Falklands debates full time lawmakers and how to attract younger generations to elected posts
With the next general election for Legislative Assembly Members for the Falkland Islands Government less than a year away, public consultation has begun on whether the posts should become full time with an appropriate salary paid.
Several of the current Assembly Members have expressed concern at the lack of young candidates putting themselves forward for election and separate discussions and meetings have been held to explore ways of encouraging the younger generation to take an active role in the running of the country.
Former Assembly Member for both the Camp and Stanley constituencies and currently working for the Members Remuneration Review Panel, Richard Cockwell, chaired a public meeting on Monday where many members of the public voiced their opinion that the time had come for Members to be suitably rewarded for the steadily increasing work load they have.
Some members of the public said that £40,000 per annum was suitable remuneration for a full time Assembly Member, while a lesser number thought it unnecessary to pay more for the services provided.
Further meetings are to be held including one with the younger members of the community next month.
Given that the youngest current Assembly Member is 50 years old, and the last injection of the under 50s in the form of Janet Robertson and Andrea Clausen elected in 2005, failed to inspire the electorate to reinstate them in 2009, MercoPress went out and about this week to find out in advance how favourably the younger generation would view a full time paid position.
Roddy Cordeiro (32) who works for Mineral Resources said he was convinced there was a need for full-time, salaried MLAs and that people from a wider demographic background would be encouraged to stand for election if they didn’t have to sacrifice their existing time and/or income.
“At the moment we have a system whereby only those who can afford the time and money to do so (or those with, very understanding employers) can effectively stand. This reduces the candidate pool considerably and I believe stops fresh thinking and ideas from entering the political system. Furthermore, and particularly as we look to increasingly reach out internationally, we need professional MLAs who can fully devote their time to the task at home and abroad. We are a self-governing country and we should have a system that recognises the work load and responsibility that entails,” said Mr Cordeiro
The choice to stand should be one borne out of civic duty, but the reality is that serving office would be an invaluable career opportunity, he said adding, “I do not believe therefore that there should be specific MLA pensions, sabbaticals or post-saving for those taking office; I think a four year contract is a perfectly safe career choice and we should not be looking to provide a safety net.”
Environmental Officer Nick Rendell (30) has witnessed the heavy work load and associated issues that are a less savoury part of being an MLA when his father Mike Rendell served and does not feel it is a career move he would choose at the moment.
“A decent wage would definitely make it a possibility and would likely make it a more attractive option for under 30s,” he said, but added that he was still not sure the average younger person would like the risk of leaving a career for a four year contract. “I still think altruism comes heavily into the equation,” he said, adding: “If the Falklands Government could encourage employers to offer leave of duty while contracted as MLA, this would help younger people take a ‘career break’ while serving as an MLA.”
One 35 year old Islander said he was definitely interested in politics. “Whilst money isn't everything, there is a need to cover costs. With the present structure I wouldn't be able to afford to stand as I have no savings. Being paid a salary around £40k per year removes that obstacle. I think we are entering very interesting times and it would be great to be part of that. I think full time should be an option, although I am sure there could also be some very good candidates in the private sector that may need to remain part time,” he told MercoPress.
Another Islander in his late twenties said although he was fully supportive of the option of full time MLAs, he was slightly surprised to hear that a figure of £40,000 was the consensus view at the public meeting and was worried that such a high figure would attract interest for the wrong reasons.
This view was shared by Sulivan Shipping’s Tourism Coordinator Samantha Marsh (29) who said although she appreciated the ever increasing workload and the need for fulltime MLAs she had concerns that such a salary would be the sole motivation for some rather than, “a passion for the Islands and its future.”
“Personally I feel the job of MLA is something best suited to those who have experience and knowledge, and this is something that comes with age. If I ever considered standing for election I would not do so until my late 30s as I do not feel I have enough ‘life experience’ if you will.
“Younger people such as Krysteen Ormond have proved they have the mettle to represent the Islands well overseas, but our youngsters may be reluctant to put a potential career on hold whilst being a full time MLA, which is understandable. I am not sure if even such an attractive wage would change this,” Miss Marsh told MercoPress.
Krysteen Ormond (23) who is studying overseas and recently took part in a Falklands delegation at the C24 in New York last June said she had indeed pondered the idea of standing for election and, due to the current restrictions and low pay, had assumed it would have to wait until she had retired and had the time and money. “If it were decided that MLA roles were to be salaried, I would definitely give the idea a bit more consideration,” she said.
Miss Ormond said she could see the real benefit of full time salaried MLAs even at £20,000 per annum.
“It would make it more accessible to a wider group of people. There have been problems in the past with work commitments conflicting with political commitments, as obviously, most people need to work to survive as well as being an MLA or they need the flexibility of self- or semi-employment to free up the time to pursue a political career. If it were a salaried role, I feel that more people would be able to really consider the role, as the financial fear would no longer be there.”
