The selection of qualified deputies is the only reform needed

The objectives published by these new groups are in the main non-contentious, having previously been agreed in the Policy & Resources plan. As expected, growing and diversifying the economy, and supporting the development of local businesses are re-confirmed as the top priorities, since a thriving economy is the lifeblood of any community.

The present situation

Unfortunately, most deputies are not business people. So they need to have regular and ongoing consultations and dialogue with the business community through consultative committees, advisory boards, working parties and the like. This is well understood and practised in Jersey, but not over here. Our Assembly is hostile to business and commerce – another bad sign of burgeoning leftist ideology? – and the Economic Development Committee president himself refuses closer ties between the public and private sectors, considering the creation of a joint board or forum ‘a step too far’ (Guernsey Press, 23 January).

So the Assembly remains out of touch with the economic difficulties facing the island and does not make the right policy decisions, as shown in the population management licensing, and the open market housing, for example. As a matter of interest, how many local businesses (covering all sectors, and from the largest company to the sole trader) has each deputy visited in the first quarter of this current year?

Do we, the Guernsey public, really appreciate our self-inflicted drawback caused by the widening divide between, on the one hand, the professionalism, skills and expertise found in the private sector and senior civil service and, on the other hand, our uneducated representatives, many of whom cannot grasp the advantages of public/private partnerships, boards and advisory committees, so necessary in order to remain at the forefront of global competition?

The recently launched Guernsey Investment Fund to facilitate innovation, and the HSC initiative to drive change in priority service areas, show the benefits of such cooperation between the public, private and third sector. Still a very short list indeed.

The cause of inefficient government lies solely with the deputies. Most of them are out of their depth and their lack of knowledge on most issues is evident in many of their speeches full of nonsense and political cliches. Their deficiencies make them unfit to govern the island. As one deputy puts it: they are amateurs.

Yet these deficient deputies cannot be blamed for their predicament, since it is we, the people, who elected them. So it is our problem to sort out, not the government’s problem. (We won’t get turkeys voting for Christmas).

The case for qualification

Deputies’ qualification is the missing ingredient in achieving efficient, nimble and proactive government.

Internships, work placements and mentoring with members of the Chamber of Commerce and other employers could be a good starting point as candidates would gain some much-needed insight into the local economy and the challenges faced by the business leaders. Better-informed deputies will be better placed to deliver the right framework for our island economy.

We, the voters, need to set the minimum requirements (job description?) for the position of deputy.

What other job pays a very handsome £37,600 for no qualification whatsoever other than winning more votes than the next candidate? We are certainly not getting value for money.

Candidates’ qualification for the next general election is an important issue and needs to be discussed; yet to date reference to the lack of qualification has only been made by Richard Digard (Guernsey Press, 9 February 2018) and by Horace Camp (Guernsey Press, 29 March 2018). Looking for suitably qualified candidates would not be specific to Guernsey. Jersey’s Chamber of Commerce is also urging people to stand and vote to ensure that enough ‘commercially savvy candidates’ are elected to their Assembly.

Another item for discussion could be the reduction in the number of deputies. Obtaining consensus would be easier, and policy decisions and their implementation would be improved. Why do we need 38 deputies to serve a population of just 63,000, when Jersey manages with 29 deputies for a population of 100,000?

Retaining independent deputies

For many decades Guernsey has thrived with an Assembly made up of independent deputies.

Consensus government and the absence of party politics suit our small island and made it prosperous. We should keep it that way. As Horace Camp says, it is ‘a part of Guernsey culture we don’t want to give up’. The cause of recent island-wide dissatisfaction with politics has to be properly analysed: mostly left-leaning deputies intent on introducing party politics and tribalism, settling a score, and creating division within the Assembly, manipulating the system to their own egocentric ends.

We need to be clear that partisan groupings introducing new political ideas will do nothing to improve and strengthen our economy.

We, as a fiscally independent island, do not have the benefit of big brother ready to assist us in times of need. We have to stand on our own two feet, and this requires a common sense, practical approach to the needs of our island’s economy – not political speeches.

Fortunately, the island has been well managed in the past, and until just a few years ago. Now we need to look for independent candidates of the right calibre for the 2020 election with a good grounding in, and fully conversant with, the island’s fast-changing economic landscape.

We either move forward or we fall backwards.

When all is said and done (or not), the island has the government it deserves. And if we, the voters, are happy with electing representatives with no skills and ability, and unable to provide the right support for our all-important economy, we should not then bemoan our inefficient and navel-gazing Assembly.

PHIL DUPRE,

Address withheld.