Guernsey IOD - 2020 Where Will We Be?

2009-10-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

Huddled outside the Dave Ferguson Hall at Beau Sejour Centre with the other students selected to attend the Guernsey Institute of Directors Annual Debate I had pre-conceptions of what the next five hours would be like, while in fact having no idea at all. The bell rung and the doors opened to display the fantastic debating arena. The panellists sat raised above the floor on what appeared to be more comfortable chairs, with a lectern to the side of them. Tables were situated all around the floor and three large projecting screens on the walls, allowing everyone to clearly view the clips that were played no matter where you were sat or how bad their eyesight was.

The four panellists were John Davey, Senator Philip Ozouf Tamara Menteshvili and Peter Neville. Tamara Menteshvili was relaxed in the way she would respond to a question and her ‘way with words’ allowed to easily express her thoughts in a simple and meaningful manner. An example of this is when Alastair Stewart asked her for her priorities over the economy in Guernsey. She answered that Guernsey needs to view itself and make others aware that Guernsey is “Part of the solution, not part of the problem”. She further mentioned how this misconception that we are “sitting on a pot of gold” needs to be explained to other countries in order for Guernsey not to be targeted and allow Guernsey’s economy to move forwards opposed to backwards.

The second topic of the annual debate was about Pan-island issues and much emphasis was placed upon the co-operation with Jersey in order to benefit both the communities and economies. Due to the topic, much was directed towards Senator Philip Ozouf because of his title as the Treasury and Resources Minister in Jersey. He reacted well to the questions explaining difficulties and examples. He supported the idea that co-operation would be positive, utilising the phrase “One plus one, equals three”. The senator explained how the differences in the underlying laws and systems between the two Islands poses great difficulty for any hope of whole-scale Pan-island operations. Furthermore, he made everyone aware of the ‘baggage’ Guernsey holds in terms of Alderney and Sark. I was extremely impressed how he answered the questions and queries put towards him. My belief upon this issue is that the idea of Guernsey and Jersey working together in a whole-scale way is currently unfeasible due to the many difficulties. However, I do believe that certain areas can work together, for example the harnessing of tidal energy, slowly promoting the cry for pan-island co-operation. This of course, is if all the proceedings go well and smoothly, and will allow any questions on ‘trust’ to be answered.

Social Issues touched upon the support of the public and private sector to one another and mainly the population and housing argument. Education was complimented by many of the panellists, explaining the more than healthy and productive situation it was in, therefore not becoming an issue. A point raised which I deeply agreed with was that of the housing licence issue and the loss of good teachers. Continuity is key in teaching and losing good teachers will only be detrimental to the students and therefore, the future of the island.

The final topic was the government and much emphasis was placed upon a recent report that the government of Guernsey is ‘not fit for purpose’. Debate ensued on the burning issue and many excellent points where made from the floor. Many if not all of the directors present agreed that the number of deputies need to be decreased and for those deputies remaining to be given more power. This will result in quicker decisions and ultimately more to be done. Tamara Menteshvili made the point that “the government doesn’t make any mistakes because they don’t make any decisions”. I feel the number of deputies does need to be decreased in order for the ‘middle ground’ to not always be taken, as I believe this simply moves issues down the priority list, opposed to solving them.

Alastair Stewart was the moderator of the event and I have never been more impressed by someone’s public speaking ability. He could engage with the audience and panellists, offer humour where it is acceptable and still have such a great wide range of knowledge on the subjects. He would always ‘force the issue’ and ensure that the panellists had to answer directly without possibility to ‘duck’ the question.

I thoroughly enjoyed the event and could not be more grateful for the opportunity I was given. I now feel that I am much more aware and knowledgeable in the pressing issues which will affect me when we do reach 2020.

Alex Masterton

Guernsey IOD - Directors Of Tomorrow

Guernsey IOD - 2020 Where Will We Be?