smith Street and bow your heads in shame, to all though who fought and died in the First World War including a number of my Guernsey family.
The Policy Council after this latest fiasco, must step down and a new one be elected by the people.

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33

Paul

ben
Of course!!!

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35

Student Bob

The most surprising thing here is that so many people are surprised by the disrespectful, selfish, self-serving actions of El Presidente Trott. C’mon, politics is no more than a popularity contest.

Personally, I like to imagine those Asian delegates googling CM Trott to see exactly who we sent to represent us and ending up with the Wreathgate schoolyard spat. What an embarrassment.

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37

Steven

It isn’t difficult to see where all this originated from. Just ask yourself two simple questions.

1. Is it likely that the bailiff would wish to defer to someone that displayed utter disrespect to him during a court sitting.

2. Is it likely that, given what is known of Trott that he would wish to be given precedence over the bailiff.

If your answers are ‘no’ to the first and ‘yes’ to the second, then your belief concours with Matt Fallaizes’ observation that this matter occupied the minds of certain members of our senior committee this time last year.

If however your answers are different from the above it may just be that you are beyond reason.

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39

Cher Eugene

Mat Fallaise for President and only member of the States! He can then get what he wants.

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41

bcb

I dont think many are really that suprised by Trotts actions.

Cher Eugene
Thats a good idea actually.
You don`t seem to like anything said against Trott do you?.

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43

Paul

Stuart Falla would have made a massive and refreshing difference as CM IMO!

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45

valeite

Paul

Barack Obama would have made a great CM but like Stuart Falla he was not available at the time to vote for,States members can only vote for who is up for it at the time and by the time you have taken out newly elected deputies,and the ones who do not want to be CM,you really have not much else to choose from.I would have like to have seen Peter Roffey as CM, that really would have put the cat amongst the pigeons, but he wasn’t available to vote for either.

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47

Eric

Well on reading all these postings; and not favoring one or the other:
However what it does do to me is to take me back nearly 70 years,

it seems that Ruling body handed down their doctrines.

all I can say, is this.

Before it is too late get rid of the lot of them; yes the lot; remember one rotten potato can ruin the whole barrel.

Before it is too late OUT WITH THEM,

You are Guernsey folk: being ruled once was more than enough.

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49

Ray

I don’t believe for a minute that this is true but I was told that at the latest Policy Council meeting Trott was demanding that HE should switch on the Christmas lights this year !

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