Monday 6 January 2014

By-election Statement


Dear Readers,


I suspect the following news will not come as a surprise to many of you.

Following discussions with my friends and family, plus messages of support from people in and out of politics, I have decided to contest the by-election in St Helier No. 2 district.

I have been campaigning for close to two years now for improvements to Jersey’s democracy. During this time I have spoken to people in all parts of our Island for whom things have gotten tougher and tougher over the past few years.

Unemployment is the highest it has ever been. The cost of living has been rising, with wages stagnating. The Islands population is growing and politicians do not seem to have a grip on it.

A survey at the end of last year revealed that 75% of people in Jersey do not have faith in the States. Most Islanders also choose not to vote.

I believe that democracy should offer hope to people that they are able to take their future into their own hands and choose a government that they can have faith in to always stand up for our interests as a community and not the interests of a few at the top. I believe that the way we do politics in Jersey needs to drastically change to be brought up to a 21st Century standard that is fit for purpose to address the needs of Islanders in a way that is in line with our values as a community.

My politics puts ordinary people at the forefront of what I believe in. I believe in a society in which wealth and power are in the hands of the many, not the few. I will robustly stand up for anyone in Jersey who is struggling to get by and is in need of help. But I hope that even those in Jersey who live comfortable lives will understand the points I make and realise that Jersey can be made better for all island residents by the changes I will propose.

I was born in Jersey and it will always be my home. Being a Jerseyman is a huge part of my identity. I am grateful for having been lucky enough to be born in such a fantastic part of the world. Nothing I will ever do will be done with the intention of making Jersey a worse place.

During the referendum campaign last year, I spent the bulk of my time campaigning in St Helier and I really grew to feel for the voters who I believe have drawn the short straw in Jersey’s democracy. Their vote is not worth as much as a voter in any other Parish and I believe that, now more than ever, St Helier needs politicians who will not accept anything less than full equality for St Helier voters.

I understand that some people, whilst they might agree with much of what I say, will consider my relatively young age to be a disadvantage, but I believe it is a virtue. I am not tainted by any past mistakes or associations. I have not been beaten into cynicism by defeat after defeat. I am full of energy, enthusiasm and idealism. There are plenty of States Members with varying degrees of experience, and throwing in another grey-haired businessman is not going to change the way politics is done in Jersey.

In the coming weeks I will release a detailed manifesto and hit the streets to get the message across.

Any help that anyone can offer, be it blood, sweat and tears, or even just a donation to help me pay for posters and leaflets, will be gratefully received. I cannot win an election by myself and will need a team of people behind me who share my enthusiasm for what Jersey is capable of.

I hope that even those of you who may not agree with my politics will be able to respect the campaign I run and at least consider me a candidate that may be worth backing, if only to send a message to the current States Members that politics in Jersey has to change.


Thank you,

Sam


www.facebook.com/SamMezecStHelier

64 comments:

  1. I know a lot of the issues you are raising are outside the Island's control though but to change anything you need the support of over half the Chamber. This is a real question young Sam, say you get in, how will you get support from the minimum voters needed to get a proposal through?
    I don't like dampening things but I fear you may have already fallen out with too many people in the States already to make any valid presence.

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    Replies
    1. It's a valid point.

      At the end of the day, what is achievable in 7/8 months will be limited, especially when my political perspective will be a minority in the States.

      I actually have a very good relationship with a lot of States Members that you wouldn't assume I would who I will be able to work with and be honest but courteous with. I don't believe that there is any point in ever not being civil to the people that I disagree with, and it always worth focusing on common ground when there is something achievable in sight.

      I have always gotten on with Senator Bailhache and been able to chat frankly and honestly with him, even when we disagree. Senator Ozouf and I have argued before, but are absolutely able to sit in a room and deal with each other in a civil way (we both monitored the St Saviour ballot count at the referendum). Senator Le Marquand was very nice to me during the referendum campaign and were able to speak frankly. Deputy Power and I had a few good chats during the referendum. Constable Renard is absolutely lovely and I've always enjoyed chatting to her.

      Despite one of my last blogs calling for a split in the dual role of the Bailiff, I also get on with Michael Birt. I spoke at a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting and was sat on his table during the dinner and had a nice chat.

      I like to think I'm a reasonably nice guy who is easy to get along with and politics will always come before personalities when it comes to getting results for people in St Helier.

