These are the words of an experienced leader

From Don Filleul.

I SHARE the widely expressed appreciation of the way in which the Lieutenant-Governor. Lieutenant-General Sir Andrew Ridgway, and his wife, Lady Ridgway, carried out their duties while presiding over the functions of their office for five highly successful years – a difficult act to follow indeed.

However, my purpose in writing is more concerned with the valuable ‘parting shots’ he directed in his departing moments.

I listened with growing admiration to Sir Andrew’s address to the States. His grasp of the way in which its Members, among other misdirected decisions, lost the great opportunities offered by the Clothier Report, is noteworthy and reminded me of the cherry-picking manner in which they effectively destroyed proposals which were designed to set up really effective government.

Persuaded by eloquent but misdirected demands for ‘democracy’, they first set aside the vital privilege of the Chief Minister to select his own ministerial team – the only way to empower an elected leader to create a governing body that would carry out his policies. They then entirely misinterpreted the role of ‘Scrutiny’, developing it as a destructive and often politically suspect opposition instead of the ‘critical friend’ function which the first Chief Minister, Frank Walker, repeatedly, and eventually wistfully, claimed was its intended role.

Sir Andrew made clear his opinion of the way in which certain Members and groups were making an undesirable contribution to the government of their Island and made a number of courageous and welcome comments.

I would wish to give it in the strongest possible terms of recommendation that his speech is printed and circulated, not only to the membership but also via your columns to the general public and especially those who aspire to election in the near future.

Here are the comments of an experienced, wise and far-seeing leader and if they are disregarded by States Members it will be at their peril and, particularly, to that of the Island they are elected to govern.