Voters surprised at committee rejection of poll-topper St Pier

All of those spoken to by the Guernsey Press in Town said they were taken aback at his failure to get any position, but not all of them were disappointed at the Assembly’s choices.

‘It just doesn’t feel very democratic,’ said Chris Oakley, who had voted for Deputy St Pier but not Peter Ferbrache, who took over as president of Policy & Resources.

‘The States doesn’t feel very unified at the moment.’

Chris Cave said she thought it was time that the secret ballot elections by members were done away with, ‘considering it’s supposed to be a transformative States’.

‘I know historically they have been done secretly but maybe it’s time they were open. So much for listening to the people. We voted Deputy St Pier top of the poll and the States decided he isn’t wanted on any committee.’

She had voted for both past and present P&R presidents, and said she had no doubt that Deputy Ferbrache was a man of integrity and intelligence, but would have liked Deputy St Pier to have had some role.

‘I’m just a bit disappointed at the way they have sidelined him.’

Sean and Elysia Gillespie also thought that, as poll-topper, Deputy St Pier should have won one of the three posts he went for.

‘I’m surprised that someone who topped the poll by as much as he did didn’t get any position,’ said Mr Gillespie.

Neither of the couple had voted for Deputy St Pier since they thought he would do well anyway and would not need their votes, but both had selected Deputy Ferbrache.

‘The loss of experience of someone who has been at the forefront is not a good thing. I’m interested to see what happens next,’ said Mrs Gillespie.

Mr Gillespie thought the voting showed that the States was ready for change.

‘It’s been the status quo for a good few years,’ he said.

Another voter who did not vote for Deputy St Pier because he was sure he would get elected was Martin Henry.

‘I used my vote elsewhere,’ he said.

He did not vote for Deputy Ferbrache, either.

‘Half of my votes were for new candidates.’

Although surprised to hear that the poll-topper had not been given any committee role, he said he was not disappointed.

‘I found it rather strange. I can’t say I’m worried, though.’

He said the situation reminded him of that after the Second World War, when the British public had voted the Prime Minister who had led them through it, Winston Churchill, out of office.

‘Then they realised they made a mistake and voted him back in.’

Kat Phillips thought Deputy St Pier’s experience should have seen him find some role rather than being left as a ‘back-bencher’.

She had voted for Deputy Ferbrache, too.

‘He supports our health care system and our nurses and I am quite sure he will take the island in the direction we need to go.’

Peter Roffey Page 12