This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mann

CONCERNS exist about where leadership in the next States will come from.

Privately, current and former deputies fear for the future of the island even before the electorate whittles down the 88 nominations in the election to 45, but few will speak out so early.

Islanders go to the polls on Wednesday 23 April with internal elections for chief minister, ministers and then departmental and committee members following that.

Former deputy Ann Robilliard was disappointed with the list of candidates. ‘Where is our chief minister coming from? Who has really got the ability, everything that’s needed for the job? I think there are very few people. As for ministers, again I think very few people have the ability – I think it’s really serious.’

Deputy chief minister Stuart Falla was many people’s first choice to take over from current incumbent Mike Torode, but he has decided against standing.

‘I don’t blame Deputy Falla for packing it in. He would have made a very fine chief minister, but I don’t blame him for not standing. He’s right – it can be very unpleasant in the States,’ said Mrs Robilliard.

Deputy Torode said there were many new faces in the nominations whom he did not know.

‘I can only guess by the bits and pieces I’ve heard that we have a broad spread of experience and ability and gradually their strengths and weaknesses will come out at the hustings and so forth,’ he said.

‘There are perhaps two or three who seem to be single-issue candidates. I’m not sure they will find it as rewarding, assuming they get elected, as those people who have got a broad mandate.’

Outgoing Treasury Department member and Public Sector Remuneration Committee chairman Jonathan Le Tocq was pleased that an election was guaranteed in every district.

Of the current States members, 17 will not be standing and some observers fear a loss of experience.

‘Some of those who are standing have only been in for one term. It’s better than nothing, but they are still fairly new,’ said Deputy Le Tocq.

‘I think that whatever the election brings, there will be a new feel to the House.

‘Of those standing that I’ve seen, and I’ve not had time to analyse it in depth, some have tried before – political individuals who are keeping their ear to the ground and know something of political work in Guernsey. But there are quite a considerable number of names that, as far as I know, have no experience and haven’t engaged strongly in the political process in the past – for them, it will be a very steep learning curve.’

Health minister Peter Roffey is another member not standing this time around. He also said there were lots of candidates he did not know.

‘Numerically, it’s quite a reasonable set of candidates. Ideally you have two running for every seat and then you will do well, but it depends on how many are good candidates,’ said Deputy Roffey.

He admitted there had been moments when he had been tempted to stand, but said once the decision had been made he had to stick to it.

Article posted on 28th March, 2008 - 2.29pm