Deputies call Cameron ESC exclusion ‘harsh’

Education, Sport & Culture took the step to use Rule 49 to exclude Deputy Cameron from its meetings because he disagrees with the secondary education model it is trying to introduce, and backed an alternative proposal in the States.

The committee sought advice from HM Comptroller Robert Titterington over the use of Rule 49, which advises that members must not participate in discussions in which they hold a ‘special interest’. The advice, which has not been published, despite requests from the Guernsey Press yesterday, appeared to support the committee’s view.

Political colleagues who have been at odds with their committees shared their experiences and opinions yesterday.

Deputy Marc Leadbeater, pictured, said he did not think the rule should apply in this circumstance.

‘The fact that Deputy Cameron has a different opinion on secondary education and Rule 49 is applied I find a bit odd,’ he said.

‘In the States chamber you can declare an interest and then still speak about it, and I don’t see why it should be different at committee – there does seem a mismatch.’

He said that he had himself been excluded from committee discussions due to Rule 49 in the past.

‘I had an issue during my time on Home Affairs due to my involvement in the cannabis industry, and found myself excluded even if the question was about legal enforcement.’

He said he had previously spoken to Deputy Carl Meerveld in his role as president of the States Assembly & Constitution Committee about how Rule 49 was applied.

Deputy Andrew Taylor, who had a long-running issue with the Development & Planning Authority after a bid was made to unseat him as its vice-president, said that using Rule 49 to prohibit Deputy Cameron appeared to be an unreasonably strict interpretation of the rules.

‘I don’t know the specific circumstances, but it does seem to set a worrying precedent, and it wouldn’t be a decision I would support,’ he said, ‘Is disagreeing a “special interest”? It is worrying step.’

Deputy Taylor said he intended to do some research into the matter and may raise questions at the next sitting of the States, although this was several weeks away.

Deputy Simon Vermeulen, who described the decision as harsh, said he believed the idea of politics was to have different views.

‘The further I go into politics the more interested I am in hearing new viewpoints. On Economic Development there are different viewpoints and we are allowed to express them. Just because someone else has a different view it doesn’t mean its wrong. It doesn’t hurt to discuss and listen.’

He has dissented from the committee’s position not to consider extending the airport runway and threatened to take an amendment to the debate in the States.