Health and Social Services Minister: Senator Ben Shenton

[Jason the Maverick]

How do you rate Senator Ben Shenton?

[Millennium Man]

I have met Ben a few times and he does listen to people a little more than the other established non carers of the working class or the poor.  A bit of a 'peoples man' though but no Stuart Syvret.

[AHITS]

He's only been on the radar for a relatively short period, but I've seen enough to convince me thus far that Shenton is not a Minister with an agenda of self-serving interests. He comes across to me as a man who's simply focused on doing his job to the best of his ability, fully aware of his responsibilty to the public.

So for Shenton, it's a 5 out of 10. It's hard to rate higher because he's so new to the game, but if one politician does appear have the potential to do great things as a future Chief Minister, I'd say right now it looks to be Shenton.

[Terminator 4]

I wonder whether "Dick" is pulling his son's strings?

[danrok]

He has said that he was not aware of the statement issued by Frank Walker on behalf of the council of ministers, over child abuse. Saying that it was "clearly a mistake" to say that it was issued on behalf of the council when he was not even aware of it.

I get the impression that he is leaning to Stuart Syvret's side, although perhaps not as loudly as he could. Let's hope that he is giving him some support.

[Al]

No comments on the leaked email?!?
There seems to be an agenda at work here... On March 1st on his blog Stuart Syvret says "Ben Shenton is being spoken of as a new leader for Jersey - a man of integrity and values; a social conscience, and an understanding of business. Essentially – a man who can unite the community at what is, perhaps, its greatest hour of need." and a few days later an indiscreet and ill-advised email finds it's way into the hands of the Daily Mail!!!

I see he has now apologised and the threat of legal action by Lenny Harper has been withdrawn... If he wants to make a sincere apology then there will be a few people around the Royal Square midday on Saturday. He will have to be patient tho' - Frank Walker is surely first in the queue to apologise!

On a general note... With an enquiry which involves digging for the possible remains of children and sifting thro' rubble let's please see an end to the use of the cliche "leaving no stone unturned". It seems ill-advised and darkly graphic (and over-used).

[danrok]

He did make a major blunder there. Let's hope it was the first and last. At least he did apologise, unlike Walker who is standing by his "shafting" remark.

[Al]

Like a first impression, in politics does anyone get more than one chance to make a major blunder?...I don't think so... Sadly he has been seen to make one and, thro reasons not of his choosing, it has been spread accross the media worldwide.
I think this is likely to be his last (and only) major blunder.

[Pomme de terre]

He did make a major blunder there. Let's hope it was the first and last. At least he did apologise, unlike Walker who is standing by his "shafting" remark.

It is not an apology to say "I'm sorry if Lenny Harper was offended".
It is an apology when you say "I'm sorry".

He compounded his error by saying something along the lines of "anyway, it was an internal email, so that makes it alright".  Has this man - a supposedly intelligent director of an investment management business - learned nothing from Microsoft's "oh dear, look what one of our employees wrote in an email" experience during the EU anti-trust case?

Inept. 0/10.

[en830]

Interesting letter in tonight's rag from Ben Shenton's wife. I must admit I agree with her sentiments everyone, even our politicians, has a right to a family life and why should this be any different because of the euphoria that has been experienced over the past few weeks. I can also understand the feelings that she has had resurrected because of the revelations from the past few weeks, someone very close to me has gone through the same process, it is difficult.

[Eastern correspondent]

Ben Shenton penned a letter to the JEP (18/9/08) stating the following

' It is my opinion that the current council of ministers are one of the most unprofessional and manipulative groups of individuals I have ever had the misfortune to work with. They represent the wishes of senior civil servants rather than the people of this island and their capacity to mislead their elected colleagues is breathtaking'

In response and again through the pages of the JEP - Frank Walker(19/9/08) replied

'We ( the com ) had no warning of this, no hint that it was to come, ALL his fellow ministers regard this as a stab in the back, if this had taken place a number of months ago I do not believe it would have been possible for his fellow ministers to work with him, but as we do not see him that often at COM meetings anyway, and because there is not going to be any new business over the next few months it is not worth the upheaval. The word is that Senator Shenton will be standing for Chief Minister. If this is the way he treats his colleagues, I do not think his prospects of lasting very long will be that great'

The spat involves a proposition raised by John Le Fondre being debated in the 'house' this coming week concerning raising of tax thresholds and increasing benefits instead of exempting food from GST. Shenton claims that the proposition is not Le Fondres but is actually policy being engineered by senior civil servants,plus Le Sueur and Ozouf and is actually government policy dressed up as a private members bill.

If these allegations are true what do such allegations actually mean?
If Ben Shenton actually has such a low opinion of his coleagues surely he shoudl resign? If the Chief Minister thinks that his Shenton is so dishonourable, and does not pull hi sweight in the COM - sack him!

If the Le Fondre proposition is merely an Ozouf/Le Sueur/ Senior Civil Servant  proposition -why the cloak and dagger approach?

This proposition should get through if it is debated next week, I actually believe that Le Fondre is just a front man and that the policy is not all his own work - surely it make sense to engage civil servants in policy formation - they earn enough and many of them are highly qualified individuals.

Superficially we have a chamber of 53 independant politicians - in reality we  we have a ruling elite known as 'The Establishment Party'..........this composes of the Council of Ministers and numerous sympathisers in the ranks.
There are insufficient 'non establishment party' politicians to put up any purposeful opposition to the majority of propositions brought before the house.

The electorate are obviously happy with this set up as 70% don't bother voting - if Mr Shenton thinks his letter is breaking news - forget it - the majority are not bothered...................stick to your day job Ben Shenton!

[Eastern correspondent]

comments please!

[ageofaquarius]

If he is looking to be CM perhaps this is a spin and he is trying for the popularity vote, maybe he is doing a Stuart

[churchill]

BEN SHENTON IS A PLAYER.

Don't be fooled by his seemingly people friendly appeal.

I give him a - 1 . 
recently i wrote to him with a complaint against somebody in the care service. I requested to meet him personally.
I received a letter from his side kick saying they would look into it.

pigs bottom did they.

I WILL BE KNOCKING ON HIS DOOR DEMANDING A PROPER INVESTIGATION INTO MY COMPLAINT.

CHEERS.  ALVIN.

[ageofaquarius]

My gut reaction is that he will sing from the same song sheet as the moral majority, his Dad he ain't.