Party politics are a "strait-jacket"

Wednesday 14 September 2016

States members got down to the business in hand as three hours of robust debate yesterday kicked off of the new political season - with plenty of old animosities coming to the fore under thunderous and battleship grey St Helier skies.

If the Bailiff, William Bailhache, was hoping that the web streaming which was being tested would have an effect on members, with all sweetness and light for the cameras, he was to be disabused of that notion very quickly - although newly-elected Senator Sarah Ferguson received a popular and hearty welcome.

The whole gamut of local politics was there for all to see as subjects varied from the loss of two jobs at the statistics department, new waste charges in the tourism and catering industry, the low turnout in the recent Senatorial by-election, online voting, medicinal use of cannabis and finally a fairly heated quarrel between Chief Minister Ian Gorst and the Reform Group. 

Chief Minister Gorst gave as good as he got as he was asked whether he would stand again for re-election in May 2018 and his adversaries were gunning for a binding promise.

Before that though, the Chief Minister was harangued by Deputy Geoff Southern; not for the first time and definitely not the last.       

Deputy Southern was adamant, as he invariably is, that the loss of two posts in the States’ statistics department would lead to all sorts of problems when it comes to preparing for the future. 

The Chief Minister replied: “The Deputy can see that there has been a re-organisation and re-prioritisation brought into the central statistics unit to work together more effectively. 

“We are seeking similar levels of work with a smaller number of people, due to efficiencies we have introduced.”

Tourism Minister Lyndon Farnham was then grilled over the proposed new waste charges for tourism and the catering industry by Constable Chris Taylor.

Minister Farnham said: “My department has highlighted that the proposals for charging should take full account of the impact these will have and that they are fair and equitable.”

Senator Ferguson descried the charges as “pretty hefty” which is undeniably true as they amount to £11million, although even that significant sum wouldn’t buy you a half decent left back in the Premier League these days. 

Senator Farnham said: “It is going to be a big ask to find £11m from commercial sectors but we will endeavour to make it as affordable as possible.”

He was asked whether the new charge would have the support of the business community in Jersey, to which the Minister gave the rather obvious reply: “I would be surprised if any new tax would have the support of anybody.”

That was all pretty amicable, but the atmosphere soon turned frostier as Deputies Montfort Tadier and Sam Mezec launched into the Treasury Minister Alan Maclean, with the latter even asking him “what planet is he living on?”

“The same one as the Deputy,” replied Minister Maclean, who then proceeded to outline how the various ‘efficiencies’ had been engineered so as to cause the minimum difficulties for those on low incomes.

“Our housing policy is working to increase supply and to therefore limit future rent increases. Considerable funding has also been provided for low income support to assist those most in need. The benefits and taxes are actually working to improve income inequality.”

Deputy Mezec said: “In what respect has income inequality been helped by his policy to cut £10m in support to the poorest individuals in society. What planet is he living on? There are shocking levels of poverty on the Island.”

The Minister said significant investment has been made in health and education and that 30% of the Island will pay nothing towards the newly proposed health charge.

We moved on to the shockingly low turnout for the Senatorial by-election earlier this month, when less than one in five of the electorate voted. 

Deputy Tadier asked if anything could be done about it, but was told in no uncertain terms that voters cannot be forced to register their approval, although a plan to introduce online voting in 2018 or 2022 was put forward by Deputy Southern with a view towards increasing the youth vote. 

Health Minister Andrew Green was asked if he felt medicinal cannabis was acceptable, in certain circumstances where a person felt it alleviated their pain. 

“My response is I have every sympathy because some illnesses are incredibly debilitating, but I would urge the person to contact their GP and ask for support. There is no way that I would approve the use of any medication, be it cannabis or anything else, without medical practitioners advising on it and licensing approval.”

As the States headed towards lunch it was time for the Reform Group to go in for a touch more Gorst-baiting. 

The Chief Minister was asked by Deputy Tadier whether he intended to stand for re-election in a little under two years.

“I’m not sure if that falls under the standing orders of my official responsibilities, but you may rule otherwise,” said a perplexed Chief Minister, who turned to the Bailiff for guidance.  

“The Chief Minister has to answer almost any question,” said the Bailiff, as politely as he could muster. 

With that the Chief Minister gathered this thoughts and responded with thinly disguised contempt for his adversaries. 

“The next general election is not until May 2018. but it would appear that certain members of this assembly are more focused on events in 2018 than they are in doing a public service for our Islanders for five, ten, 15 and 20 years into the future.

“I’m focussing on the best interests of this Island, whatever I may decide to do in 2018. I would ask every single member of this assembly to do the same.” 

Cue much stamping of feet, the States’ record of approval.  

Deputy Tadier had another go, this time saying the Chief Minister was responsible for “scathing cuts and a record of making Jersey even more unequal.”

Chief Minister Gorst said: “He enjoys party politics, but we in Jersey have a long tradition of independence working together on many particular issues. The three members opposite are in the straight jacket of party politics.”

So from statisticians through to strait-jackets, the States of Jersey are well and truly back.