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The President of Home Affairs, Deputy Rob Prow, has penned an opinion piece about the current state of politics, the role of the media, and why anyone would want to be a Deputy.
You can read his thoughts below:
I attended the event at Beau Sejour which was convened by SACC which aimed to provide aspiring Deputies with information from those currently sitting in the Assembly. I particularly enjoyed chatting to one young woman and unsurprisingly posed that question to her. After a while she returned the question to me.
Upon reflection I reminded myself of a very famous speech made by US President John F Kennedy in 1962, entitled ‘we choose to go to the moon’. Unlike myself JFK was a great orator. The speech is brief but powerful. In it he poses the question ‘but, why some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal?’ He answers his rhetorical question ‘We chose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard’.
Of course, he was explaining a decision to the United States public about his plan to land a man on the moon before 1970. Whilst the magnitude of that enterprise cannot be properly compared to those considerations needed to decide to stand for Guernsey’s Parliament, nonetheless there is content that might be of assistance. Some of the strong sentiments ring true when considering an important personal decision which can be life changing but if done right improve the place you live and love, for the better.
But why, some say, go for the States?
I offer my very humble opinion. The first part of my response should perhaps not be taken too literally!
For a Deputy who is completing his second term it is actually a very challenging question. Like the moon it can be a very hostile and lonely place in which you will need to develop a thick spacesuit to survive in. That is definitely reality on the moon and sadly some features of life in the States.
It is the strangest environment I have ever encountered. The rules of gravity apply completely differently. Your every word is listened to and dissected. Some might agree and politely nod, some might occasionally even shout ‘hear hear’. But others will chastise robustly, often using unnecessary harsh but carefully chosen cruel words, designed to unnerve you. Sometimes the Bailiff might come to your rescue, so the words become replaced with ones slightly less offensive. I have been around the block a few times in my former professional life - but I have never experienced an appetite to blame, expose and criticise with such grandstanding gusto. Some of your colleagues’ revel in it. It is so easy to identify the challenges and aggressively point fingers that will hinder our journey to the moon. But finding solutions is hard. But don’t complain we are in a debating chamber after all. It is absolutely a responsibility for Deputies to challenge and provide scrutiny, especially when public money and the wellbeing of islanders are at stake. In my opinion it’s more about how we do it and your motivation, not one’s ego. My angst is particularly with those who do very little else – or just say ‘No’ to the difficult things - because that might make you popular. Isn’t that what it’s all about? – leave the hard stuff to others?
Then of course, we can also deploy the vote of no confidence module should Deputies stupidly mention that a huge fiscal deficit requires fixing and pointing out the effects of an aging demographic. The VoNC capsule is massively effective as it jettisons able Deputies into deep space. And the Press will love it. But unfortunately, the issues they highlight remain in orbit and the astronauts will eventually return to earth richer for the experience.
And unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there - you will get even more and worse abuse from some on social media! (Some of it quite vile).
As for the Guernsey Press opinion writers and editorial – they appear to revel in the opposition view, controversy and negativity. Who can blame them. Those are the headlines they believe sell their paper. And remember robust challenge is good in a democracy. But annoyingly for some, they have their favourites who they anoint with praise and tend to either ignore those keener on concentrating on government matters, than getting their names in the paper or they add a second dose of criticism.
Some in the Assembly believe the pundits might come from a distant planet or a parallel universe. I am sceptical, although NASA are intrigued by a distant and strange constellation which is in danger of disappearing down a black hole. Interestingly they include a red dwarf star named Digard which is orbited by two hostile planets named Graham and Fallaize. Only joking guys - Freedom of the Press must rule throughout the universe!
And it’s a long hard journey there and back - Oh and remember Apollo 13?
And what tools are you given? Well only one actually - One vote out of forty available!
