Deputy has poor track record in leadership roles

The last time she had a major presidency was in the noughties, when she was made Guernsey’s Social Security minister. That didn’t end well and she had to be replaced part way through her term by Deputy Diane Lewis.

In the meantime, she presided over the most calamitous major IT programme in the history of the States – a cost of millions to the public purse and achieving a fraction of what it was meant to.

Of course she was also the long-serving chair of the Women’s Refuge until an external review showed how badly that was being run and it had to be taken over by Safer.

Incidentally Deputy Lowe refused to release this damning report. It was eventually leaked to the media.

Now an HMI report has spelt it out once again. Instead of concentrating on long-term strategic policy at Home Affairs, she has been meddling in detailed operational matters which shouldn’t concern her. Effectively, she and her committee have been getting under the feet of the Police and Border Agency while failing to provide the strategic leadership the department so badly needs.

HMI are the leading experts in the field and know what they are talking about. They have stressed a change of approach is needed within months.

Deputy Lowe’s reaction? A shrug of the shoulders and a dismissal of the timetables directed in the report as impractical.

I am sure there is a role for Deputy Lowe in the States. Someone has to ensure a sufficient degree of negativity in the chamber. What is increasingly clear is that she is not to be trusted with a leadership role.

LILY LE SAUVAGE,

Address withheld.

Editor’s footnote: Deputy Mary Lowe, president of the Committee for Home Affairs, responds:

While always disappointing when any member of the community is denigrated in such a way, unfortunately it’s become a sad fact of being a local politician in recent years. I’ll keep my response brief as it’s safe to say I strongly disagree with your correspondent. It’s important not to rewrite history. The Social Security computer system was not a calamity, although it did go significantly over its budget estimates. The system went live in 2006, without any teething problems, and has reliably delivered pensions and other benefits ever since.

As for the Refuge allegations, I was fortunate to serve on the board with some very eminent people who I believe had their credibility questioned very unfairly indeed. I welcome the inspection report by HMIC and the committee has already signalled our commitment to delivering its recommendations. We also welcome the opportunity to appear at a public Scrutiny hearing to further clarify our position on the report.