NINE States members lost their seat in the House overnight as islanders voted for change - and for youth. Two well-known local personalities were the stars of the election as former St Martin’s Primary School head teacher Geoff Mahy and Mr Island Games Stuart Falla both topped their respective polls, each with more than 2,200 votes.
Casualties included controversial Town deputy Tony Webber, Roy Bisson, Public Thoroughfares Committee president Peter Bougourd and three others in the new country parishes district.
Mr Mahy, who quit his job to stand in the Vale, ruled out an immediate involvement with the Education Department.
‘In the first instance it would be wise to look for a different department,’ he said. ‘My main aim is to be a responsible States member who puts people before things. I believe that for a successful community we must put people first.’
In the Castel, Mr Falla said he was overwhelmed. Although he had expected to make the States, ‘this is better than I could have hoped for’.
He ruled out any suggestion that he would be in line for chief minister. ‘I cannot believe anybody would take anybody off the street as the new chief minister.’
However, he is considered to be a strong contender for the new Commerce and Employment Department.
Three are now likely to be battling for the chief minister’s position. Laurie Morgan, a St Peter Port poll-topper for the first time in his career, and fifth-placed Castel candidate Bernard Flouquet had already declared. Now Mike Torode is likely to do the same, after a dramatic - and poll-topping - return in the South-East.
Other newcomers to surprise or perform well were David de Lisle, third in the West; Charles Parkinson, second in the South-East; Scott Ogier, fourth in St Sampson’s, Jack Honeybill, second in St Peter Port North, and the new baby of the House, 28-year-old Duncan Staples, in the Vale.
Deputy Webber alleged that fellow members and candidates had engaged in a smear campaign against him as he crashed out of the States after 13 years.
‘I’m disappointed but I look at the example of Michael Portillo. He came back and won with a big majority after suffering defeat.’
Deputy Bougourd said he would quit politics. ‘Having had a long run in the States, perhaps that’s what people realised - it’s time to go.’
* Deputy Bisson called for a recount, likely to be held today, after he narrowly missed out in St Peter Port South.
Article posted on 22nd April, 2004 - 12.00am
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