Lambs to the slaughter was one of the phrases used by a sympathiser and given the abject performances of most of our elected representatives when faced with awkward questions – no matter who is asking them – I am inclined to agree. Indeed, as one of the old lads remarked during the discussion, most of them would have difficulty in persuading a nun to go to mass, even if the Pope was presiding.
Put bluntly, I have little confidence that those likely to face the media on this occasion will be anything other than out of their depth, totally and absolutely, and to be honest, no amount of last-minute training by a United Kingdom communications company with former Downing Street spin doctor Alastair Campbell as one of its advisers will be able to alter that situation. In fact, it may well make matters worse and particularly so if they seek to put a spin on either the report’s findings or their responses to them.
Additionally, the involvement of yet another bunch of so-called experts from the United Kingdom provides yet further evidence – not that much is needed – that the policy of paying people among the highest public sector salaries in the British Isles just doesn’t work. If it did then the expertise needed to advise politicians and senior pinstripes to stick to the truth, even when it’s unpalatable, and don’t try to be too clever, would be here within the States employ.
It’s also an indication of an obvious lack of confidence in the small army of spin doctors and nurses currently employed in a number of States departments, not to mention a slap in the face for the local individuals and firms who are at least as qualified to provide the level of advice and expertise needed as is any outfit from London.
The problem here, I’m afraid, is one of mindset because the great and the good, be they the political or the executive, have become far too used to picking up a phone or writing an email to ask a mate in England ‘who’s the best lot to talk to about…?’
And it seems that invariably the response suggests someone from at least a hundred miles to the north.
THE more I read the observations from Deputy Tracy Vallois, the more I believe that it’s high time she was given a job which has a seat back on the Council of Ministers. Talk about the ability to hit nails on the head, this particular Deputy seems to have it in bucket loads.
Speaking last week in support of the proposal to delay the debate on hospital funding, she had this to say: ‘It does us no good, nor does it place us in a good light, by blaming one another for our failures as a collective group of grown adults. Is it not time that all sides of the States Assembly started to respect each other and recognise that we are not all equal in resources and support to achieve the desired result and therefore some things need to be delayed, not because of political point scoring but because it will assist in better decision making?’
The last time I made a similar comment about Deputy Vallois someone accused me of being either her campaign manager or part of her family. Just for the record, I am neither and to the best of my knowledge have never either met or spoken to her. What I do know is that she seems to me to be a very level headed States Member who has the ability – rare in the Big House as presently constituted – to hit nails on the head wherever and whenever they need hitting, and that’s something I admire. As I said, given the paucity of talent currently keeping their backsides warm on the plush seats in the cabinet office – and in some cases doing precious little else – they could do a lot worse than offer her a place, if only to issue reminders about what they’re all there for.
And finally… I’ve just looked at the fishing gear in The Shed and it’s in good order. Well, there’s nothing else to do now there’ll be wall to wall election coverage on the idiot box.
