Disapproving deputy exposes ‘schoolboy’ States tradition

Friday 11 May 2018

A departing Deputy has revealed a years-long ‘schoolboy’ States tradition as the current Assembly prepare to make their final exit - but is refusing to take part.

In series of photos, outgoing St. Lawrence Deputy and Minister for Infrastructure Eddie Noel showed how numerous States Members had marked their desk drawers in a bid to preserve their legacy.

In an adult twist on a predominantly teenage custom, politicians who have served and left the Assembly were found to have added their names, positions and dates of service to the States Chamber's ancient furnishings.

Those pictured included former Housing Minister turned social media political commentator Terry Le Main, ex-St. Brelade Deputy Peter Troy, as well as St. John Deputy of over a decade Phil Rondel, who also wished his successor “good luck.” 

Gerard Baudains – a former St. Clement Deputy, who hopes to return to politics as a Senator following next week’s election – also left his mark. 

my last States Members sitting yesterday, previous Members have chosen to leave their mark inside our Chamber desk draws, I declined this “tradition” I thought we were supposed to be Statesmen/Stateswomen not school children. It has been a privilege & honour to have served Merci pic.twitter.com/7IVZB0cdwG

— eddie noel (@edwardjnoel) May 10, 2018

But Deputy Noel said that he wouldn’t be adding his own personal scribble to the States Chamber – because he deemed it too childish.

“Previous Members have chosen to leave their mark inside our Chamber desk draws [sic], I declined this “tradition”,” he wrote.

“I thought we were supposed to be Statesmen/Stateswomen, not schoolchildren.

“It has been a privilege & honour to have served Merci.”

The tradition mirrors that of former Jersey College for Girls students, who signed the dome area of the former school building – now the College Gardens housing development – before they moved into a new premises in 2001.

Pictured: Jersey College for Girls students signed the former site’s dome before they left. (SOJDC) 

After four years in the same seats, Liberation Day was the final meeting in the States Chamber for many politicians. It remains unclear who, if any, of the sitting politicians decided to continue the mischievous trend.

Next week’s election on 16 May will see some lose their current seats, while others could find themselves making a move across the Chamber to a Senatorial position.

Those hoping to ‘upgrade’ include Deputies Simon Bree (St. Clement), John Le Fondré (St. Lawrence), Sam Mézec (St. Helier), Kristina Moore (St. Peter) and Tracey Vallois (St. John). Steve Pallett, the Constable for St. Brelade, also hopes to gain an island-wide mandate as Senator.

But with just eight senatorial seats, and nine current politicians standing for the role, at least one will have to depart the States Assembly.