14 businessmen sign an open letter calling for people to vote
A GROUP of Guernsey businessmen is calling for islanders sign up for the electoral roll and vote for candidates who support executive government because, in their opinion, the island cannot afford another term of stagnation.
The 14 have written an open letter to ‘the great Guernsey public’ saying that the island needs a system of government that can make pragmatic and difficult decisions in a timely fashion which, said group spokesman and garage owner Dave Beausire, has not been the case for a long time.
He said the letter’s origins came out of conversations he had had with some of those involved, and a realisation that a lot of island residents had been talking about not voting.
‘People have been saying “what’s the point of voting? Nothing’s going to change”,’ he said.
‘But government hasn’t worked for about three terms now.’
Some of the group met to discuss their concerns while others have engaged via email, but all have come to the same conclusion – they want people to register to vote and back candidates who support executive government.
‘38 members each with their own opinion has not got us very far,’ said Mr Beausire.
‘Some form of executive government is needed to get things happening.’
There had been one potentially important change that had ended up being rejected by the States.
‘The biggest disappointment in my personal view was that deputies rejected by only one vote the proposition to reduce the Chamber by 10,’ he said.
‘That would have been the start of it getting more efficient and accountable.’
Accountability of government and civil servants was something else the letter’s signatories were keen to see.
It was also important to make an effort to keep young people in the island and that would need more affordable housing.
He singled out the proposed redevelopment of the old Castel hospital site into affordable apartments as being something that needed to move ahead soon.
And if young people stayed, they could also seek election.
‘We need to encourage younger people to stand,’ he said.
Mr Beausire, constable in St Martin's, said he did not intend to stand himself, and was not aware of any of the other letter signatories looking to seek election.
The letter, he said, was aimed at getting a discussion going among the voting public and sitting States members. ‘If deputies think it’s a good idea they should stand up and say it’s a good idea,’ he said.
‘At the moment everyone is limping into an election and not saying anything. We thought that someone had to say something, so we’ve said it.’
n A drop-in is being held at the Guille-Alles Library this afternoon, where people can make sure they are on the electoral roll as well as find out more about volunteering to help out during June’s election. The deadline for signing up is 30 April.
