Politicians’ bleeping phones do their bit for charity

Saturday 06 January 2018

Ever had your phone buzz when it’s not supposed to? That mortifying moment happened to local politicians nearly 40 times in the States Chamber last year – but they’ve managed to turn it into something positive.

Thanks to an initiative that sees States Members fined for their phone and tablet misdemeanours, £385 was sent to the Jersey Christmas Appeal.

The fines system was initiated by Michael de la Haye OBE, the current Greffier’s predecessor, when mobile phones became common place in the early noughties.

Since then, States Members have put £10 in a charity pot for every buzz, bing or ring emanating from their technology.

States Members are fined when their phones & tablets beep in the Chamber - the money goes to the Xmas Appeal - this year a bumper £385 mostly due to @SCFerguson13

— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) December 18, 2017

This year’s bumper yield was mostly down to Senator Sarah Ferguson, as Deputy Greffier Lisa Hart explained.

“[We] have made a fair bit off Senator Ferguson since her return to politics, as she is not very good at remembering to mute either her phone or iPad. The odd fiver was from the last meeting when she had about four breaches in one day and had no more cash left so we let her off part of one payment!” she told Express.

Senator Ferguson described her bleeping as “one of the hazards of modern equipment.” “I have suggested that, as a substantial contributor, I should have the choice of choosing the relevant charity.”

Pictured: Senator Sarah Ferguson contributed the most in fines in 2017.

According to the Deputy Greffier, the system has attracted attention from other jurisdictions, who “wish they could introduce something similar in their Chambers. 

She added: “I think it works well – it is voluntary; for a good cause and members are usually very good at admitting they are the culprit, but there is also a fair bit of peer pressure at play and lots of pointing when a phone goes off!”