Rallies and Press Statements

I must say that the "exceedingly low turn out" is a remarkable piece of spin. Channel TV had this as well, saying that "only" about 240 people turned up. I'd be interested in knowing how many people would turn out for a "support Frank Walker" rally.

Turn out for events is always difficult. People have other commitments. Which is why petitions always garner more support.

Elections are, however, a good measure of support for the political system, although a low turn out usually is indicative of a population resigned to lack of change. The way in which Deputies can be elected to the States when they have failed on their policy platforms as Senators, and then continue with that policy platform is most notable. This stretches back at least as far as Clarrie Dupre, voted down as Senator for Tourism policies, re-elected as Deputy, and soon comfortably back in position as President of Tourism Committee. One of the latest to benefit from this strategy was Guy De Faye, voted down from becoming Senator because of his transport policies, and now back in as Deputy, and in charge of Transport.

It will be interesting to see what happens if Senator Walker tries to stand again, especially given (a) his statement at the last elections that this would be his last term of office (b) his statement in this press release that "as Chief Minister, I will do everything within my power to ensure that in the years to come our children are the best protected in Great Britain". How can he do this if he is leaving office later this year? Another example, I fear, of political rhetoric overcoming the ability to engage the brain first.

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Chief Minister's media response to today's rally

Whilst it is good for those deeply effected by recent events to have an opportunity to express their emotions, it is clear by the exceedingly low turn out in the Royal Square today, that the Jersey public recognised that organisers were attempting to use this tragedy to their own political advantage.

My hope is that the people of Jersey will now come together to fully support the police investigation and the victims. We need to bring the guilty to justice and to care for all those whose lives have been damaged by their treatment in the past. As Chief Minister, I will do everything within my power to ensure that in the years to come our children are the best protected in Great Britain.

Then we can once again look to the future and restore pride to our Island because, as the Dean has said, Jersey is still a beautiful, delightful, low crime, high achieving place. Despite the horrors that we have had to confront over the last two weeks, that has not changed. That is the real Jersey.

Frank Walker