Shown below is an abridged version of the speech Frank Walker gave when standing for election as Chief Minister. If you wish to see a video of the full speech, go here:
http://tinyurl.com/244296The thing to keep in mind whilst reading the speech is that it was made just
two years ago.
So do you think Frank Walker kept the promises he made, and do you think he stayed true to his word in regards to his comments about how a Chief Minister - and ministerial government - should behave?
"The people of Jersey will expect the first Chief Minister to care passionately about the island, it's ways, it's people. They'll expect him to be a capable and dynamic leader, and they'll want him to be a team player, and a force for unity, and to respect our unique identity and way of life.
Both politically and personally, I want to continue to protect Jersey and its people. To preserve and enhance our special identity, sustain our precious enviroment - and that means our heritage and architecture, aswell as our spectacular beaches, cliffs and countryside.
If I were elected Chief Minister, I full recognise that I would need to work on behalf of
all our community, and I would want to use our reinvigorated economy to focus much more attention on the social needs of the island. Jersey is a wealthy community, yet there are far too many people, who for one reason or another, are not sharing in that wealth, and now is the time to concentrate on them.
Another priority would be to create more opportunity for people to own their own homes. It just can't be right that in a community like ours we have such a low proportion of homeowners.
It is of the the greatest importance that ministerial government not only works but is
seen to work. The council, and the Chief Minister in particular, will need to work hard to establish trust within the island and to reconnect the States with the people of Jersey. This will call for the
highest standards and principles of transparency, and an ability to communicate openly and effectively with the entire community.
If members give me the honour of leading the island's first ministerial council, I make the following promises;
I will relish and rise to the challenge set before me.
I will respect the standard that the office holds.
I will set our targets high to achieve success.
But more importantly, and above all, I will never,
ever, let the people of Jersey down."
