"As a deputy, you are more in the firing line than ever"

Wednesday 23 September 2020

Being in a position to help constituents is a privilege outgoing deputy Laurie Queripel will never forget, however the role has become more challenging in modern society and he believes now is the time for a "more direct form of democracy to evolve".

Deputy Queripel has served in the Vale since 2008 and feels now is the right time for him to step away from political life - at least for now.

"It's not exactly Arnie, but 'I may be back!'" he quipped to Express.

His final weeks in the role are befitting of his 12-year tenure in the States, with a few more constituency issues to assist with before he leaves office. 

"I'm not sure proud is the right word, but I was happy to be able to assist many islanders via the hundreds of constituency cases I worked on.

"People representation and holding the system to account on behalf of the public is vital work. Among the things I have left to do is resolve the cases that are still live. I have one, maybe two, more sets of questions to submit."

Pictured: Laurie served as a Deputy alongside his brother Lester Queripel. 

A number of matters that affect the day-to-day lives of islanders have been tackled during his time in the States, however others linger on, unresolved, much to his frustration. 

"Finally sorting secondary education must be an early action. Getting it right can only be good for our young people and the island’s future, plus the capital works commissioned will be a stimulus - as long as most of the contracts are awarded locally!

"The implementation of Income Support, although a painful process, was very worthwhile. A good, practical social policy initiative, low income working people - in the main - have benefited.

"The States didn't get it entirely right with the IDP. There are amendments to be made to a number of planning policies. Green areas, especially in already built up parts of the island, require greater protection."

In light of Covid, the States faces a number of new challenges, the biggest of which in Deputy Queripel's mind are rejuvenating the economy and public finances

Pictured: Deputy Queripel helped to secure the next Scrutiny Management Committee greater powers than he and his colleagues have had this term.

"Naturally deputies will want to do things, good things in their view, but genuine prioritisation, and indeed re-prioritisation, will be more important than ever. The November budget will only serve to confirm this.

"To some extent things are happening organically, unemployment figures are going down for example, but there will be economic uncertainty and fragility for a long time to come.

"At one and the same time the States need to find ways to facilitate sustainable economic activity and also learn to live within their means so as not to take any more out of the economy. It must be done of course without detriment to vital public services, a tricky balancing act."

Scrutiny is perhaps the committee he was always destined to serve on, and it has proved to be the committee on which he has had the biggest influence. As a tireless critic of States borrowing and public debt and an an equally indefatigable proponent of transparency and accountability, Deputy Queripel has fought many causes - some won, others lost.

"I'm pleased that parliamentary scrutiny has evolved during my time as a committee member, it is still a work in progress but the SMC were successful in getting the States to agree to additional powers to aid the scrutiny process.

Pictured: Deputy Queripel helped to find the tenants of Fontaine Vinery a new base at Griffith's Yard. 

"A Tribunal of Inquiry should have been progressed in regard to the appointments saga at ESC," said Deputy Queripel of his main disappointment.

"Whatever the rights and wrongs, this matter has been left to fester because the States turned it down, twice. We either want to improve the States' record concerning accountability and transparency or we don't. Talking about such things means nothing."

The Vale deputy is ready now to hand over the baton to someone new. The role is too "stressful" to "highly recommend" to anyone, but it's also a job that has to be done. 

"The job of deputy comes with a lot of responsibility, can be demanding and stressful, that is the nature of public life, but it is a privileged position and an honour to serve.

"Come what may, well done to those who have put themselves forward. I can't say it is a role I would highly recommend because you are more in the firing line than ever in modern society, but I encourage people to stand because it is a job that has to be done.

"I do think though that democracy has to evolve and perhaps a more direct form of it will emerge over time."