FULL TEXT OF THE REPORT TO THE CLOTHIER  COMMITTEE (CLICK HERE)

This is a summary of the submission  made to the Clothier Committee. In the interest of a vigorous public debate and 'freedom of information', AABA is making this report available to the public.

The report written by Austin Mitchell MP and Professor Prem Sikka provides a background to Jersey's crisis of government. It notes that Jersey's ruling elite only responds to outside pressure. It is skeptical that the Clothier Committee will be permitted to make suggestions for deeper reforms. Even if it does so, it is doubtful that Jersey's ruling elite will introduce them. The usual bickering will follow and the ruling elites are likely to twist the situation to their advantage. We urge the people of Jersey of form pressure groups, political parties, organise newsletters and street demonstrations - as that is about the only way to make your voice heard. AABA will provide support for those clamouring to end the elected dictatorship and replace it with genuine democracy. Left to itself, the Jersey establishment will continue to treat Jersey as a private fiefdom, useful only to tax dodging companies, footloose capital and any one interested in laundering their profits.

The submission to the Clothier Committee makes a number of recommendations. These include:

• Regular general elections.
• Need to separate the powers of the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.
• A President or Prime Minister for Jersey.
• The need for some members of the Jersey States to act as the Opposition.
• Freedom of Information.
• Defined Ministers and government departments.
• Strengthening pressure group activity.
• Forbidding big business to finance political parties or election candidates.
• No role for the Bailiff.
• No role for the Lieutenant Governor.
• Jersey States to elect its own Speaker.
• No judicial role for the Speaker.
• No political role for the Dean of Jersey.
• Written record of all proceedings of the States, freely available to the public.
• Full-time politicians.
• Making a distinction between local and national government.
• Break-up the monopoly of the Jersey Evening Post.
• Independence of the civil service.
• A House of Commons (UK) Select Committee to oversee Jersey (and other Crown Dependencies).
• Broader role for the Audit Commission.
• Properly defined rights and laws rather than unenforceable Codes of Practice.
• The creation of a university and 'independent' think-tanks to provide alternative analysis and information.