Penguin News journalist Teslyn Barkman had some reservations about such a high wage as £40,000. “It’s very hard to say no to the prospect of any job that offers £40,000 with the only requirement being elected into it,” she said. Increase payments to a living wage of £20,000 not £40,000, or elections could be turned compared to a lottery event every four years, warned Miss Barkman. “We need honest working, rational people willing to work for a decent wage, not an influx of gold digging applicants looking for a pay packet with little job requirements beyond public opinion,” she said.
By Sharon Jaffray – MercoPress – Stanley
Suggested Stories
-
May 23rd 2013
Falkland Islands wish for normal neighborly relations with all South American neighbors
-
May 22nd 2013
Falklands and other BOT should be given a seat in the Commons, says MEP Farage
-
May 21st 2013
Falkland Islands: it’s a three-side debate; Argentina must recognize Islanders right to decide their future
-
May 21st 2013
Falklands: optimism about identification of the unknown Argentine soldiers
19 comments Feed
Note: Comments do not reflect MercoPress’ opinions. They are the personal view of our users. We wish to keep this as open and unregulated as possible. However, rude or foul language, discriminative comments (based on ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation or the sort), spamming or any other offensive or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. Please report any inadequate posts to the editor. Comments must be in English. Thank you.
I'll need a driver for the Landy too...
Bog Monster would do...
He's an ok driver...
I can recommend the excellent Oxford Pocket English Dictionary in order that you can understand the meaning of ‘honest’, ‘working’ and ‘rational’. I realise that this eminent publication may not be readily available in Argentina since TMBOA tried to have all book imports banned, but I am confident you can find the information on the internet.
The words you should have used to describe yourself readily jump to mind. These are ‘dishonest’, ‘workshy’ and ‘irrational’ together with ‘liar’, ‘obfuscator’ and, of course, ‘The Turnip In Chief’.
No need to thank me, I know you appreciate the Brits view of you.
You forgot to say “ looser ” .
- Q: What's a looser?
- A: An Anglo that can't spell loser....
;-)
I've read that there are more surveillance cameras per square mile in London than anywhere else......
The opposite being true in rural Argentina is one of the things someone likes about it.
I should lay off the drugs if I were you, I might understand what you are trying to say.
Bog Monster? Are you talking about heavy Luxton?
Remember, his occupation is “dust extraction” not driving
Sometimes your posts have kind of a poetic dimension on them.....
Has young McDod succeeded in “throwing in his lot” with a Kelperette yet? ;-)
@12 I'm not sure parties are actually banned as much as everyone with a vote belongs to the virtual “Community” party. The super new FIG website says “No political parties are represented on the present Legislative Assembly, all Members being elected as independents. There is no formal opposition.” That implies that there is the possibility of party politics when the Community becomes diverse and large enough to support it.
How about setting up a non-partisan falklands youth council and letting the interested get involved in local governance early and then hopefully they'll keep involved once they've matured somewhat.
With only old-folks and no youth, you have no change, with only old-folks and no change, you die miserably like british manufacturing in the 1980s.
Interesting ideas and you're correct about getting some young blood. We've had a few young MLAs in recent years but unfortunately it didn't work out too well for quite a few of them. Some were unlucky to be part of one of the most unpopular (in the end) groups we've had in a long time so they are got booted out in 2009. Since then there have been some more but for various reasons they didn't realise longevity.
You've only just arrived on Mercopress if I am correct. I can't place you as one of the old guard re-badged either, although I could be wrong. Care to tell us a thing or two about yourself and your interest in these news items? Only if it suits you to. This is not some sort of La Campora request. You'll be free to carry on if you choose not to respond.
You say:
“I can't place you as one of the old guard re-badged either, although I could be wrong.”
I say:
You are wrong.......... Try GreekYoghurt....
One of our best Sock-Puppets ;-)
@15 It's not unanticipated that the youth will become unpopular. Typically in local councils the youths have ideas like building a skate-park, sports centre or a youth-club and the slightly more ancient folks in the society think it's a dreadful idea because of all the noise that will stop them listening to the Archers in silence. Then they vote in some guy who is the same generation as they are and the sports centre money is spent on another war memorial or free wheelchairs. Then all the young people emigrate somewhere fun.
Now, I'm not against free wheel-chairs, but one of the big issues in the falklands is keeping and attracting the youth, who in turn bring innovation. They need jobs and interesting things to do. They also need to feel engaged in the process. Even the jesuits realised that you need to get them early.
My interests are simply as an observer looking into the sullied fish pond that is Argentina looking to see the fish screwing each other over and stealing from one another. It helps to remind me that nothing in life is that bad.
[b][url=www.digtiffany.com/jewelry-bracelets-c-46_58.html]Buy Tiffany Bracelets[/url][/b]
[b][url=www.digtiffany.com/jewelry-brooches-c-46_57.html]Brooches[/url][/b]
[b][url=www.digtiffany.com/jewelry-brooches-c-46_57.html]Discount Tiffany Brooches[/url][/b]
[b]
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!