DEPUTY John Langlois was the shock absentee from candidates for next month’s election as declarations closed yesterday. The president of the Island Development Committee, a States member for more than 20 years, had given no clue as to whether he would quit the States.
The Castel deputy, who had also been a conseiller under an earlier style of election, had served the States since 1980.
He had twice been president of IDC and also headed the Housing, Horticulture and Civil Defence Committees. He is the vice-president of the Advisory and Finance Committee.
Deputy Langlois, 61, was unavailable for comment last night, but retiring deputy John Roper said he appreciated his reasons for getting out.
‘It is understandable because he has had many kicks over the years. But president of the IDC was a poisoned chalice,’ he said.
‘He was one of the most able members of the States in the sense that he was so well qualified from his experience. He will be an enormous loss to the States.
‘John not handing his form in is a real shame, which is the opposite to most of those people on the list.’
Deputy John Gollop said that he was shocked at Deputy Langlois’ departure.
‘He is seen as a senior member of the States who would be a strong candidate for chief minister or treasury and resources minister,’ he said.
‘It will be a great loss at a time of uncertainty and change. He had a great range and depth of thinking that made him a very strong member of the States.’
Deputy Dave Barrett said that Deputy Langlois’s experience would be missed.
‘I pay tribute to his commitment to the island’s governance. We have personally had our differences but we all serve together in the States so although we might have differences in policy, it has never been personal from my point of view and I don’t think he thought it was personal either.’
Also absent from the 82 candidates nominated for 45 seats was Advocate Peter Ferbrache. Touted by many as a chief minister in the making, he confirmed last year that he would stand but never came forward and has not said why.
His secretary at his advocates’ firm yesterday said that the former conseiller and deputy would comment if he wanted to.
Forty States members will stand again for the States on 21 April, including seven douzaine representatives. Only one is certain to lose their seat - seven members are standing for six seats in the western parishes.
There is at least one vacancy for a new face in Castel, Vale, and St Peter Port North and South.
Nine candidates put their name forward yesterday. At the last election in 2000, 69 candidates stood for 45 seats.
Deputy Roper said that he did not think that an increase in pay for States members - successful candidates can expect to claim about £27,000 a year, about double what they currently earn - had played a part in the nomination process.
‘My point was that it should not be used to encourage certain types of candidate to stand but to pay more reasonably people who are committed to working in the States.’
Article posted on 27th March, 2004 - 12.00am
Loading ...
Most Commented: