Economic Development Minister: Senator Philip Ozouf

[Limpet]

Just two questions that I would have liked Senator Ozouf to answer re the proposed monies to be paid to agents in China and India: -

what type of business this investment is expected to attract?

what is the expected monetary benefit to the island?

I'm sure that some sort of business plan/budget must have been written somewhere.

My thoughts - It's difficult to see exactly what types of business would come here - some share registration, some alternative fund business, some capital market business perhaps - I cannot see a huge influx, which takes us on to the second point: -

To get back anything on our GBP400,000 per annum investment, remembering that most financial businesses will be paying 10% income tax on profits in Jersey, this business would have to generate GBP4 million per year, however we must not forget that most firms would be working on about 30 - 35% profit margins, therefore the actual income required to generate sufficent tax receipts to cover taxpayers initial investment would be around GBP12 million per year.

That would seem an extremely optimistic forecast to me

[boatyboy]

Economic Minister Phillip Ozouf has stated that tourism is up 3% in the JEP and he was very pleased. Other tourism attracting businesses say that this year is the same or down on last year. Trying to offer a balanced view the credit crunch and utility rises must be affecting  tourists who just do not have the extra disposable income at the moment to spend freely.

As a businessman and one of the cleverer states members the figure of 3% mentioned by Minister Ozouf is supposed to give a little good news and I suppose does, better than -3%. However businesses on Jersey doing  a simple bit of adding up. GST 3% plus (alleged) typical inflation 3.5% = 6.5%

Therefore if tourism is actually 3% up it means businesses are still 3.5% down depending of course on what the spending power of those that arrive here.  All of us, businesses or private households have to earn 6.5% more,  just to achieve the same spending power as 2007.

[Jack]

I think he is far less capable than he would like you to think he is.

A good P.R. “front man”, articulate and persuasive on the surface, but shallow upon deeper examination.

At first glance he appears to be hard working and in control of the tasks he is given, in reality, I think a shiny veneer of spin hides the mess he is making behind the scenes.

Groomed by Senator Walker, the future of the oligarchy, I do not trust him.

I hope he proves my words wrong.

[Jason the Maverick]

He has done a lot for finance and does his best with tourism.  I think he is unfairly labeled sometimes as Walker's poodle because he evidently thinks for himself from what I have seen and heard from him.  We have spoken to Phil and he has agreed to come on here later on towards the elections, even if to just answer his critics. 

What I do know is that they are fully aware of all the concerns people have about GST etc.  It is not like it is being swept under the carpet, and they do get concerned when people get upset about things.  Whether Phil is more representative of the higher classes living in Jersey is questionable though.  But then again the people who claim to be more concerned about the lower classes don't really have much tact when it comes to putting their messages across. 

I think the new Government after Walker will have to look more closely at the less well off in Jersey.  It cannot be ignored.

[Al]

But then again the people who claim to be more concerned about the lower classes don't really have much tact when it comes to putting their messages across. 

Yeah!! Grubby little proles!! Neither reasonable nor respectable!! What do they know about tact?!?

[Jason the Maverick]

Zilch.  There are better people not actually in Government that make a better case for the less well off.

[Jack]

JTM, what do I think?

What defines class, what separates the islands people into three separate divisions and thus divided turns one against the other? 

In my opinion it is the politician whom by his own ignorance becomes the champion of any one of these three classes, in doing so perpetuates the division in society and perverts true democracy.

I think it is not a question of class, working, middle or upper, they do exist within our island, it is a question of representing all three, fairly and openly in truth.

In my opinion, is Senator Ozouf his own man, expressing his own freedom of political expression on behalf of the people who have put their faith in him, representing all?

You decide........

Again, I hope he proves my words wrong.

[Jason the Maverick]

There are too many multi millionaires in Government and it is evident that they are protecting their own interests, at least in my opinion.