      Delete
    2. Given how you acted towards politicians who were part of other campaigns during the referendum what assurance can you give voters that you can indeed be civil with those you disagree with? Your style, especially over social media, towards those who disagreed with you suggested this was not the case a year ago.

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    3. We have to remember what was at stake during the referendum - democracy.

      Option B was a sinister attempt to steal democracy from St Helier. All I did was act like that was the case. I was probably quite tame, considering.

      Delete
    4. Oh dear. Did Sam use some use some unkind words during the hijacked referendum?

      Paradoxically a referendum on democracy is oxymoronic unless all the options stick to the democratic principle of uniform voting power (e.g. equal numbers of votes and each vote being of the same value).

      The hijacked electoral reform commission was a cynical power grab by those who already have too much, further undermining Jersey's semi-democracy.

      Historically, in UK & worldwide, protest and violence have been amongst the valid tools of achieving improved democracy, or of preventing it's theft .......but you don't think that Sam's use of impoliteness is valid.

      Electoral discrimination against town-dwellers is no more acceptable than electoral discrimination against .......women, blacks, men, left handed people etc.

      Winning a flawed referendum on any of these things does not mane it okay.

      All the options were expensive Bailhache-guano. It is disappointing how many islanders voted "I am not a democrat"
      Some did so because they were thick or misled.
      Some did so because they are evil.

      Vote Establishment.
      Vote Child Abuse.
      Vote Data Protection
      Vote Bailhache Morals
      This is the unfortunate reality proven by years of experience

      The abuse happens on their watch
      The cover up happens on their watch

      Last election (2011) Jersey lurched further to the right
      Did you blink?
      Oh yes, let's cut out the middle man and let the owned Jersey media vote for us direct to save us the trouble of future trips to the polling stations.
      (like in every other election "Baa" LOL)

      The government you deserve -Enjoy !

      Delete
  2. Sam

    I'm delighted you are standing and I wish you great success. Your strength is your social conscience. However, the economy is absolutely crucial to Jersey and some of us believe that there are not enough 'grey haired businessman' in the States. We have a few but (with one or two exceptions) they are pretty lightweight. Sadly, decisions that are in the economy's best interest are often the least popular and so the politicians who make them are unpopular, often unfairly. It doesn't mean they don't share your social values.

    An effective government needs people like you but it also needs people with high level experience in the business and finance world. Our economy is our oil. We have great members like Le Gresley, Tadier, Southern etc who represent the 'left' with great integrity but in comparison the 'right' is fairly weak. Where are the captains of industry? Where are the finance leaders? Why are they not standing?

    There's always room for people like you in the States to provide some balance but the 'right' must be encouraged to improve as well because if either side dominates then few will benefit.

    Jersey may have stupid amounts of money in the hands of a few (mostly 11K) residents but the majority of residents are just ordinary people who have benefitted from the opportunities that this great island has presented them with and now have very comfortable lives. Lots more can be done for those less fortunate but only with a strong economy. We need more people like you and we need more grey haired businessmen (but better ones). And we need both sides to recognise that the other side is just as crucial to the future wellbeing of the island and all its current and future inhabitants.

    Good luck.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Anonymous.

      This reminds me of something my grandad often recalled, when one of Jerseys top farmers (he didn't say who) was elected to the States and appointed head of the Harbour Committee, rather than anything to do with agriculture!

      Interestingly, Deputy Sean Power tweeted today saying "Is a new political party system now needed in Jersey? Some like minded colleagues may well agree."

      One of the benefits of a party (especially a party on the right) is that it allows people without a political background to enter right away with an apparatus of support that independents can't have.

      If we had parties, then some of our leaders of industry who wanted to get involved politically, would find it easier to get involved and quickly get the political training to convert their talents to politics.

      Likewise it would also help people who are from different backgrounds to get in too, so we could end up with a politics that is a lot more representative of the public it is meant to represent.

      Delete
    2. The trouble with businessmen in politics is that it is possible to succeed in business with a wholly different character and skill set than those needed to be an effective parliamentarian. Some "captains of industry" have the insight to realise that they are not the right stuff and don't waste their time.

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    3. Agreed, which is exactly why I think it's candidates politics that matter, not necessarily their experience and success in business.

      Delete
  3. Sam.

    As you would know, a good person to put himself forward for the other bi-election would be D. Wimberley. This would surely give a bit more support for moving forward with reform?

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    1. I'd love to see Daniel back in the States, but I'm not sure if his life circumstances permit it. He has given me support and advice for me standing though, which I'm grateful for.

