VIDEO: Public rally is more than just anti-Ozouf, say protesters

Wednesday 18 January 2017

Over 100 Islanders turned out in the Royal Square yesterday to demand Senator Philip Ozouf’s immediate resignation. But they say that their protest was about more than that: a simmering anti-establishment feeling that the entire States “is no longer fit for purpose” finally reaching boiling point.

Organised by the Jersey Waterfront Action Group, the public rally saw former Deputy Sean Power lead calls of, “Ozouf out!” (video below) in response to the Assistant Chief Minister’s handling of the Innovation Fund – set-up to invest in emerging local businesses - which may lead to losses of up to £1.4 million of taxpayers’ money.

Karina Bisson (left) and her friend say that the Council of Ministers' "wasting of taxpayers' money" is their biggest concern.

Mr Power told Express: “We’re concerned about the Innovation Fund, we’re concerned about the financing on the Waterfront, we’re concerned about so many things that Senator Ozouf has a say in. That’s why we’re here today.” 

However, this was simply a flash point in what had been a longstanding problem with the Council of Ministers, he said.

“It’s a very weak Council of Ministers. The perception is that even if Senator Ozouf has offered to resign and Gorst accepts it, it will still be weak.”

Video: Former Deputy Sean Power leads Islanders in protest.

It was a position shared by protester and former St John Constable Graham Butcher, who said that the Fund fiasco followed on from “a litany of other errors.”

“Scrutiny can’t get to the resources they need and when they can, quite often they’re not taken any notice of. [The Council of Ministers] is just people sitting in a high chair, making the decisions, while the rest are almost superfluous.”

Graham Butcher wants Scrutiny to have greater power.

Another attendee - also named Graham - echoed this, criticising the States’ culture of “golden handshakes”

“I’m fed up with the way these States members are running things and not listening to what the people want. In private commerce, if they did the things that they do, they’d be out… I don’t think the States is fit for purpose. It may have been 50 years ago, but not anymore. Let’s get to the modern world.”

Graham: "The sign says it all really." 

But how to get to this “modern world”?

Some suggested moving towards a form of Committee-led government like Guernsey, while one Islander drew comparisons with the historic Bread Riots and 1769 ‘Jersey Revolution’, claiming that it might take a similar uprising to enact tangible change.

John Le Mare called for greater transparency to “get rid of the corrupt.” He suggested a Russia-style system whereby candidates must declare which boards they sit on to inform voters of potential conflicts of interest.

Meanwhile, a group of retired women felt that the answer lay with the next generation: Reform Jersey’s Deputy Sam Mézec, who they believed would “stick up for both young and old, and the disadvantaged.”

Deputy Mézec appeared just moments later to issue a statement, in which he confirmed Mr Ozouf’s resignation offer, adding that it was “about damn time.”

 Video: Leader of Reform Jersey, Deputy Sam Mézec, issues a statement.

In a speech met with calls of “drain the swamp!”, Mézec described Senator Ozouf’s influence as “toxic”, blasting his States Chamber allies for their “disturbing foot stomping” in support. 

He added: “The one thing I do regret is that there should be someone else that’s resigning and that’s the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst.” 

Evoking Donald Trump's presidential campaign, this Islander (centre) called for the States to, "Drain the swamp!"

Throughout the rally, police forces had been present in preparation for an appearance from Senator Ozouf, which may have sparked unrest, but the Senator exited the premises using a back door.

Ultimately, Islanders calls were answered when Ian Gorst accepted Senator Ozouf’s offer to “step aside”, but many made clear that they wouldn’t be able to sit still following a ‘victory’ for fear of things returning to the status quo.

Frank O’Neill called for a “big protest and for people to get up off their proverbials.”

“[States Politicians] just sit in there, and they hear this every couple of years… The people outside grumble, grumble, grumble, then there and there’s a wee meeting, and they [the States members] go back to their mansions.

“What we need is a concerted effort with everybody behind it. We need to get together and do something about it.”

Frank O'Neil says small victories like Senator Ozouf's "stepping aside" shouldn't lead to complacency - the pressure must remain constant.

Alternatively, local people will be able to take their protest to the ballot boxes in the upcoming elections of May 2018.

As one Islander observed: “They say you get the government that you deserve; people just don’t vote enough in Jersey…”