You won’t get my vote again, Deputy St Pier

I FULLY endorse the views expressed by Mr Robert Henry in his eloquent letter published in the Guernsey Press of 25 March [Disappointed with constant sniping from the backbenches]. Deputy St Pier, in his response, thought it unlikely that Mr Henry was among the 57% of the electorate who voted for him in the general election. I was, but never again. Winning a clear democratic mandate from the public is very different from winning votes from fellow deputies for election to States committees. Deputy St Pier was riding high on the incredible work, wisdom and leadership of Dr Nicola Brink, who was the main decision-maker when it came to protecting the public from the coronavirus, and she is a classic and rare example of ‘cometh the hour cometh the man’. The CCA wisely fully supported her. The timing of the new island-wide election is, I believe, the reason why members of the then P&R largely, and not surprisingly, fared well in the election with so much positive sentiment flowing. The manner in which Deputy St Pier openly stated his wish to head the new P&R in the run-up to the election I considered at the time to be misplaced and somewhat arrogant. His subsequent lurch from hero to zero in the space of a few days during States committee elections revealed that those in the States who had worked with him knew more of the man than the ordinary voters did. His attempt at what looked to me to be political bribery by offering to stand for a committee presidency only on condition that his nominees were all also elected to that committee smacked of staggering arrogance and disrespect for protocol and democratic procedure. Island-wide voting has, I think, been a resounding success and in this election I took a lot of interest and spent a lot of time in finding out what I could about the candidates. I met several, which helped shape my votes, and a good many others I emailed for brief views and comments. I was impressed that of those I emailed, all took the trouble to reply, except Deputy St Pier. Not even a note from his team. I still gave him my vote, however, and no doubt as a shrewd and experienced politician, he considered there would be thousands of others like me, and he was right. Many favour a return to open borders, but only if it can be achieved in a safe and secure way. Tourism is suffering hugely and we all hope it can recover very soon with the minimum of industry damage. Fundamental to this is a smoothly operated, efficient airport and it beggars belief that about six years have elapsed since the airport authorities were informed of the vital need to install modern baggage scanning equipment. Yet we are still waiting and departing passengers suffer the delays and indignities of pat-downs and hand-searching of hold luggage. The island has gained a poor national reputation as a result. This during the P&R presidency of Gavin St Pier.