Backlash grows over free dinner for States Members

Tuesday 21 October 2014

More than 1,100 people have signed a petition about a free black-tie event for departing politicians in 24 hours - and one States Member leaving the House has called on his colleagues not to dump the bill on the public.

Despite a looming £95 million black hole in States finances, taxpayers are expected to foot the bill - estimated at £8,000 - for the swanky night out for retiring States Members and their partners in the opulent surroundings of La Mare Vineyards on Thursday evening.

The online petition started by St Ouen resident Sandra Bisson already has over 1,170 signatures. She feels that politicians’ dining out at Islanders’ expense is an “insult to ordinary working people who are struggling to feed their families” and plans to stage a silent protest at La Mare Vineyards on Thursday evening if the dinner does go ahead.

Meanwhile Murray Norton - the newly elected Deputy for St Brelade No 1 - says he’s organizing a Tennerfest meal for the  “class of 2014”, the new Members who have just been elected to the House, and he says that everyone will be paying for themselves.

John Young - the former Deputy who unsuccessfully stood for "promotion" to the Senatorial benches last week - said that the meal should go ahead, but that politicians and former politicians should put their hands in their pockets, not dump the bill on the taxpayer.

"I do not think that the event should be cancelled, but I do think that Members should pay for themselves," he said.

"I'd like to go to say goodbye to the people that I've worked with, but I shall be paying for myself and my wife. If they won't take it, I'll make an equivalent donation to charity. It's up to Members what they want to do, but I will certainly be communicating with them and saying that."

Treasury Minister Philip Ozouf has also committed to paying for the dinner.

You can see the petition here.