Deputies Trott and Roffey would consider going for P&R top job
TWO long-serving States members say they are prepared to stand as the next president of Policy & Resources, if the current committee does not survive a vote of no confidence.
Deputy Lyndon Trott, who was chief minster between 2008 and 2012, said a large number of States members have approached him about standing.
‘I’m grateful that they believe my past experience as chief minister and many years in the States would be useful at this time,’ he said.
‘If there is a vacancy and if, most importantly, I can play a role in bringing the Assembly closer together to address some of these challenges, then I can confirm I’d be willing to do so.’
Peter Roffey, currently president of Employment & Social Security and the States’ Trading Supervisory Board, said that he would consider standing, but only if there was a vacancy to fill.
‘I haven’t given thought beyond that and have not put out any feelers to see if there was support, and would not do that until it becomes clear there is a position to fill,’ he said.
Former Treasury & Resources minister Charles Parkinson, who put forward a motion of no confidence in the Policy & Resources committee and its president Peter Ferbrache this week, has also previously said he would be willing to stand for the top job.
Other candidates might still come forward and Deputy Roffey said he thought there were six or seven current members with the relevant experience.
‘I love the two jobs I have at the moment although obviously the position of P&R president is critically important,’ he said.
‘If someone else who I thought could do the job well came forward I may support them.’
Deputy Trott said he had sympathy with P&R’s current position.
‘Policy and Resources, as I know only too well, has a difficult and thankless task, but it’s clear that this Assembly has not rallied behind P&R over some of its flagship policies,’ he said.
‘That’s unfortunate because the issues around housing, infrastructure investment and the forthcoming Moneyval inspection are not going away. I believe that they have tried their best.’
It remains uncertain if the current P&R committee will still be in office before it presents its budget to the States at the beginning of November.
The committee have until Tuesday night to declare if they intend to stay in their posts.
Two more deputies spoken to by the Guernsey Press yesterday said that they did not believe P&R would survive a vote of no confidence.
