Hustings

[ryanmorrison]

We've just recieved the hustings schedule

www.bbc.co.uk/jersey/content/articles/2008/09/17/vote08_hustings_feature.shtml

[ryanmorrison]

BBC Radio Jersey will be recording the St Saviour Hustings on 7th October for broadcast on 12th October and will be broadcasting the St Brelade Hustings live.

Both will also be available to listen again on the BBC Jersey website.

[cyfrin]

Eagerly awaiting to hear about the first one at St Clement last night!

[markforskitt]

One thing about the hustings that really astounded me was the number of sitting deputies and senators (not all) who have read out the same speech every time. A few notes on cards -fine, but to read the same thing from paper every time. Staggering. One of the skills you need in a proper assembly is to respond to others and counter the points they make. I could understand it might be necessary to have a statement if dealing with a complex brief out of ones normal remit, but when its a hustings and you are talking of your own background and manifesto it pretty darned amateur.

[eastrock]

Sept 28, 2008 17:04:04 GMT @davroslesueur said:

I agree with Mark on this.
Some of them are so sure they will get elected they are not bothering.

I like what Mark is putting forward and I have to say Nick Palmer and Daniel Wimberly too.
The incinerator has become a big topic, probably just behind GST.

The incinerator is a big topic, but is it big enough to become a vote winner? Do people care enough?

[markforskitt]

Sept 28, 2008 18:05:12 GMT @eastrock said:

Sept 28, 2008 17:04:04 GMT @davroslesueur said:

I agree with Mark on this.
Some of them are so sure they will get elected they are not bothering.

I like what Mark is putting forward and I have to say Nick Palmer and Daniel Wimberly too.
The incinerator has become a big topic, probably just behind GST.

The incinerator is a big topic, but is it big enough to become a vote winner? Do people care enough?

I am sure they care enough. The question is what is the alternative, and do they find it credible. I'm still trying to do my research on that. The middle of an election is not the best time to be doing it.

[nickpalmer]

Sept 28, 2008 18:05:12 GMT @eastrock said:

The incinerator is a big topic, but is it big enough to become a vote winner? Do people care enough?

Well it's fairly big but what should make it huge is the way it encapsulates the short term view of the States. Nothing demonstrates the colossal ignorance of the majority of the States as to what needs to be done to weather the storms of climate change, peak oil, financial instability and overpopulation than this issue. Briefly, we need to treat the production, use and ultimate disposal of materials vastly differently to how we do it now in order that we can achieve a long term sustainable society. Building a huge incinerator is breathtakingly stupid and literally is counter productive to that aim...

[crappogre]

I'm getting fed up with hearing Troy go on about the Police motorcycle unit, what a feeble attempt at populist vote-mongering. We've managed perfectly well without the unit, yet he knows that a lot of people could be easily swayed by that sort of thing. Shabby.

St.Saviour's last night was the perfect establishment choice for a BBC recording with a well behaved audience. A small venue, packed in, with limited close parking to put off any out of parish rowdies, cramped standing room only at the back, in a majestic old hall with just one entrance up some sumptuously carpetted stairs with a large number of honouries in uniform at the door - psychologically it absolutely screamed "Behave yourself!". Not exactly conducive to cheers and jeers, really.

Fergy looked bored to tears, and I'm not surprised.

[kaspar]

Good to have an unofficial account of the hustings - thanks! Is there anywhere where all of the answers to all of the questions, or even an mp3 of the hustings can be read/heard?

JEP only ever seems to skim over things and select one question to summarise.

[Bea]

I have noticed the skimming over of questions too .Notice how they post the least contentious issues like bus services and avoid the more pressing issues to do with the child abuse issues and the fact that the financial services industry might not be as secure as they would like us all to believe .?
Got to be a shake up in our present media ,we are not getting a true reflection of Island life.
The spin and propaganda is so obvious,and yet a vast precentage of the population fall for it,hook.line and sinker .

[eastrock]

Trinity Hustings

Having read all there is to read about the candidates, I went along to get a feel for them. I had to leave early but my time there was not wasted.

It was remarkable just how much brown nosing the GST 6 tried to white wash "The wonderful people of Trinity" with. It was embarrassing. Only the GST 6 used this tactic.

What was also a surprise to me, was how little the audience knew about the candidates. Mutterings of "who's this guy". It was quite clear that some people had come to this event and would decide on the back of it who to vote for without any further research.

This is how they came across to me personally.

Alan Breckon - Excellent, very well spoken, honest man

Cliff le Clercq - GSOH, honest, upfront would stand his ground

Nick le Cornu - Hmmmm, not for me.

Sarah Ferguson - Boring, boring, boring.

Mark Forskitt - Interesting guy, would work for providing renewable energy from tidal power. Liked him.

Mike Higgins - No nonsense, some great ideas, would be good for Jersey

Alan Maclean - I abstain to comment

Jeremy Macon - Oh dear! Stood in the middle of the hall and read from his script, USING HIS FINGER TO FOLLOW THE WORDS. Sounded like Aled from the Chris Moyles show. The COM would make mince meat of him. Hope to see him back next time though.
Nellie should of stood instead, she would of got my vote.

Ian le Marquand - When asked about internet gambling, he replied "I could see people stealing from their employers to fund their habits" (or words to that effect). Are you serious? Does he honestly believe we are all crooks that need to be controlled? Very frightening man.

Philip Ozouf - You can tell the pressure is on. And so it should be. Look at the mess we are in.

Nick Palmer - Well spoken, good policies, forward thinking.

Mick Pashley - "People have often asked me if I am taking this whole thing seriously" My thoughts exactly. Had nothing to offer.

