Alliance Party wait until the last day
GUERNSEY’S Election 2020 is out of the starting blocks with three political parties and numerous independents vying for 38 seats.
The Alliance Party Guernsey waited until the last day of nominations to register its 11 candidates because of concerns to stay within the letter and spirit of the electoral law, and not jump the gun.
It is the largest party which describes itself as a true party, and spokesperson Tony Cunningham explained that they were all independent minds with a common view on key issues.
‘For many people I think that education is a critical issue. I think for myself and members of the party we are also very concerned about the proper management of the economy, in particular the proper management of spending because we strongly believe that a significant part of a current tax base is already taxed enough,’ he said.
He also looked forward to a good-natured campaign. ‘There are obviously some tensions around the journey so that could set the tone.
‘But as far as we’re concerned we’re not going to be out knocking A or knocking B or knocking C. Our focus is on who we are as individuals and what we stand for, and that’s what we want people to make a judgement on.’
There was an anticipatory atmosphere outside the Royal Court offices among the election team yesterday, with several people arriving early to register their names on the ballot paper.
Sitting deputy Marc Leadbeater registered as an independent, and was not sounding too worried about the impact of political parties.
‘No one’s invited me to any parties. I’ve got my 50th party coming up next Saturday and that’s the only one I’m interested in.’
He hoped that it would not become a single or two-issue election, ignoring matters such as cannabis legislation and mental health provision.
Former deputy Jenny Tasker signed up on Tuesday, but was at the Royal Court yesterday to pick up her ‘walk plans’, or the copy of the electoral roll, in anticipation of criss-crossing the island and knocking on doors.
She was very happy to declare herself as an independent, adding.
‘As far as I can see all those people who are involved with parties have among them totally different views about what needs to be done and how they would wish to do it.
‘So the parties to me don’t mean a great deal.’
n There will be more coverage of the latest nominations in Monday’s paper.