      It would be great if he is willing and able to stand in St Mary again in the general election, but who knows.

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    2. Yes, Dan Wimberley did a lot of important but thankless work in the states before he tired of banging his head against the establishment's fortress walls.
      He could do so much more now that people, and even a good number of states members can see "how it works".

      Another name which springs to mind is Bob Hill M.B.E.

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    3. Bob Hill is definitely a thoroughly decent man. The last time I spoke to him, he mentioned something about how he was working harder on constituent casework now that he isn't in the States, than when he was in there!

      But we have to be careful about wishing to many previous States Members back into politics. I think we are better focusing on the future and preparing new and credible people with the skills enter politics.

      Delete
  4. When campaigning you should really stress how much it's a short term post, and the electorate have little to lose by allowing you a short stint to prove your worth. Good Luck!

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    Replies
    1. That's a good point, thanks for that! I hope people in St Helier see it as worth taking a chance on me and giving me the opportunity to prove my worth.

      Some States Members elected in 2011 have not asked a single question or lodged a single proposition/ amendment since being elected. Many took over a year to give their first speech in the States.

      I'll be active from day 1, and that is a staunch promise.

      Delete
  5. Congratulations Sam.
    I am of the centre(ish) right, but I very much hope you win.
    Jersey needs energetic, intelligent and principled people of whatever political colour.

    Good luck.

    N.B.
    Readers of a delicate disposition are asked not to click on my name which will take you to partial details on how a lively young woman died in Jersey in February 2012 and of how her killer not only walked free but had his legal costs paid.

    The whole thing stank from day one.

    The parents would still like to know how their daughter died.
    How many of us feel that she really was that expendable?

    Sam, could I urge you to make giving this island a fit for purpose legal system one of your (longer term) goals.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, always glad to have the support of decent people on the right. Something's are clear cut, irrespective of political philosophies.

      One of those things is definitely the legal system. With my background in law, hopefully I'll be able to suggest some important improvements to prevent any miscarriages of justice.

      Delete
  6. Could you please explain why you have found it necessary to drastically amend the 'about me' part of your blog to remove all references to your passionate support of socialism and the Labour Party ?

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    1. I amended it months ago. I didn't think it read very well and didn't get the points across in the way I wanted them to.

      I'll probably amend it even further.

      Using the word "socialism" will inevitably leave the wrong impression in peoples minds. I need to come up with a much more effective way to describe my politics than just pigeon holing in a term that is far too ambiguous.

      The Labour Party's constitution says -

      "The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone, so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect."

      That's pretty much what I think too.

      Delete
  7. Ian Evans is giving you a right slagging off so have given him a piece of my mind. That man needs help. Good luck Sam.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks anonymous. Not sure I'll be using his mock up of me with the Soviet flag in any of my election material!

      For the record, I don't hate Ian Evans, I just think that he is very misguided and irresponsible when it comes to his views on statute law (which IS law, regardless of what some conspiracy loon on YouTube says).

      I don't blame Ian for being paranoid about the legal system and lawyers themselves. Plenty of lawyers are very far from being paragons of virtue, but we aren't all part of one big conspiracy.

      The case of Meads v Meads analysed the same arguments he uses (the "freemen on the land" theory) and very resoundly proved it to be nonsense.

      Ian just puts himself through hardship by persisting with it, and will probably end up locked up because of it.

      Shame.

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  8. Good luck! Glad you are standing.

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  9. Check out the righttoreply blog, has this bozo sown up!

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  10. What about Fabianism?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabian_Society

    The Fabian Society is a British socialist organisation whose purpose is to advance the principles of socialism via gradualist and reformist means.

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  11. Fair play to you Sam, you will certainly have your work cut out being in the States as I think there is a strong chance of you being elected. Every club and association I have been a member of, has had a time limit on committee members of about three years. This is for good reason, it allows fresh new enthusiastic people and ideas to come through, and helps to stop nepotism, cronyism and by extension corruption.

    Judging by the recent publics view of the Jersey States it would appear a big clear out is due and a new more vital, and energetic intake is needed who also understand integrity, truth and accountability.

    I pledge £150 towards your campaign. Please send me a PM on planet jersey with details so I can remit the amount to you.

    For your age, you are well informed and engaged, although I do not agree with all your political views.

    Boatyboy.

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  12. To the commenter who has posted about another blog and defending me - thank you! It's nice to know you're sticking up for me.

