Here is your chance to express your opinions about island issues or the way Jersey is run. Please write to us or email us with views you wish to see published on this page. Of course if you want your letter kept confidential, let us know and we will not publish it. You don’t have to have your name printed if you write something (you can use initials or a nickname). We won’t print stuff that is libellous, offensive or racist.

Email us your views to letters@jdajersey.co.uk

You can read the views of our younger voters (16-24 age group) by going to their opinions on the Youth Bytes page. Click here

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States Debate

Hi

I am saddened and disappointed with the results of the censure motion against the Chief Minister and also the no confidence votes against the Council of Ministers but given the track record of most of our states members I cannot say that I am all that surprised.

Senator Walker and his politburo have the confidence of the States but they do not have the trust of the people of Jersey and it is about time that we showed them this at the upcoming elections.

Cheers.
Chris

"How dare an 'oik' (even a highly academically qualified one like Shona Pitman) attack a 'nob' - sent to the JEP by A. Southern

Sir

I was disappointed to read the personal attack on Shona Pitman (letters 2nd July) by Collette Crill, whose work for Amnesty International I admire and support. The subtext of her letter seems to be “how dare an ‘oik’ criticise a ‘nob’?”

She claims to be unaware of any of Deputy Pitman’s achievements; that is not to say that there have been none. The deputy works hard both to ensure the rights of her constituents and to fulfil her role on Scrutiny, and being in touch with the electorate, is very aware of how offensive many found the Bailiff’s words on Liberation Day. He seemed to imply that revealing Jersey’s dark secrets was more scandalous than the nature of those secrets themselves. This only confirms the feeling that the establishment are operating a ‘cover-up’ policy. It is interesting that Mrs Crill accuses Deputy Pitman of belonging to a ‘cabal’ – a group that operates in secret and indulges in conspiracy. On the contrary, she belongs to the JDA, which is a properly constituted political party, with the openly stated aims of promoting democracy, and as such it is supported by the Rowntree foundation. This party openly declares the dual role of the Bailiff to be unconstitutional. It is the establishment of this Island that is perceived to conspire in secret and could therefore more properly be labelled a ‘cabal’.

To defend the Bailiff on the grounds that he could earn more in private practice is again offensive, as most of us who work in the public service could earn more elsewhere, our salaries being only a fraction of the Bailiff’s; the status and power that accompany his role should more than compensate him for any loss of income. The cost to the taxpayer of his salary is around six times that of a Deputy.

Deputy Pitman is representing those who elected her by bringing before the States the concerns felt by many. She does not deserve to be attacked, and especially not by someone who is campaigning to restore democracy to Zimbabwe by seeking transparency in its electoral process. I am in no way comparing the Bailiff to Robert Mugabe, but the principle of opposing the exercise of power by those not properly elected remains the same.

Our First View - Thank you Dean

Looking at what is going on in Jersey involving both the Senior Police & Politicians it is time we had new blood running our island, People who firstly listen to the public who pay their wages, stop wasting our tax paying monies as though Jersey has a bottomless pit of gold, we need to out the corruption that is ruining Jersey.

If the business people of Jersey were to run their businesses as the States of Jersey run our island their businesses would go bankrupt, we the business people unlike the Jersey States members can not make money appear out of thin air as and when they run out of money, do we need any more statues, I don't think so,

Years ago Jersey was run by people who held Day jobs or had their own business, they were not paid for the work they did (unlike today) they made money for Jersey and also themselves at the same time, tourists hired cars, used hotels and guest houses, went to restaurants, did shopping etc and gave many Jersey businesses their money, Jersey has now out priced itself from the real tourist market so we rely on finance which could vanish over night,

We need change in more ways than one, lets hope this is allowed to happen and happens for the best, Dean M

Dean, thanks for your comments. I think you are putting into words what so many people are thinking. We do desperately need new blood, just as you say. As for your observation that were any ordinary individual to run their business the way Ministers appear happy to run their departments they would quickly be out of business and bankrupt to boot - I could not agree more.

I personally feel a key issue here is that today, and for some considerable time to be honest, elections can effectively be bought i.e. those who can afford hugely expensive, glossy marketing campaigns are able to get themselves elected regardless of ability. Unfortunately, with the wholly inept regulations currently being put forward by PPC this is unlikely to change much come the next election, despite the 'spin' claiming the contrary.

There are many, many highly capable 'ordinary' working people out there who could do a great job for the people of this island. Of equal importance in this I would suggest is the fact that such people would understand the issues at hand because they faced them in their every day life. And this is the only point that I would appear to disagree with you on, if I am interpreting what you are saying correctly. If the States were to resort to being a totally non-salaried occupation once again it would rule out any person who did not already have significant capital behind them. The vast majority of us, after all, need to work to keep a roof over our head so we would be preventing any such individual standing.

What we would be left with, I believe, would be more of the same type of candidates happy to spend and tax because they themselves are totally removed from the impact faced by 'middle earners' and those on lower incomes. What can we do about this? Sorry for being predictable, but I would just say go out and rally as many people to vote for candidates from the JDA. better still, if you think you might be interested in standing yourself - get in touch!

Regards

Trevor

Comments on this Website

“Pleasantly surprised. Without wishing to sound patronising it seems the JDA has finally grown up and by the look of it in to something that could come to serve the island very well. Never questioned that the organisation regularly focussed on the right issues or had some good people, but the firm commitment evident to the centre ground really is the key, if you want my advice. A nod of respect to all concerned. Good, vibrant layout too, not that I am in any way an expert, so that is about as technical as you will get from me.” Bob, 65

“Excellent! But may I add – about bloody time! Maybe now I can stop wasting 45p on Pravda and put it toward providing for my old age. Sure I’ll need every penny if Le Sueur is to be our next Chief Minister.” C

“Thank God! A free press that isn’t just full of sad little anoraks calling each other names. PJ and ITJ? please take note.” Karen

“Good articles, hope you keep it up. Especially pleased to see someone having the balls to take on that arrogant, pompous ass of a Bailiff.” Old Metal But Not Yet Rusty!

“Would have liked an instant access forum-type facility. But looking at the way the current sites offering this seem to have been taken over by under 4’s or closet fascists and communists concede you have probably made a sensible choice. Hope the party will ensure feedback is put up on a regular basis though to help keep interest. All things considered a damn good site.” TN

“Great site. Fair play to you guys. You might not be perfect but you’re just about the only ones saying what really needs to be said. And that’s that all who want rid of this awful Walker/Ozouf/Le Sueur gang really need to work together. Your politicians are also among very, very few States members who have actually kept their word as told to the electorate. You will have my vote again this time.” Rich

“I don’t usually like slogans but ‘Commonsense politics for commonsense people’ says it all. Well done.” JS

“Nice, bright site and people who sound like they actually care.” Jo

“I admit I didn’t know too much about the JDA so checked out the site out of curiosity. Certainly not what I expected from the bits I have read in the JEP. Could some people have been telling fibs? I was expecting a load of ranting radicals, but no. Good, honest, centre ground political sense. Just what this island needs.” Peter

“Excellent.” TC, 21

"Brilliant blog! You and Stuart (Syvret) should write books. Funny, clever and the points are spot on. Wish you well in the election." Jane