Montfort Tadier's Propositions

A recent Freedom of Information request (not made by me) has highlighted some of Montfort Tadier’s propositions brought to the States.

There is a strong focus on improving rental conditions, and better provision for the elderly and the disabled. Alongside those are ones about constitutional reform, again aimed at strengthening democracy.

2009

This year saw all Monty’s propositions being rejected. It should be noted that a Referendum was in fact passed by the States in 2013 when it was brought by Deputy Andrew Green, a Minister within the Council of Ministers. I do sometimes wonder if some votes a rejected because the States Member bringing them is not part of the Council of Ministers.

P.59/2009 Oral questions with notice: abolition of time limit
Rejected

P.100/2009 Television Licences for persons over 75.
Rejected

P.105/2009 Oral questions with notice: revised ballot procedures
Rejected

P.146/2009 Referendum: position of the Connétables in the States
Rejected

2010

This year saw near complete success on all propositions brought. Among them are some good, solid propositions aimed at improving how our Island democracy works.

P.60/2011 Parish Assemblies: Information pack
Adopted

P.61/2011 Standing Orders: selection and appointment procedures.
Adopted

P.102/2011 Debt Collection Agencies: establishment of a Working Party
Adopted

P.103/2011 Council of Ministers’ meetings: public access
Rejected

P.121/2011 Clos des Sables: further development – petition
Adopted

2013

This saw a mixed bag. It is almost impossible to easily run an election with STV and AV, given the laborious hand counting methods used, which is what lost Monty the argument. PPC did however agree to look into means of electronic voting and bring proposals forward. Issues have been raised about fraud, but I’d be far more concerned about someone stealing bank details from online banking than stealing a vote. And yet the States trust one, but not the other!

P.166/2013 Modern Language Teaching: review
Adopted

P.171/2013 Public Elections: introduction of STV and AV
Rejected


2014
Some success, and some failure. Minimum standards and a register of landlords was long overdue. St Brelade now has kerbside recycling, supported by Monty.

P.42/2014 Residential rental property: minimum standards and a register of landlords.
Adopted

P.121/2014 Kerbside Recycling: feasibility study
Adopted

P.126/2014 Bedrocan BV: possession for treatment purposes – petition
Adopted

P.127/2014 Sativex: possession for treatment purposes – petition
Rejected

P.128/2014 Cannabis: possession of cannabis for treatment purposes – petition
Rejected

P.44/2015 Esplanade Quarter development: Scrutiny review and referendum
Rejected

P.140/2015 Concessionary bus fares for the disabled: discussions with LibertyBus
Adopted

2016

This year saw most propositions rejected, although it should be noted that the Chief Minister is now bringing a proposition for cessation of dual role of Bailiff.

P.39/2016 Nursery funding: implementation of proposed changes
Rejected

P.54/2016 Bailiff of Jersey: cessation of dual role and the appointment of an elected Speaker of the States
Rejected

P.88/2016 Public Elections: introduction of STV and AV
Rejected

P.117/2016 Television Licence Fee: exemption for Jersey residents aged 75 and over.
Rejected

2017

Of these, I was disappointed to see the concessionary bus fares knocked back again, but I did disagree about qualifications for standing to the States. Almost every country without exception requires those standing for election to the main legislative government to be citizens of that country, and there is no likelihood, for example that Portugal is going to allow British citizens to stand for its government. Nationality can be changed, and those making laws for a country should be legal citizens of that country, even if anyone who votes for them needs just to live and pay taxes in that country. Note to Reg Langlois - everyone pays taxes in Jersey since GST was introduced.

P.1/2017 Senators and Deputies: candidates’ qualifications.
Rejected

P.9/2017 Concessionary bus fares for the disabled: costs to be met by the States
Rejected

The FOI request reply says:

“According to our research, in addition to the above propositions, Deputy Tadier also lodged 18 amendments to propositions lodged by other States members or bodies of which nine were adopted, eight were rejected and one was partially adopted.”