P&R survival chances boosted after meeting

Critics of P&R believed they had the support necessary to unseat the senior committee when the no confidence debate was adjourned three weeks ago. But the numbers in the States Assembly seem to have since moved in P&R’s favour.

Christopher Le Tissier said yesterday that he was likely to back P&R, having previously spoken in favour of the motion of no confidence. And Deputy Peter Ferbrache’s committee was further buoyed when a deputy understood to be supportive of the motion of no confidence, Steve Falla, confirmed that family commitments would keep him out of the meeting.

‘I spoke against P&R originally because at that time I didn’t have confidence in P&R. Since then, I have thought again, spoken to Peter Ferbrache, had correspondence with him, and we’ve also had this meeting,’ said Deputy Le Tissier, immediately after P&R hosted the 90-minute session with deputies at Beau Sejour.

• Listen to a preview of this week's meeting with Simon De La Rue and Matt Fallaize

‘Peter has addressed points I put to him. GST is not coming back, he agrees with no unfunded borrowing, he suggested Education could be funded from reserves, which is something I agree with, and he said he’ll get behind the wind farm project.

‘Some people are telling me not to believe it all, but I’m a straightforward guy, and I trust what my colleagues say. I’m now more likely to support P&R.

‘I like Peter. It’s only 18 months and it would take six months for a new committee to get their feet under the table. Before you know it, the election will be upon us, and we’ll have a new P&R anyway.’

Most deputies believe the vote remains on a knife edge. Both sides in the debate have lists of declared and likely supporters who they think could take them to a majority.

At this stage there is no indication of P&R losing any votes it expected to secure three weeks ago.

But in addition to Deputy Le Tissier’s likely change of mind and Deputy Falla’s absence, some supporters of the motion of no confidence were concerned that illness could prevent one of their colleagues from attending tomorrow’s meeting, and Deputy Lester Queripel, whose vote is considered key if the motion is to secure a majority, admitted he was minded to abstain.

‘In my speech, I called for evidence, and has been provided by other speakers so far wasn’t really evidence,’ said Deputy Queripel.

‘It wasn’t satisfactory or conclusive.

‘If I had to vote today, I’d have to abstain because I’ve not heard conclusive evidence from either side.’