Islanders take opportunity to "have a rant"

Tuesday 03 March 2015

The latest attempt at ministerial engagement attracted around 30 people to St Paul’s Centre yesterday – but there were few newcomers to the political scene.

The Council of Ministers held its first ‘drop-in’ session – where Islanders had the chance to sit face-to-face with political leaders, including the Chief Minister. Rather than follow a hustings format, the session was more akin to speed-dating, with each minister sat at a table, with the public choosing which minister they wanted to speak to.

Blogger and campaigner Neil McMurray said he had used the opportunity to speak to Chief Minister Ian Gorst about the Independent Care Inquiry.

"It was a useful conversation and I’m pleased to have the chance to get my point across," he said. "It is incredibly important that the inquiry is left alone to let victims of abuse be heard … it takes time and costs money for the truth to come out."

Another member of the public, a civil servant who wished to remain anonymous, said he had "had a good rant" about the private rental market and health inequality in the Island.

"You have a large number of people spending over 50 per cent of their income on keeping a roof over their heads while a small number of privileged landlords and getting richer and richer. The States has to do something about this."

Senator Gorst said he was pleased with the first session and he hoped more people would take up the opportunity to meet ministers.

Another drop-in session was held at Communicare last night. A roadshow of community meeting, attended by the whole council, will begin in May.