This is why I believe the salary for a states member should be reviewed.  £43K a year may seem like mega bucks to somebody only on £20K but by Jersey standards it is not mega bucks because you could not afford to buy a house on this money.  So the mega weathly like to stand.  I am not saying the salary should be raised substantially, but management jobs in most sectors are higher than this.

As for representation of classes, or perhaps a better way to describe class in Jersey is by how much you are worth.  You could argue that the JDA have never shown any support for the 13,000 people and their families who work in finance.

The left will always be outnumbered by the right in Jersey so it is probably up to the left to show more respect for the other classes.  At the moment there is a divide in Government, be it small.  But the attitude of the JDA is certainly proven to be unprogressive for the people it makes out it represents, and probably due to its attitude in the house and relationship with other politicians in general.

Geoff Southern is most guilty of going against the grain, but it never gets him anywhere.  The JT debacle is a fine example of Political meddling.

[boatyboy]

Senator Phillip Ozouf is one of our brighter politicians but where does he stand today in the ever changing Jersey. There are two facts I would like to share with planetjersey readers. Firstly at an older chamber of commerce dinner meeting at the P'dor Hotel, Philip was the guest speaker. He told us exactly where he was placed in Jersey politics if I may quote almost word for word.

If Frank Walker is the train driver and Terry Le Suer the Engineer then I see my self as the head stoker.

The second fact is that Freddie Cohen and Phillip Ozouf  worked as a team to physically display Terry Le Suers posters on Victoria Avenue by the Grand Hotel traffic lights at his last election. I happend to be driving past and saw them.

Does he still assimilate and relate on political issues with his old running mates, being on the council of ministers with them ? Its a reasonable question Senator Ozouf. As you are a member now of planetjersey would it be possible to ask you to offer an answer ?

[boatyboy]

Quote from JTM

Geoff Southern is most guilty of going against the grain, but it never gets him anywhere.  The JT debacle is a fine example of Political meddling.

Its really cool JTM for you to be one of the architects with vision to set up this site with a clever plan to stimulate positive discussion and empower individuals from all walks of life ( I see Boggy lives in Germany). The idea to have a platform with which to talk openly about everything that affects our home (Jersey) is terrific. You have also put down a template which also encourages colourful political discussion. All for the good and knowledge of the people. How many of the 230 members are going against the grain, Geoff Southern has had several successes in the states, I find it amazing that you put your name and hard work into a political web site, and then denounce free speech, the basis of democracy but seen another way political meddling !!

[Jason the Maverick]

He meddles all the time BB, you remember the Town Hall meeting on the pensions?  Even John Henwood said that he had interfered with JT for political means and the company is now losing money and losing value.  My contribution to this website is irrelevant.  At least I don’t cost you money!

[Jack]

Deputy Geoffrey Southern is another example of my earlier post, and as such, perverts true democracy.


JTM, what do I think?

What defines class, what separates the islands people into three separate divisions and thus divided turns one against the other? 

In my opinion it is the politician whom by his own ignorance becomes the champion of any one of these three classes, in doing so perpetuates the division in society and perverts true democracy.

I think it is not a question of class, working, middle or upper, they do exist within our island, it is a question of representing all three, fairly and openly in truth.

In my opinion, is Senator Ozouf his own man, expressing his own freedom of political expression on behalf of the people who have put their faith in him, representing all?

You decide........

Again, I hope he proves my words wrong.

[Conductor]

He is called Geoff "Stubborn" on facebook 

[Nick Palmer]

He is called Geoff "Stubborn" on facebook 

How does anyone find the Jersey political comment on Facebook etc? By which I mean how does one search for the political groups on facebook, not what is your opinion on it!

[The Rev Peter Sarkey]

How does anyone find the Jersey political comment on Facebook etc? By which I mean how does one search for the political groups on facebook, not what is your opinion on it!

Glad to see youre doing your research Nick - ps despite the lampooning under "let's get personal" you still get my vote.