Thursday 1 March 2012

St Helier backs keeping the Electoral Commission independent - 53 in support and 3 against

There was a good attendance at the Town Hall yesterday evening for a special Parish Assembly, which resulted in 53 votes being cast in favour and 3 against a resolution to support the amendments of Deputy Roy Le Herissier that would keep the Electoral Commission independent.

This result is all the more impressive as the majority of those present were there to attend for the 13 items of licensing assembly. That they arrived with no knowledge of the issue and with no preconceived ideas means that they were swayed by the power of argument.

There were eight States Members in the audience and it was noted that St Helier deputies Rod Bryans and Jackie Hilton did not vote; I think we know how they will be voting on the big day. It would have useful to have heard from them or others prepared to defend the PPC plan. I hope both will reflect and note that there was mass support for our resolution amongst those attending. What would their constituents really want? What does this meeting say about public opinion when afforded respect and allowed to express its views?

This was a successful follow up to the Parish Assembly in St Clement last week, which also produced a favorable result. Hopefully the message will get out to States Members, when they debate the issue on 6th March, that there is significant public concern about the plan to have three States Members on the Electoral Commission and that PPC’s Projet P.5 as drafted is unacceptable. They should refuse to be railroaded by strong personalities and exercise their judgment to create an Electoral Commission that will be objective.

Here are the speeches by Deputy Roy Le Herissier and myself. We also had contributions from both authors of the Minority Report, Deputies Montfort Tadier and Judy Martin, both of whom sit on PPC, as well as a number of strong contributions from the floor.



9 comments:

  1. And they will just say that the 53 were a rent-a-mob and not representative of the electorate, citing PB's poll-topping result while completely bypassing that they ignored Vernon Tomes's and Stuart Syvret's poll-topping results in the past - picking and choosing things to suit their agenda as usual!

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  2. Nick.

    It will be interesting to see how (if) last night's meeting will be portrayed by the State Media.

    The result was a resounding vote of no confidence in Philip Bailhache. Coupled with the result of the St. Clement assembly Senator Bailhache has secured three votes. As with last night's assembly not one person spoke in favour of the Senator at St. Clement nor did a single person vote in favour.

    State BBC Radio Jersey, don't appear to have even mentioned last night's assembly.......wonder why?

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  3. Strange that these special Parish Assmblies called by just four voters under the 1804 Law have such a democratic basis!
    If only the Constables would devote their energies solely to Parish matters how much better it would be all round. Especially if the Constables Committee was opened up to public attendance, scrutiny and participation.
    More details of this reform appear on the current tomgruchy blog together with an interview with Constable Crowcroft who agrees with the opening up of the Committee....

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  4. Just let the States decide what to do.

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  5. It is wrong for any politician to vote for reform, no other country that holds a fair system does this, I am very proud that people like Nick are fighting for a fair way of organising reform. We have one shot at this, the Clothier and the Carswell were publicly slated in the JEP by Sir Philip Bailhache, he has twice done this, he will do it again, so he can't be left to Chair any reform, that is for an independent body. Julie

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  7. So is that it - job done - sit back and wait for our elected reps to do the right thing and support Dep Le Herissier in the States!!!!
    We must be joking.
    Shall I be the only person giving the hedgehog support from the public gallery of the States when this is debated - where will the rest of you democratic delusionists be?
    Where is our leadership on this issue from the "progressives"?

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