Deputy has shown honesty, tenacity and resilience
WHAT A relief. Sympathy and probity prevailed and the beleaguered Deputy Andy Cameron received backing from fair-minded colleagues of the Assembly. It must have been a strain on the Deputy’s mental health. What is it with some Deputies that they have this fetish, bordering on paranoia, for secrecy? They are elected by Guernsey people, their salaries are paid by Guernsey people, and the policies decided on, in committee, to be ratified by the Assembly are paid for by Guernsey people. Yet, we are continually treated as the baddies. Conspirators, not to be trusted, and not to be told anything about what concerns us in these times of austerity.
Or is a lust for power the motivation? Subjecting an individual to the twin evils of ostracism and isolation (controlling measures beloved of non-democratic regimes) because he can’t, in all good conscience, toe the line just to keep the peace and pocket his salary the easy way is draconian to say the least. Deputy Cameron must have laudable high standards (a concept lost on some Deputies) and he shouldn’t be metaphorically bludgeoned into submission for having different views.
I doubt the rest of ESC would relish such malevolent treatment, especially when they displayed such self-righteous umbrage when they were lightly reproved or playfully joshed in the Richard Graham column. If you can’t take it, don’t dish it out. The people have a right to know what’s going on, they’re paying for it. The editor of the GEP has a right to know what’s going on, so he can inform his readership of the current political affairs, which we all have an interest in. He who pays the piper calls the tune is as relevant today as it ever was. Guernsey people hate screens of secrecy and subterfuge.
I hope this shabby, internecine few members hasn’t deterred Deputy Cameron from standing in the next election. He’s demonstrated honesty, tenacity and resilience and I’m sure the electorate won’t forget that.
JILL MARTEL