Conflicts of interest need to be avoided
ONE election candidate at the hustings, in response to a question about the legalisation of cannabis, expressed concerns about what such legislation may do to Guernsey's image and reputation, because as a finance centre we are dependent on having a good reputation. Obviously to maintain a good reputation we need to adhere to the principles of good governance, one of the cornerstones of which is to avoid conflicts of interest wherever possible. It was interesting to note, in your business pages, senior Ogier lawyer Claire Smith's observation that the Sam Allardyce sting would have not caused many ripples had he been a low-ranked club manager. The point being, as I understand it, that not only he was high profile, but he was seemingly telling people how to get around his employer's rules. In other words, he was conflicted and, together with a high profile, it was a recipe for a major scandal. Irrespective of the fact that Allardyce was almost certainly sacked for telling the truth, this is a valid observation.
We know all about this in Guernsey, of course. Who can forget the conflicts of interest dramas involving Stuart Falla and Peter Harwood which led to their ministerial resignations?
So why did our electorate see fit to appoint Michelle Le Clerc into the States, and, more to the point, why did the States subsequently bestow the role of President of the Committee for Employment & Social Security on Deputy Le Clerc?
The reason I ask is that appointing a current banker into such a senior role was a high-risk manoeuvre. (In fact, any banker in government is questionable given the mess they have made of the global economy, which has plunged governments into debt.)
It hasn't taken long for the folly of the States' decision to be exposed. It is fairly well known, and neither has she ever tried to hide the fact, that Deputy Le Clerc is an employee (a corporate and social responsibility manager, if the net is to be believed) of bankers Investec. And who, according to Deloitte's September report (p6), are Providence's bankers? Investec.
Oh and one final thing – who was this shrewd candidate who spoke of the importance of protecting our reputation at the hustings? Er . . . Deputy Le Clerc.
MATT WATERMAN,
Flat 2,
3, Burnt Lane,
St Peter Port,
GY1 1HL.
Editor's footnote: Deputy Michelle Le Clerc replies:
Your correspondent is right about the importance of our finance industry's reputation. He suggests it is best protected by excluding anyone with current finance industry experience from government. I disagree. Relevant business experience is very important.
I continue to hold a part-time role at Investec, working only 10 hours maximum a week. My role is not operational, instead I focus solely on developing the company's corporate social responsibility activity. This mainly comprises coordinating our staff's volunteering activities, previously at Amherst School and now with La Mare de Carteret Primary School. The activities include helping run a breakfast club, coding club, maths recovery sessions and gardening club.
Following my election to the States, I made the conscious decision to continue with my very part-time role, simply because I enjoy it, I value Investec and its staff and believe in its CSR ethos. It is disappointing that your correspondent has sought to use what is at best a very tenuous link, given my current role. Unfortunately, this sort of innuendo seems to be a sign of the times in which we live.
