It’s been said before – but this really is the worst States ever
Tuesday 16th March 2010, 1:00PM GMT.
GUERNSEY’S government really is the worst the island has ever had, say former island leaders.
Their comments back up those made by ex-conseiller Peter Ferbrache (pictured) on BBC Guernsey’s Sunday phone-in.
The senior advocate and one-time Castel deputy called the States ‘an absolute shambles’.
Bob Chilcott, who spent 18 years in the States from 1976, said Advocate Ferbrache was absolutely right.
‘They are a total mess. There is no leadership and no decisions, nothing.’
Peter Derham was in the States twice in the 80s and 90s, for a total of 12 years.
He was less than impressed with the current system and said it was the result of taking only half the recommendations of the Harwood report.
- Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. See below for subscription details.
- 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
Experienced former politicians say this is the worst States ever
We have relatively recently started paying our States members a salary
A link perhaps??
Report abuse
Isn’t it about time Guernsey accepted that the current States are simply not capable of good governance, and there isn’t a fresh supply of more able politicians on the island to replace them. Reduce the number of committees and meddling/petty little ignorant politicians, and get outside help. Run the island as a plc, and cut out the time-wasting numpties.
Report abuse
@Gordon Brown, why would we want outside help? We have plenty of good enough members of the public to run the island, we don’t need foreigners over here controlling us.
Report abuse
To be honest, we need to have a benign dictator with experienced advisors, none of these pointless and expensive U turns and the like, only what’s best for the island.
Report abuse
No surprise there then..
As the owner of a small business, I’ve already parted with a good proportion of my profits to the States of Guernsey this year..and its only March!
I’m just waiting now to see how much the St Sampsons parish rates are going to sting me this year.
In common with just about everyone I know, I’d be be happy to leave this rock; naturally with the blessing of the Social Security Department as they would’nt have to pay me a full pension…
It doesn’t need an expert to realise that on an island of only 65000, the system’s top-heavy.
Report abuse
It’s all very well these ex politicians slagging off the current ones (quite understandably so on plenty of occasions). However, I don’t think we ought to forget that today’s States are subject to a lot more public and media scrutiny than those of old. Years ago the amount of States contracts that were awarded to companies connected to deputies was substantial. And we’re not talking about pennies here, we’re talking millions. I’m not so naive to think that some of today’s lot don’t benefit personally from verious deals but I don’t believe it’s to the same extent as it was years ago.
Report abuse
GG, who exactly are the ‘good enough members of the public to run the island’? New generations are so disillusioned by the incompetence of the States that they are turned off politics, leaving small-minded busy bodies who can’t see beyond their nose let alone envisage a medium to long range future for the island. As for foreigners controlling guernsey, no one could do a worse job than the current encumbents.
Report abuse
An easy allegation to make – a bit like the Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons, or those “Top 100 Songs Ever as voted by you” shows on TV with recent songs that people will have forgotten in 20 years time.
I don’t think it’s wise to make a historical judgment on a government during its tenure. Let some time pass before passing final judgement. It’s easy to look at the “good old days” through rose tinted spectacles that forget their mistakes; then compare them favourably to the current incumbents, whose errors are in recent memory.
Report abuse
Could it be that the current lot are simply having to deal with the mess left behind by the rapid, but ultimately bad decisions of Ferbrache, Langlois, Chilcott, Falla, Roffey and co?
Nah.
They’re collectively pretty bad, actually.
Gordon Brown for CM!
Report abuse
When I first arrived to Guernsey 14 years ago I actually enjoyed the Politics and Debates.
A progressive downturn in interest has resulted in too much interference from the UK goverment.
A States member today has no grit to stand up for there voters rights, too many stand off’s 50/50 votes never a clear cut decision these days. It just put’s the voter off.
The States have let the public down and that is proven each time an election occurs, poor turn out’s year on year.
Report abuse
I agree Bob,a lot of the time the current States are suffering because of the decisions that have gone before them, people have short memories, but I do believe these yo yo decisions on the incinerator have not helped the current States.And the media do not help, the past politicians did not have the media on the phone for “opinions” every other day.
Report abuse
Usually Adv. Ferbs appearance makes for a good debate; this week he was cobbled somewhat by his represenatation conflict. With a restricted brief he came across as playing to the gallery somewhat.
Report abuse
willo has hit the nail on the head. These days we have far fewer retired or semi-retired businessmen who, having the experience of running their business as a success were then able to apply that experience to running “Guernsey Ltd” in an equally able manner.
Yes Phil, States contacts did go to local companies that States members were involved in – for the above reason.
Report abuse