‘I don’t believe the States understands how hard it can be for some’
AFTER a last-minute decision to stand in 2016, one of the candidates in this year’s election has given himself much more time to get his name out there.
Ross Le Brun was one of the first of those running independently to declare his intention to stand and feels that those with his type of working class background are under-represented in the States and argues that affects the decision-making process.
Four years ago he got his name in half an hour before the nomination deadline passed and was left at the back of the queue for preparations such as getting manifestos printed – he subsequently failed to win a seat in the Castel.
‘You have to put yourself out there, be confident,’ he said.
He believes that education will be a key election issue – a review of the proposed two-school model is under way.
‘Unfortunately there are a lot of people that will vote only on that.
‘It’s not just the number of buildings, it’s not that easy, but choosing the best of whatever design they come up with that’s inclusive.’
Having spoken to a teacher friend, he said he understood that Education’s proposal was the only way that could deliver the same resources across all the sites so that students received parity.
The solution needed to be affordable as well, he said.
Mr Le Brun will not join a party and he is not aligned to any candidates: ‘I don’t want to be seen using any other people’s names or personalities to get in.
‘There are candidates from parties from a marketing background, the parties can pool their wealth together.
‘But that’s up to them, I think whatever I’m offering will appeal to the majority of the island because the majority of the island are the harder-done-by working class, 60% of the island earn less than a deputy earns.
‘I don’t believe the States understand how hard it can be for some people.’
n The Guernsey Partnership of Independent’s candidate list has grown to 20 with the addition of Business entrepreneur Sasha Kazantseva-Miller.
‘I was inspired to stand for election after launching the Transition Island project, exploring ideas for sustainable development,’ she said.
‘If elected, I intend to bring my business acumen and love of Guernsey’s environment to bear in the States Assembly.’