THE first debate of the first States sitting of the new political year, which begins tomorrow, will include addressing an unedifying spat between two Members which has led to one of them facing a vote of censure – in essence a mechanism to give a Member an official ‘ticking off’.
The States Assembly’s own housekeeping panel, the Privileges and Procedures Committee, lodged the censure motion after the independent commissioner who monitors the standards of politicians’ behaviour ruled that Deputy Max Andrews had breached several articles of the Members’ Code of Conduct.
In addition to the vote of censure, the committee requested Deputy Andrews to apologise to the Assembly for his behaviour by way of a personal statement.
He will give that statement immediately before the censure debate tomorrow.
The details of the spat will no doubt be aired during the debate but, in simple terms, it involves Deputy Andrews acting inappropriately towards Deputy Moz Scott.
Deputy Scott was also found to have breached the Members’ Code of Conduct for swearing at Deputy Andrews, but PPC has agreed with the commissioner’s recommendation that she writes a personal letter of apology to Deputy Andrews.
Deputy Andrews features several times on tomorrow’s official Order Paper. In addition to the personal statement and vote of censure, he will officially resign from the Public Accounts Committee and present a proposition which called for stamp duty to rise on properties sold for over £2m, which is supported by ministers.
Other debates include one initiated by Deputy Rob Ward, who wants to increase this year’s Christmas Bonus by £29.32 to £114.19, and another brought forward by Deputy Lyndon Farnham, who wants to create a mechanism to provide funding for Islanders affected by local disasters.
Questions to be posed in the Assembly include Deputy Beatriz Porée asking Health Minister Karen Wilson about disposable vapes, Deputy Ward asking the chair of the States Employer Board – Chief Minister Kristina Moore – about the forthcoming teachers’ strike, and Deputy Lyndsay Feltham asking Assistant Chief Minister Lucy Stephenson about the number of civil servants working in communications’ roles.
Those facing ‘questions without notice’ are Education Minister Inna Gardiner, Treasury Minister Ian Gorst and, as per every meeting, the Chief Minister.
The sitting begins at 9.30am tomorrow.
