SEASONAL goodwill extended to all men in the States yesterday when the keenly awaited Christmas speeches passed without incident.
Father of the House Senator Stuart Syvret, pictured, avoided controversy when giving his seasonal speech – unlike 12 months ago when he used the occasion to discuss issues surrounding the historical child abuse inquiry and attacked the ‘political establishment’ for its failure to protect children. A year ago, he was cut off from finishing his address by the Bailiff, Sir Philip Bailhache, who had asked him to stop several times.
But this year Sir Philip agreed with everything Senator Syvret said during his address. Sir Philip said: ‘It must be a rare event when I say that Senator Syvret made a speech that I would say not a word of which I disagreed with and I express the hope that will continue in 2009.’
As the longest continuously serving Senator, Senator Syvret was called upon to offer Christmas greetings, as were the longest-serving Deputy and Constable. In his address, Senator Syvret urged politicians to respond to the needs of those suffering from hardship, poverty and social dysfunction in the Island.
