THERE’S always been a bit of glamour missing from Jersey politics.
And even with the addition of presenters like Russell Labey, Murray Norton and Peter ‘Mac’ McLinton to the Deputy ranks in recent years, we could still do with a bit more pizzazz, glamour and sparkle.
And no, I don’t just mean a return of ex-Senator Terry Le Main and his jazzy socks and ties, or asking Deputy Judy Martin to up the glitter or Senator Alan Maclean to find a new funky magic ringbinder capable of conjuring up some more new parks and whatnot.
But Deputy Labey himself may have come up with just the (golden) ticket – an X Factor contest for the top job in Jersey politics.
The Deputy has lodged a proposition calling for the public to have a say in the election of the next Chief Minister.
He has proposed that after the next election in May 2018 the new House is asked who it would choose for the job.
Candidates who get the support of 18 or more of their fellow States Members would then go head-to-head in a public vote – à la the live X Factor shows. There would even, the Deputy says, be scope for a live debate streamed over the internet, which I’d like to think could include some kind of sing/dance-off element.
If only one candidate gets more than 18 votes from the Assembly then they would automatically be elected Chief Minister.
As we know with shows like X Factor, Love Island and Britain’s Got Talent, the public love to feel like they can make a difference – as they say on ITV the ‘power is in your hands’.
And I imagine that we in Jersey are no different. So long as you don’t ask us about the new hospital plans (hardly anyone has responded to the consultation), or to go to yet another meeting about States reform, that is.
But we love a bit of drama as much as the next person, and a head-to-head live final for the job of Chief Minister sounds like it could be a lot of fun.
Hey, if I had my way it would follow a Miss World contest style, with different challenges for sports, talent, social media and fashion, albeit perhaps leaving out the swimsuit category.
Or how about an I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here twist? I bet there’s a fair few Islanders who would love to vote for who takes part in some special bushtucker trials.
And there’s definitely some merit in trying out The Voice approach where judges (voters) aren’t allowed to see the performer (candidates) until after they have heard what they sound like.
Of course, I’m having a bit of fun.
But that’s my very point – we need something to liven things up, stir them up even. Because Jersey politics has gone a bit stale.
At least Deputy Labey is having a go at how that could be achieved. And with his stage and screen background, it is no wonder that plan includes a bit of drama.
Meanwhile this week, Deputy Sam Mézec has lodged an amendment to another of Deputy Labey’s propositions, this time about the appointment of Scrutiny panel chairmen and women.
The original proposition argues that ministers should not be allowed to vote for the head of the panel which will be responsible for scrutinising their department. However, Deputy Mézec goes even further and suggests that no ministers should be able to vote for any Scrutiny chairs full stop.
He argues: ‘The Council of Ministers works together as a team and shares in their successes and failures together. A blunder from one minister inevitably reflects badly on the whole council and, from time to time, it may be necessary for Scrutiny to highlight a blunder in a way which could cause embarrassment to the entire government. It is vital that Scrutiny is independent and able to act without fear or favour to objectively scrutinise ministers’ policies and outcomes.’
He is right on many levels, of course. But his amendment and indeed the proposition that proceeds it is a sad reflection on a Council of Ministers that has lost the trust of its Assembly.
It is no coincidence that this move is on the table now rather than five years ago, or even when ministerial government was first introduced in 2005.
We must be careful, however, that we don’t end up tarring all future councils with the same brush before they have the chance to prove themselves.
