For those who missed the rally, we have a copy of one of the speeches from one of the organisers. We will try to get the other ones up over the next day or two.


It was put to me by a Radio Jersey presenter, a while back, that the reason that so many people in Jersey do not vote may be that they are satisfied with their government, and so they feel absolutely no need for change.

For a short time, I entertained this possibility. Was the reason that Jersey sees turnouts of 25 – 30% elections actually a positive thing? Is the shamefully low turnout of 18% of registered St Helier voters in January’s Election a glowing endorsement of our excellent system?

If they were so satisfied with the government, why were they constantly speaking out against them: on issues such as the Waterfront, when public land worth millions of pounds was given away to private developers? Why were they protesting in their thousands at the introduction of GST, a regressive tax which asked old age pensioners to pay 3% extra and their milk, bread and tea and single mothers to pay even more for basic essentials such as nappies, children’s clothes and food?

Why were internet groups and blogs springing up left, right and centre, criticising our island’s leader for his incompetent spin, and seemingly callous prioritisation of Jersey’s image over the welfare of its own people?

Empirical evidence brought me to the conclusion that the people of Jersey, far from being happy with the current set up, were actually very disillusioned with it. The reason people were not voting was because they have come to believe the old chestnut, that voting changes nothing. The trouble is, in Jersey this is very near the truth.

After all, what is the use in having a voice if no-one is listening? What is the point in voting if the Government will over-rule the will of the people?

No. We are not content. We are demoralised and frightened.
Demoralised, because we feel as if our opinions do not count and frightened, because we fear we may lose our jobs if we say the wrong thing.

It is a shocking indictment, not only to the Island’s Establishment, but also to our complacent local media, that we have to look to the English media, indeed to a right-wing newspaper to be reminded of the truth about our government:

Quoting from the Telegraph….

"There are no checks and balances from outside, and some of the most important work, such as choosing the chief minister, is carried out in secret. The island's politicians, judges, policemen and business leaders are also drawn from a small pool, with many being relatives or lifelong friends.

For example, Frank Walker, the island's chief minister, was until recently chairman of the company that owns Jersey's only newspaper, the Evening Post. The bailiff, the equivalent of the Speaker in the House of Commons, is also the head of the judiciary. The attorney general, whose job is to give the bailiff impartial legal advice on prosecutions, is his brother. And so the list goes on."

People, this is, frankly, an embarrassment.

What was has our media been doing for all these years. Why did they not bring these issues up? Cleary it is because, they too are victims of the culture of fear that has been allowed to continue in Jersey. Rather than speaking out against the injustices of this island, both socially and politically, they have actually been the mouthpiece for it.

Countries all around the world are embracing change and democracy, they have a curious media, with investigative journalists asking hard questions, that make them uncomfortable. Not in Jersey. Instead we have rich old men. Instead we have spin. Instead we have manipulation.

People of Jersey, our government has failed us, and will continue to fail us, unless we speak out against it.

To the Government of Jersey. We implore you. Listen to your people. Do not be deaf to the voice of youth. A new voice is crying out in the political wilderness of our island. Do not ignore it, for it is the voice that asks for justice – social and political.

Now, after the bleakness of winter, as we approach springtime, let us consider the humble daffodil as a symbol of new life, of hope and rejuvenation. Let us all hope for a better, fairer society. Where the whole of the Jersey community feels represented, not just a select few.

Speech given by Montfort Tadier, Saturday 8th March, 2008

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