    I think that we should probably try not to dwell on the subject too much because it detracts from what is important. At the end of the day, ordinary people in St Helier are more interested in job security, cost of living and housing and that's what we need to focus on. They have probably had enough of arguments that are detached from the issues that matter to them.

    Thanks again.

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  13. good luck its what jersey needs

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  14. Admire your enthusiasm and loyalty to the real Jersey.

    Your choice of people you get along with is unfortunate as any real progress in Jersey would involve their removal from office along with a whack of administrators for whom they are covering up.

    I don't want to sound like a single issue person, but the failure to deal with the child abuse and then the subsequent coverup has so corrupted the administration that nothing useful will be achieved until it is purged and the underlying issues are faced up to, including by the hitherto passive islanders.

    I am Irish and live in Ireland, so I don't have a vote in Jersey. I did work there in 1961 and fell in love with the Jersey I thought I knew. I felt very angry and betrayed when I found out, in recent years, what had been going on behind the façade.

    Anyway, good luck to you in your election campaign. Your heart is probably in the right place but you may be underestimating the effort required to get the show back on the right road.

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  15. 'I am Irish and live in Ireland' - Typical attitude of somebody who has no relevant connection with the island but gets all of their 'news' from only a few extremely biased local blogs and seeks to involve themselves in things they don't fully understand.

    These are the very people whose help and support you can do without, unless you want to be tainted as one of, or sympathising with, the 'crazies'

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  16. Sorry mate, I'm sure you're a decent bloke and it's clear you have a good brain but I can't vote for someone who sent the following twitter post:

    Sam Mézec ‏@SamMezec 9 Oct
    @DeputyTadier Of course we can't have parties. That would mean the public would have a choice, and we know they can't be trusted!

    That was me you were referring to.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous, I think you might have missed the joke/ context here.

      I was being ironic with Deputy Tadier because there are States Members that go out of their way to support anything that keeps power away from the public. I was poking fun at those people.

      I think my record clearly shows that I believe in parties and that the public should genuinely choose their government.

      I'm even going to have in my manifesto that the public should elect the Chief Minister!

      Delete
    2. Sam, thanks for the explanation. I clearly missed the irony and took your tweet too literally. Apologies.

      Delete
    3. Thanks Anonymous, glad I could clarify. If I had meant it without irony, I wouldn't blame you for being annoyed with me!

      Delete
  17. Do you think REFORM JERSEY will be of assistance in your campaign or a liability?

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    1. I think it will definitely be of assistance. I'm putting my involvement with Reform Jersey on all of my literature.

      The principles that Reform Jersey was founded on benefit the people of St Helier more than any other Parish in the island specifically because St Helier is the victim of the greatest unfairness of our electoral system.

      St Helier voted Option A by a 2:1 margin in last years referendum and I hope the electorate will remember me from that campaign and see that I am absolutely committed to fairness and equality for St Helier.

      Delete
  18. Good luck Sam. You'd have my vote if I lived in the right district.

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  19. I am local man in my mid forties
    Personally I think the quality of life in Jersey has got worse,especially the last 5 or so years.
    I believe this deteriation is down to overcrowding a small island.
    I believe this current uncontrolled immigration is down to tax.
    No company tax means the tax burden has clearly been shifted onto the individual.This change of tax base has been well documented.i believe the states secretly want as many people paying ITIS and GST as possible.
    But if we had some form of business tax or charged 11ks a responsible percentage we wouldn't need to keep trying to encourage people to come and live here.Isn't it time the tax burden was shifted more onto those that can afford it.What are your thoughts on this?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks anonymous.

      I think you make a lot of excellent points here.

      I think the fact that the burden of taxation has shifted to people on ordinary incomes is a sign of a government with the wrong values.

      I believe in progressive taxation - i.e. the more you earn, the more you pay and the less you earn, the less you pay.

      As a point of principle, I think it is immoral to tax food and utilities. I will support any viable measure to get GST off of essentials and I will never vote to raise GST. I know that is a promise that islanders hear a lot and it gets broken, but all I can do is give you my word.

      I also think that if it can't be proven that a 1(1)K is creating economic activity in Jersey, then I am not happy with them paying a lower tax rate than their cleaner.

      At the end of the day, we can't tax people through the roof and we can't put businesses off coming to Jersey, but whatever system we come up with has to be based on FAIRNESS.

      Delete
    2. Sam

      Will you NEVER vote to raise GST even if circumstances change dramatically and it becomes the only viable way to pay for services like healthcare?

