Island politics is a full-time job – chief minister
Wednesday 23rd November 2011, 2:29PM GMT.
Chief Minister Deputy Lyndon Trott, left, and Island Archivist Dr Darryl Ogier at yesterday’s Chamber of Commerce/IoD seminar. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 1201051)
BEING a deputy in 21st century Guernsey has become a job in its own right, Chief Minister Lyndon Trott told a seminar yesterday evening.
The issue was raised at the Making a Difference to Government seminar at St James – organised by the Chamber of Commerce and the Institute of Directors.
‘If you want to be an effective member of the States, then it is difficult, if not impossible, to do a full-time job,’ he said.
‘I hope people will not be put off [standing] but it is the way of the world – it is a more difficult and complex place.’
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MMmmm, got to put them off if i want to get back as Chief Minister next April !!
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Why doesn’t Lyndon Trott look out of the window in the morning?
Because then he’d have nothing to do in the afternoon!
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He just doesn’t want anyone else getting in on the act. He is too busy enjoying himself going off on jollys at the tax payers expense.
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Isn’t that why they get a full time wage and pension package?
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On this occasion I can see CM Trott’s point.
I want my elected representatives to be well informed – this means taking the time to research critical issues for themselves and not just acting like lemmings, blindly relying on information provided by Civil Servants.
I also want my deputies to be visible – and not just 2 months before the election. I have never had a visit from a Deputy just “doing the rounds” and checking out what’s on the mind of the electorate. I understand Sean McManus did this in Castel but in St Peter Port North that hasn’t happened.
Then there’s the moaning minnies that constantly ring Deputies to complain about paid parking and the next door neighbour’s dog. I’m all for accessibility (see above) but there’s a limit – and unlike UK MPs our Deputies don’t have secretaries to bat off time wasters. I can’t imagine how someone could be in a board meeting taking phone calls from Mr Bourgaize complaining about the bus timetable.
I’m not sure being a Deputy precludes ANY other work, but I can’t see how someone could be in full time employment and have the time to be a competent Deputy. Deputy Dave Jones wrote an excellent and honest piece a while back on the demands on a local deputy. Perhaps he might be so kind as to post it again.
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Paul, maybe you will find John Gollop sleeping on your doorstep?
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I suppose we must take his word for it. However can I point out that in the uk the right honourable member for Witney, David Cameron. Also finds time run the country.
I’m guessing that most the cabinet Also have thier Constituencies and Directorships as well as thier ministries.
Not that I am in any way drawing comparisons.
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Maybe Lyndon is sweating on the possibility he may not get the vote he wants in 2012. Prior to his lofty position these days his employment prior to ‘politics’ (it’s not really politics – it’s a council, similar to Yeovil in size). I mean to say Lyndon enjoys his job as it makes him feel (1) happy, (2) important and (3) dictatorial. If you consider Lyndon was a PA at a private bank, an accounts ‘person’, a fisherman, a landlord.
Lets recount his meteoric rise to power and fame; as if called from upon high (maybe it was through a voice from the heavens, John Gollop or Tony Webber – or both), came the rise through the esteemed ranks of the states members, which saw him first as an ordinary rank and file states member. Ultimately he rose to the top of the flotsam to become First Sealord of the Finance and now Lord High Chief Minister and lord Protector of the Realm of Guernsey and it’s smaller less important islands.
Who could possibly emulate this esteemed career?
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If it’s a full time job, on the Island, then the CM is a marvel,
How then if what he says is true ; then how come he can do so much travelling.
You can’t fool me CM, time travel hasn’t yet come to Guernsey,
And you can’t be in 2 places at the same time.
However not much longer and it”s bye bye
‘On yer bike’
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