It’s not too often that you hear the banking world talking about its conscience, but last night’s annual Ashburton jamboree in Jersey was di...

It’s not too often that you hear the banking world talking about its conscience, but last night’s annual Ashburton jamboree in Jersey was different.

This year the organisers decided on a “Question Time” style debate hosted by BBC stalwart Peter Hobday.

Amongst the panel of worthies discussing the theme “Is the democracy in politics de-railing globalisation?” was the Nobel prize-winning ex-premier of South Africa FW De Klerk.

Mr De Klerk enthralled the invited audience and fellow panellist, including ex-UK Chancellor Kenneth Clarke and Frank Walker, Jersey’s Chief Minister, with an impassioned plea for Africa.

Poor countries cannot participate in the benefits that free trade and globalisation are bringing to the world unless they are first given the basic tools, principally education, that the members of the developed world enjoy, he said.

Mr De Klerk stole the show and so moved the audience that one member declared that Mr De Klerk represented the conscience of the conference.

Hats off to Ashburton, for providing the platform for the wealth management industry to express its appreciation to that rare breed of politician who actually makes a difference in the world.