      The burden of tax may have shifted towards ordinary people with the introduction of GST but let's not forget we still have one of the most generous tax systems in the western world at ALL levels. The cleaner you mention above probably does not pay any income tax at all due to the extremely generous allowances (which are set to increase substantially).

      Although I disagree with many of your extreme views I do hope you find your way into the States as to me the essence of democracy is the balance that people with your values bring to a system often dominated by calculating robots.

      Delete
  20. Looking at the various online comments via Twitter / JEP online etc.., what do you think it is about you that has divided people's opinions, to the extent that, excluding the usual brainless insults, quite a large number of people have taken the time to write negative comments about your candidature ?

    I must admit, I have never before seen such polarisation of views on a candidate. Is this something you have considered or are concerned about ?

    (If your answer is 'oh its the same old troll etc', please don't bother replying, because that would insult both of us)

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    Replies
    1. I haven't looked at the comments online. With the JEP and CTV it is impossible to verify an identity and in my experience they are filled with the sort of extreme comments you get when you offer someone anonymity, not just on this subject but any subject with the vaguest air of contention. (Sorry if that insults you, but it doesn't insult me).

      On Twitter, some people are very upset that I'm too busy to engage with them when they are purely trying to antagonise me. I'm focusing on speaking to voters and people who are interested in a constructive dialogue and honest disagreements.

      Some people just genuinely disagree with my politics and have expressed that view. Fair enough. In the world of politics some people just have different outlooks and values. That's entirely healthy. Especially when my outlook and values are probably a minority in Jersey (though I think they are a majority in St Helier).

      Delete
    2. Also, the fact I am young is a perfect excuse to be cynical for some people.

      As far as I'm concerned, the only people whose opinions matter are the voters of St Helier No. 2. Every one I've spoken to whilst out and about has been incredibly positive. I'm even getting strangers come up to me in the street to shake my hand and wish me luck.

      Delete
  21. 'As far as I'm concerned, the only people whose opinions matter are the voters of St Helier No. 2' -

    Will that be the case if you are elected, as you will be asked to take part in decisions which affect the whole island ?

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  22. Best of luck Sam, I think you will be elected, and if so, irrespective of how you perform, you could not match the lasting damage which has been inflicted on us for years by "the old school network" and the dictatorial regime.

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  23. Sam, We have never met but I have followed your blog postings for some time and this is the first time I have posted. So firstly I am very pleased to see you have taken up the so called 'cudgel' and I sincerely wish you all the very best in the forthcoming elections. My only words of advice to you are two fold, firstly by all means be 'friendly' with the likes of certain politicians but remember the very true and valid saying "There is no such thing as the free lunch". Secondly if you are voted in as a new Deputy as you rightly say your time will be limited before the next full elections, so my advice here is don't tilt at windmills, act as a 'mirror' to all those who want to change thing's for the limited few. By this I mean make them really work for their proposals and if necessary make the noddies work even harder to justify their backing for such proposals. You will of course not win, at least not in the chamber but you sure as hell will win hearts out here in the real world.

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  24. 'I haven't looked at the comments online' - I don't think that's correct, unless it is another sam posting about having his hair cut ?

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    Replies
    1. That was me. I posted it before any other comments had been published. Haven't been on it since.

      Delete
  25. Sam, very interesting reading the comments and your replies. In doing so I have have come to the conclusion that many of your commenters are deluded. Now, before you jump to the defensive, I am not a troll, just an observer. How exactly do you plan to change a political system that has endured for hundreds of years ? Your supporters seem to think you are some kind of visionary who, once elected, will single handedly change the bleak and twisted political landscape, to a fertile and progressive utopia.

    I like you, you come across as well meaning. However, I'm not sure you really understand what you could possibly, if elected, be getting yourself into. To reassure me, can you please outline a brief idea of what exactly you plan to do if elected ?

    Thanks and best wishes.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Ash.

      My full manifesto will go into detail on quite a lot of that, and I'm wary of revealing too much at this stage, simply because no other candidates have declared yet. But I will in time release a comprehensive document outlining what I can and will do if elected.

      If I do get elected, it will only be for 7 or 8 months before I'd have to face re-election. So what I would actually be capable of doing would be limited, but I think that what any other potential candidates could achieve would be even more limited.

      Because of my background in law, I understand legislation, States standing orders and the constitution (without trying to sound arrogant, I think I understand them more than several of our States Members). So right away I will be able to get active in bringing propositions forward. I will be capable and the 8 months will not just be spent twiddling my thumbs.

