In the course of pursuing the latest episode of increasing international interest in Establishment Party abuse of the Jersey 'justice' system on Sunday evening Deputy Mike Higgins and myself found ourselves sipping coffee in the bar of the Atlantic Hotel. To those not aware this an award-winning luxury hotel on the Island's West coast.
Very nice. Very exclusive. And not surprisingly very, very expensive. As was to soon unfold it also just happened to be the venue selected for a slap up dinner by the Four Horsemen of Democratic Apocalypse who mistakenly believe they are Jersey's Chosen Elite: both real and pretend Chief Ministers Bailhache and Gorst; Establishment Party Chief Whip, Senator Ozouf. And the Bailiff.
Don't mention the peasants or anything unsavoury like abuses of justice..
With the Lieutenant-Governor also invited along the purpose of this shindig was to spend the evening wining and dining the three visiting members of the Commons' Justice Select Committee. How nice to have the opportunity to bend the ear of the Committee for a whole evening as to the official propaganda that all within Jersey 'justice' is fine and dandy - a veritable beacon of democracy to quote former Senator, Jim Perchard!
After all, the other 48 States Members were having to make do with a stage-managed solitary hour the following day and not even getting a glass of water let alone a Banana Daiquiri. A solitary hour where States Members had already been warned by Team Feudal that they mustn't mention anything embarrassing like local injustice cases! Okay, so as it happened only 17 of your elected representatives actually cared enough about justice; child abuse cover-ups and the like to turn up the following day - but more on that in Part 2 on Wednesday.
Come and enjoy the wonderfully bracing Jersey air...
Still, to cut a long story short having said a polite 'hello' to two of the Chief Minister's vast army of helpers who were awaiting the arrival of Team Feudal; Deputy Higgins and I found ourselves discussing next week's questions and such forth in the Hotel bar. A very nice and warm retreat from the howling South-Westerly gale blowing across the headland outside.
Indeed, the perfect spot you might think for the UK politicians to be afforded the opportunity for a quick and friendly chat with two real peoples' politicians before the Great and the Good took them off to dinner. Alas it was not to be
Its 'us' and 'them' - but please don't tell Them we said it...
For as soon as Jersey's Finest arrived instead of the convivial warmth of the bar they and their officers whisked the Committee away...out into the elements of the freezing, windswept Hotel terrace! Yes, a terrace on which - for some strange reason I cannot even contemplate the group stayed - sipping equally cold drinks for the better part of around 40 long minutes.
Whatever could the UK dignitaries have thought of Jersey hospitality, Mike and I wondered? Were the pair of us really so dangerous; so revolutionary in our evidence-based opinions that we needed to be given a very wide birth? We can, of course, only guess.
If this is the broad, cross-section view by which Westminster assesses the state of Jersey democracy no wonder writing to Lord McNally is a total waste of time...
For as we finally watched the windswept Gang of Four and their shivering, and possibly even bemused guests troop back in once their table was ready; it must be said not a single one would meet our gaze. Not a smile. Not a nod. Not even a polite 'Hello colleagues - fancy seeing you two peasants at a posh joint like this?' We instead found ourselves left with the uncomfortable feeling that perhaps the Great and the Good had something to hide?
And truth be told we doubted it was just the size of the dinner and wine bill - suggested by an individual who shall remain nameless lest the boys be sent 'round - to be up in the region of some £700.
After all, in these times of global economic austerity and government enforced pay-freezes if this £700 figure is anything like accurate I'm sure the likes of Jersey's wonderful, but struggling nurses and their public sector colleagues would all understand. Wouldn't they?
And we can always ask questions about who was making such sterling use of taxpayers' money next week...
And we can always ask questions about who was making such sterling use of taxpayers' money next week...
Keep the Faith.
*I'll tell you about Monday's meeting and the 17 of your politicians who bothered to turn up to argue for your interests on Wednesday.
