Comment: Ross Le Brun - Engage in politics and break the status quo

Thursday 06 September 2018

With a potential overhaul of the island's election system on the horizon, a former electoral candidate, Ross Le Brun, is urging you to register to vote. He spoke to Express ahead of next month's referendum on island wide voting about why, in his mind, it is important:

First things first, if you have never registered to vote, you need to do this now or you will not be able to have a say in the October 10 referendum on Island Wide Voting.

It’s easy! Fill in this online form now https://registration.gov.gg/ER/.  You can even call this number - 01481 717353 - to ask for a postal vote so you can vote for one of the referendum options at home, and avoid having to go to the polling station.

I stood in the last election and narrowly lost out after standing last minute not wanting to regret not trying out ideas I have to help small businesses, the economy and other aspects of life here.

I learnt from the campaign process a huge flaw in how voters choose candidates. I organised my own hustings. I invited voters to meet me at Richmond kiosk every day, participated in the Castel hustings and watched the West and South East hustings. I never at any point, even on social media, or news outlets heard anyone ask any candidate what capabilities they had. What had they done before politics? In such an important role why are people content to give such a position on the flimsy strength of someone’s aspirations and promises?

If it were a private sector job, the employer would want to see a CV to gauge capability. I’m not saying any certain person should be excluded through lack of a 'glorious CV', but why is no one asking this basic question? Don’t voters want or need to know what a candidate is capable of? Have they managed anything? Staff? Projects? Finances? Budgets? Have they had a business and failed, turning to politics for a four year contract?

If you look at the ex-careers of our current deputies, we have very few from blue collar backgrounds. Some of our best loved, most capable deputies came from blue collar backgrounds. We need more problem solvers.

We have a problem that needs fixing - even current top politicians admit that. Maybe career, well trained, versed politicians who could sell ice to inuits are part of that problem, or maybe THE problem. Fresh blood, new thinking is what we need, and this is down to the voter - for them to scrutinise much harder. Ask what they did prior to politics. Ask what their achievements of the last term have been.

Don’t be content to listen to fairy tale wish lists on what they would like to do. What have they done? I think a change, or rather introduction of voter scrutiny will help get a more capable set of deputies. I think we have a new set of voters who have yet to register who could help bring that change.

If you have ever complained about any aspect of Guernsey life make sure you are registered ASAP to have a say in the referendum. Become engaged in politics. Disengagement is what is keeping the status quo which is why you won’t see a campaign from our states to encourage new voters.

Unfortunately you will have to reregister come 2020 in the next election but by then you will be engaged, aware, and able to help change Guernsey for the better.