New member will be hard to corral
DEPUTY John Gollop’s decision to join the Islanders Association undoubtedly broadens the fledgling political group’s electoral appeal.
The St Peter Port North deputy has consistently performed well in general elections, topping the poll once again in 2016.
Even though, like his fellow founder Islander members, Deputy Gollop is a middle-aged male, his addition gives the group relevance to a younger and more socially aware audience than the combined talents of Peter Ferbrache, Joe Mooney, Barry Paint and Carl Meerveld might find possible.
His ever-presence at everything from music gigs to charity rallies along with his intellect and engaging ‘what you see is what you get’ personality gives him a uniquely broad appeal.
If it is easy to see what the Islanders Association get out of Deputy Gollop, it is less easy to see what he gets out of them.
He certainly does not need their electoral support. Regardless of whether the island embraces island-wide voting or not, Deputy Gollop is under no threat at the polling booth, even with the albatross of the Development & Planning Authority around his neck.
Indeed, once the association sets out its policies and Deputy Gollop becomes more overtly linked to the other political members, he might find his polling numbers take a hit as voters object either to parts of the manifesto or to some of his fellow candidates.
Deputy Gollop believes the association represents ‘a real opportunity to significantly improve the focus of and effectiveness of the States’. He wants it to increase co-operation between deputies and the public.
Where that might fall down, however, is in the policies and personalities. He is a centrist who has often found himself in the middle of arguments.
At such times he becomes a pragmatist who is fearless about changing his mind when it makes sense to him. For example, despite it being a secret ballot, he happily admitted changing his mind over who he voted for as president of Policy & Resources. He has also sat on both sides of the education selection debate.
Corralling such an independent-minded politician into any sort of party view is not going to be easy.
This could be a short-lived romance.