I'm putting my daughters first

EASING the burden on his daughters of being the child of a States member is a major factor behind Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq not standing for re-election. The deputy Treasury minister announced at the end of last week he was standing down and has now explained his reasons for doing so.

Despite being one of the favourites for a ministerial role in the next House if successful in the elections, he said he needed to put his family first.

'At the moment my three daughters are all in their teenage years and I'm very aware as a States member there is a lot of pressure on them and they have suffered from that.

'Not only from just not seeing me, but for the fact that there's no anonymity in Guernsey and people know they're my daughters.

'I don't want them to have to go through that for another four years while at school and I want to be the best father I can be.

'People ought to know that there is a massive sacrifice of being a States member in Guernsey, because you are so accessible to people.'

Deputy Le Tocq said he had been thinking about stepping down for the past six to nine months.

'Over here people know who you are and there's an effect on your family because of it. In the last few years it has been quite heavy on them.

'We've also been looking after my parents for the last four years. My mum has died and my dad is going to be 95 next week. We have a responsibility to look after him.'

On top of his family commitments, Deputy Le Tocq is also the leader of Church on the Rock in St Sampson's.

'If I wasn't a church leader it could be different, but I don't want to give that up and I want to give my best in that area.

'I don't think I could do everything and give my best attention to the States - clearly for the next four years anyway.'

The 43-year-old, who is currently the fifth youngest deputy, admits he is sad to be walking away and disappointed he won't be in the frame for a ministerial position, but he has not ruled out coming back.

'I've done eight years in the States and I definitely don't rule out standing again.

'I still intend to be political, it's just that I won't be doing so as a States member. I'm a church leader and I will still continue to speak out.

'You don't need to be a deputy to do that.'

As well as being a member of Treasury, the Castel deputy is chairman of the Public Sector Remuneration Committee, a member of the Government Business Plan team and labour utilisation strategy group.

With so many prominent members not seeking re-election, he is worried the next House might lack experience.

'I'm all for young people standing but you need a majority and a good nucleus of experienced people. In a way, I think the days of States members of 40 years' service have now gone.'