Some answers ‘just meant to please’

By Joel de Woolfson

St Peter Port North candidates face the electorate.

ST PETER PORT NORTH voters had the chance to grill their election candidates last night.

The hustings at Beau Sejour attracted about 250 people who wanted to hear the views of potential deputies on a wide range of issues. These included the workings of the douzaine, vandalism, the potential development of Belle Greve, possible cuts to the island’s education system and the lack of night buses.

A member of the audience also asked for candidates’ opinions on the States manual workers’ pay negotiations and subsequent strike threat. Chairman Barry Cash, a junior constable of St Peter Port, said some candidates gave answers that the electorate would want to hear.

‘When you are allowing them all to answer the questions, it’s difficult to stop repetition,’ he said.

‘Some of the answers they gave were what they thought the questioner wanted to hear instead of an objective opinion. A lot of the answers would involve spending more money to achieve the expectations of the electorate rather than identifying more-efficient ways of spending the money they have got.’

Mr Cash said he was also disappointed that a lot of the candidates did not know much about the workings of the douzaine.

Richard Haines, 62, said he thought the hustings had gone well.

‘There were a few questions that I did not feel needed to be put to the candidates,’ he said. ‘But I think most of the questions were good and most of them answered well. I had a good idea who I was going to vote for and I have not changed my mind. I just reinforced my thinking.’

Aidan Matthews said he thought there had been some good performances.

‘There was an interesting range of experience in terms of how the questions were answered and the knowledge the candidates had about the way the States works,’ said the 33-year-old.

‘I think some of the newer candidates might find themselves disappointed that the States does not work in the way they think it does.’