      Also, my experience of working for the Option A campaign means that I have already developed a good working relationship with several States Members (including ones from the other campaign groups). Because I get on with many of them, when I bring propositions forward, I will be able to speak to other members and rally support, which I hope will make me effective, not just someone who brings proposition after proposition forward, all doomed to failure.

      Delete
  26. To the anonymous who posted a not for publication comment -

    Thanks for that, useful to know.

    I think you've identified the persons motives correctly. You can always be suspicious of someone when they say they don't care about something, yet find it almost impossible to talk about anything else.

    A few friends of mine have warned me about him because he has said a few things about me online that are blatantly lies, as well as screen-shotting some of my old Tweets and taking them completely out of context.

    It's dirty politics, but I'm not engaging with it. I suspect that the more vicious they are, the more it will look like bullying to most impartial observers. It was tried with Shona Pitman in the last election, who Terry Le Main was particularly vicious about, and she raised her share of the vote!

    If anyone wants a constructive discussion about disagreements, fine, looking forward to having lots of those on the doorstep. But if someone is vicious about me and intent on destroying me, it's a bit rich to cry about it when I just block them and don't react.

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    1. Anon from earlier said:

      You're welcome Sam. I'm a middle-aged right wing Tory who might disagree with you on some issues, but agree with you on others. Above all though, I have a great deal of respect for you because of your efforts to bring fairness to the voters of St Helier. That's why I'm happy to tip you off.

      You are right that there is some really dirty politics out there. I pity the exponents of it.

      Anyway, good luck. I'd vote for you if I could. There are enough middle-aged business types, we need a bit of variety. You're eloquent and bright, just what we need.

      Delete
    2. Thanks a lot anonymous, I really appreciate it!

      Delete
  27. Can I ask how you are planning to fund your electoral bid ? Unless you are working, where will the cash come from for posters etc. or are you planning on making it a pretty much online campaign ?

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    1. I won't be spending a huge amount, but what I do spend will come from donations. Anyone wanting to send me a donation will be welcomed with open arms! Just get in touch (but bear in mind anonymous donations are illegal, and so I will not accept them, they will have to go to charity).

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  28. How are you affording to live at the moment even before the likely election expenses ? Will you be at a disadvantage to other candidates because of this, or is there a spending limit ?

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    1. You don't need to worry about my well-being, I am getting by fine! (Though I can confirm that some hostile commentators claiming I am on income support are lying).

      There is a spending limit. It's around £2,000 and expenses accounts have to be filed with the Greffe after an election, which I will do. Whether all candidates officially declare all of their actual expenses accurately, I have no idea. You are meant to declare any freebies, which are deducted at their market rate from your allowance.

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    2. I'm not sure for the reason for the slightly defensive response to my question of how you are supporting yourself. I don't believe its an unreasonable question to ask a potential States representative how they are employed ?

      How have contributions gone so far, and is it likely you will be spending anything like the
      £ 2000 cap ?

      Delete
    3. I've already explained why I am defensive, because lies and misinformation about me are being spread. You also have to understand that I don't particularly want to be burning bridges. Former colleagues have been very supportive of what I am doing but I'm sure they would rather not be associated because no business particularly wants to be overtly political.

      I'm not working at the moment. As far as I'm concerned, campaigning and working are incompatible. You can't really do both and be giving 100% to each. I've previously worked in trust admin and as a junior legal assistant in a top litigation firm, which I left voluntarily because it wasn't what I wanted to do in the long run. I had just began looking for something else to do when the by-election became likely so decided that circumstance was perfect for me to give that a real go.

      I can't guess how much I'll spend. I'll be delighted if I get enough donations to spend the whole amount. Regardless, I think you can ask to see candidates accounts after the election if you ask the Greffe (though I'd have to double check that).

      Delete
  29. Thank you for your comprehensive answer.

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  30. You will have to get used to lies and misinformation if you get elected, Sam. I am in no way condoning this kind of behaviour but, as a politician, it is something you will have to just take on the chin. Every time I turn on the T.V. or radio, open a newspaper or magazine, a politician somewhere, is getting the piss ripped right out of them.

    Occupational hazard I'm afraid. Grow a thick skin and you will go far.

    Thanks for the answer to previous question.

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  31. Gutted I live in St Helier 1 as you'd have my vote for sure. Good luck and give them hell.

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