By Carl Parslow
I ATTENDED the Chamber of Commerce lunch on 11 January. I couldn’t help but marvel at the wealth of talent gathered in the room. Highly successful business leaders from all sectors were present, each with a unique set of skills and experiences.
As I looked around, I found myself questioning why such individuals, who possess the expertise to lead and manage successfully, are not actively involved in assisting with the Island’s governance.
One question that kept running through my mind was why this talent can’t be actively tapped into for the betterment of the Island? Jersey has, for its size, a relatively large pool of highly skilled individuals who understand finance and economics, possess business acumen, are acutely aware of the benefits of good governance and are, by their very nature, exceptional leaders.
I conducted a very basic straw poll, definitely not scientific, but I don’t think the answers would be much different even if it was. My main question was: Would they stand as a Jersey politician? Answers to this question ranged from “why would I put myself through that?” through to “no chance”. There were also a couple of slightly more colourful responses. Not one person I spoke to had any inclination to stand as a politician.
Perhaps one reason can be answered by the following: recently, I spoke with a group of individuals who, when asked about their participation in the voting process, candidly admitted that they were in Jersey primarily for the salary and were not interested in the Island’s medium or long-term well-being. Shockingly, they revealed that if things were to go awry, they had contingency plans to relocate their businesses elsewhere. While this is perhaps not a general theme, it is an issue.
Perhaps another reason is the relentless scrutiny that politicians face from the general public. The scrutiny is not limited to traditional face-to-face encounters but extends to the digital realm, where social media platforms amplify criticism. In the small community of Jersey, where personal connections are prevalent, the prospect of facing public criticism directly can be daunting.
Potential leaders may fear the personal toll that political engagement can take on their relationships within the community and indeed on their future professional careers. The fear of strained friendships, strained family ties, or even becoming a target of public frustration can dissuade capable individuals from stepping forward. Politicians often become targets of online harassment, character attacks, and even threats, creating a hostile environment that must discourage potential candidates from entering the political arena.
In my view one thing is for certain, Jersey politics must move away from voting purely on the basis of popularity, because in reality that is precisely what we do. If you take a step back and think about the process leading up to an election, a prospective politician will produce a manifesto, within which the policies set out are invariably “wish lists” that never come to fruition. Many who try to convince us that they will “make the world a better place” have no experience in business, let alone politics.
To be blunt, the absence of talented leaders results in mediocre governance. Skilled leaders are essential for effective decision-making, policy formulation, and the overall administration of public affairs. Without them, the quality of governance suffers. Kevin Keen, together with the Leadership Jersey team, has been making these points for some time.
Currently we have a situation where inexperienced and unqualified (for the role) politicians can find themselves heading important ministries and making decisions that impact on us all. We don’t even know what direction they may take once “in seat”. I doubt they even cross-reference back to their manifestoes. They are not accountable to us, the electorate. Who are they actually accountable to?
Take a step back and ask yourself if this is the way to run a multi-million-pound organisation. In the “real world” the head of any private corporation would be recruited for their leadership skills and impressive CV. In turn, the head would recruit or remove senior executives. Do these corporations make such appointments on the basis of popularity alone with no experience or qualification?
The vote of no confidence has highlighted the mess Jersey is in politically. We have a lack of direction, impacting productivity and progress. We have low morale, which runs the risk of diminishing engagement and creativity. We have poor decision-making and mismanagement which jeopardises overall performance. We have an absence of innovation and economic development (away from the finance industry), but we do have increased red tape which is stifling growth and adaptability. All in all, a toxic environment which is not good for the future prosperity of Jersey.
For those who believe the Jersey Way no-party politics is best, just consider the power the Reform party has wielded in the last couple of weeks, and especially on 16 January with the vote of no confidence.
Whether you are a supporter or not, the fact is the Reform party have their act together. They have experienced leaders. They act in unity and have collective policy. The mere fact that they set out policies in advance ultimately means the electorate can hold them to account. A political party is always going to be stronger and more effective than individuals, each plying for their own advantages and points of view.
Ultimately, if we continue with the Jersey Way no-party politics is best, there is a fair chance we will see the Reform Party taking political control of Jersey at the next election. That may or may not end up a good thing. Ultimately the choice is ours.
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Born and educated in the Island, Carl Parslow is an experienced Jersey Advocate and notary public with over 25 years’ experience. He heads up Parslows LLP business legal services department, advising corporates and individuals on a range of issues with a particular emphasis on acting for Jersey owner-managed businesses. Outside of work, he enjoys rugby and cycling with Lasardines.