And support? You will be supported by the much-maligned public service, particularly in Committee work. Like most organisations including the private sector, they have truly excellent staff and some that under perform. Yes, work to be done here around our machinery of government and efficiencies. The social media warriors will tell you there are far too many, but in reality, they are often stretched to the limit. We have far fewer than comparable jurisdictions. If you are honest, you learn that very quickly as a Deputy, because you will often struggle to get information or responses to constituent’s concerns. Assistance to individual Deputies is very limited indeed. But the truth is, we can only have what we can afford, and we need to be frugal with taxpayers’ money, make savings by transforming and modernise the way we do things. Perhaps reducing the number of Deputies might be an option. The Isle of Man manage their planet with twenty-four elected members to the House of Keys.
We also have a curious Committee government system unique throughout the known Universe. This means we all divide up into silos with strictly separate responsibilities and we then try thrash it all out on the floor of the Assembly - often through multiple amendments laid at very short notice. This causes decisions to be made on the hoof. Sometimes this entails heading off towards a different planet to the one aimed for in the Policy Letter under debate. Committees instead of being cohesive in their approach, are often pitted against each other in those debates. There is also no real structure to enable collective government or accountability and the back-office function (P&R) trumps the delivery end of government. ‘Houston, we have a problem’. Even more puzzling to me it is described by some as ‘consensus government’. Really? it is very rare for the States to agree on anything of major importance!
But even the thought of having a grown-up debate around our system of government, including to defend the current one, is put in the too far too difficult to do tray or dismissed as ‘star gazing’. You will find it languishing in the fiscal policy, transport connectivity, aging demographic and affordable housing stratosphere.
So, if you don’t fancy that journey much, my honest advice is don’t get into the spacecraft, unless you only want to fire rockets at your colleagues all term – then it’s just right up your street. (And some on social media will love you to bits).
But in all seriousness, there is a very rewarding side. You will meet colleagues who think bigger picture, really want to make life better and understand that change is possible. Choose this because it is hard. It requires having a clear vision around what you can realistically achieve and how. There must be a willingness to gain an understanding of the challenges and what needs to be done to overcome them.
What tools do you have to do this? The courage of your convictions, hard work and teaming up with those who have the same passion for problem solving. This is where a Deputy can be most effective. You need to research and gain views of others before you turn up in the States thinking you have planet Earth by its bottom. There are many different ways of achieving things, so compromise is a virtue.
Work with the public servants - treat them as colleagues and with respect - get them on side and show them support and dare I say, leadership - get buy in to those visions. So much can be done outside of our Parliament. In the Committee settings yes - but much wider than that. Talk and listen to those who are stakeholders in what you are seeking to achieve. This is challenging as it takes effort, time and energy but will get you slowly in a place where you can make progress. It’s a marathon not a sprint. Working in this environment is so enjoyable and I have made some excellent friends across government in the process - even had some laughs along the way. This is in my view is what you should at least aspire to. Where I feel I have achieved they all fall into this space and the converse is true where I haven’t. Occasionally you will also deliver a speech which you know has made a difference and that will make you feel good and more than make up for the less rewarding aspects.
This island’s government desperately needs quality, able people from all walks of life, to put themselves forward. I implore good people to do so, and we have them in spades, whatever their background. We are predominantly a self-governing jurisdiction. We stubborn donkeys are proud of our independence. It is precious and must be protected. We are not part of Hampshire like the Isle of Wight. Our States does the job of UK local councils and the big government stuff. There is so much to be done and we need all the different skills, views, and experiences we can muster. We all must support the finance industry, build the economy, keep the island safe and secure, provide quality education and health care, improve our transport links, protect our environment and much more. We are in the most difficult of times, post covid and Brexit, an economic downturn, and global conflicts. It is imperative that the Bailiwick pulls together not tear each other apart, whist our competitors watch with glee.
Choose to go to the moon and beyond. Collect your ideas and vision. look forward not back. Do it because you want to and because it is hard not easy. Set out your stall - sell what you have to offer with confidence.
If you do, I wish you all the luck in the world – PS. Don’t forget the space suit before you step into the rocket.