Chris Perkins - A dark horse. Has failed to make an impression on anyone so far, from what I have seen/heard. Would like to know more.

Trevor Pitman - Came across as couldn't be bothered, moody and lack lustre. But I did like his speech about trust.

Paul Routier - Did not hear a word of what he said. Had to be nudged by my neighbour because I was snoring.

Geoff Southern - very passionate, has energy and believed in his cause.

Montfort Tadier - Very well spoken, this guy has done very well so far and he impressed me a lot.

Peter Troy - Nice-ish guy, but little to offer.

Mike Vibert -

Adrian Walsh - Damn this is going to hurt, ...... not bad. I can't help but thinking he is simply talking the talk. Was keen to see a growth in internet businesses. I'm sure you are Adrian.

Daniel Wimberly - Yes Daniel, we really do need to get back to basics and start, living, working and behaving like a community. Help each other out more, money is not the be all and end all. We do need to become more self sufficient and preserve our land for growing our own organic food and not building shoe boxes for outside investors. Are you the man to lead the way?

These are simply my observations of the evening. If you have not been to hustings yet. Go. It makes an awful lot of difference to hear these guys speak. Take some cotton wool though for the few moments when Mr Vibert opens his ************** gob!

[Bea]

Did Ferguson give the windows analogy thing again ?
That really irritates me,I have a house and can assure you,the maintenance of my windows comes very far down on my other financial priorities
While the rain stays out ,the windows will have to do ,more pressing bills to pay .
Really do think these people live in another World .
I know lots of pensioners who have struggled all their lives and have managed to buy a house over the years .They don;t have any money left to do any repairs ,never mind get new double glazing .!!!

[eastrock]

Oct 9, 2008 22:09:13 GMT Bea said:

Did Ferguson give the windows analogy thing again ?

She sure did Bea. ;D

[crappogre]

Oct 9, 2008 21:46:31 GMT @eastrock said:

Trevor Pitman - Came across as couldn't be bothered, moody and lack lustre. But I did like his speech about trust.

I won't say whether I agree or disagree on that
BUT remember he's standing as a party member - so judge him on party policies rather than personal stuff.
If you want more power to Geoff Southern style politics, then it's logical to support the JDA regardless of small doubts about the candidate's oratory performances. There aren't that many JDA members in the States, and on recent issues I've wished there were more like them in there!

[Bea]

Just a quick reminder for any one interested ,the St Saviour's husting will be played on radio Jersey tomorrow morning ,in place of the normal phone in .

[Bea]

Think Town will be a very good reflection of what your average person on the street is thinking .
Very hard not to heckle at hearing blatant lies and omissions on a daily basis from certain candidates .
The introduction of little snippets they creep in as a result of watching what goes down with the audience on previous nights hustings .

I think after these elections we should start our own speakers corner,say on a Saturday afternoon or Sunday in a public place like Royal square,or the fancy and aptly name Liberation Square.

Our elected need to engage more with the people .
They tend to closet themselves away once in ,and loose touch with reality ,or so it would appear from their actions and voting records .
Would also be a great opportunity for any aspiring new members to hone the craft of public speaking,would make more people interested,and would show the men from the boys.(or girls)

[mac]

Any news on tonights hustings

[eastrock]

It was certainly a lively affair with standing room only. All the GST 6 were heckled at every point.

Philip Ozouf shouted at the audience that he was the "best man to see us through this difficult time", with the audience shouting back, "you got us into these difficulties"

Mike Vibert was the only candidate to receive no clapping from anyone after his poor performance, but did have everyone in fits of laughter after announcing "and I would like to see allotments." It was a priceless moment. He looked so stressed all night, I thought he was going to have a heart attack.

Adrian Walsh completely screwed up his opening speech with something about the proposed gallery which was lost on everyone.

Ian Le Marquand - now how anyone can give him such high odds is a mystery to me. He is a terrible speaker. Quiet and mumbles. Reminds me of Mr Bean. In favour of GST. But he does want to see law and order brought back to our streets, so many will be pleased to hear that. He didn't say how he would do it though.

Freddie Cohen could be overheard telling people "it's going to be a very conservative vote this year" he was later heckled just for being there.

The winners of the evening:

Alan Breckon, was again passionate, honest with no waffle.

The three a day greens have finally honed their presentations to make the green message more digestable. Making it relate better to everyone's day of life.

The JDA candidates certainly know how to rally the troops. At one point I was expecting to see members from the audience, draw already sharpened pitch forks from under their coats and move forward in a pincher movement........ Very strong speeches and a lot of support from all.


Simon Crowcroft was very fair in his handling of the event and the evening saw only minor casualties with 6 badly bruised egos needing some attention.

[crappogre]

News on the hustings?
From the BBC, you wouldn't even know there had been one!
On 103, it's top story....... as it should be.

BBC caught napping (or covering up?) again

[ryanmorrison]

I'm working on a blog post on the hustings as we speak - unfortunately I just checked and we didn't send a reporter to the hustings - I think it was probably because they're all booked to work all night on election night (I know I am).

So my post will be a little bit annecdotal - but I'll link here and to Planet Jersey for more information.

There will also be a mention (difficult to report on something you haven't been to unfortunately) on BBC CI News tonight and it was talked about on the BBC Radio Jersey phone-in today.

The story was run on BBC Radio Jersey during the 1pm and 2pm news bulletins (after the phone-in) and will probably be in the 3pm as well.

This is what was run:

Voters hoping to hear from the candidates in tomorrows Senatorial election had to be turned away from last nights hustings meeting because there wasn't enough room for them.

The Town Hall is only allowed to take three hundred people and staff had to turn away others hoping to hear from the candidates.