Not the time to be going to the polls

It is this need, allied to the impossibility of being able to campaign fairly and safely, which is why the drastic measure of postponing June’s general election must be backed by this Assembly.

At this stage we have a limited idea how Covid-19 is spreading in the community with test results delayed to three or four days generally and it will be something like three weeks before an on-island facility is established.

The virtual border low-down should help buy more time and keep a lid on the peak in cases, but there is no certainty over when we will get the green light to return to normal life.

What we do know is that having scores of candidates travelling the island knocking on doors or large numbers of volunteers locked together in polling stations or at the count, contrasts sharply with all the current advice being offered on social distancing.

There is already a unprecedented burden being placed on the civil service. Organising an election is not something that needs to be added to the list.

That is not to say this administration, with all the baggage that it has, should be in office any longer than is absolutely necessary – delay too long and they run the risk of losing legitimacy in the public’s eye.

There will be a much clearer picture on whether the measures being taken to help temper the coronavirus spread are being effective over the next month.

That, allied to evidence from what has happened in other communities, will give the answer about whether an October election can happen.

It is certainly preferable to waiting until next June, and with major sporting events such as the London Marathon gearing up for taking place in the Autumn, there must be some hope that it will be feasible for that to happen.

This is not the time for political games and unnecessary distractions, but islanders need to have their days at the polls as soon as it is safe to do so.