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ELECTION SPECIAL: Who's standing down?

ELECTION SPECIAL: Who's standing down?

Friday 14 August 2020

ELECTION SPECIAL: Who's standing down?

Friday 14 August 2020


A number of Deputies have told Express they will stand down from politics, while others are still unsure whether or not they will seek re-election in October.

The electoral roll for voters will remain open until 21 August, while the nomination period for candidates will open on Tuesday 1 September and close on Friday 4.

Yesterday, we featured the 21 current States Members who have announced their intention to stand again under the new island-wide voting system.

However, others have decided that now is the time for them to leave politics for a variety of reasons. 

"I will be stepping down at the end of this term," said Deputy Emilie McSwiggan, who has been a part of multiple States committees. "I said from the outset that I would do one term in Guernsey politics at this time – I think it’s healthy to have safeguards against holding on to power for too long, and that was one of mine.

Deputies Laurie and Lester Queripel

Pictured: The Queripel brothers, Laurie and Lester, are both expected to step aside from politics. 

"But it’s been an absolute privilege, and I’m really glad to have had the chance to serve my island like this. I hope I will always be politically active and engaged, but maybe in a different way for the next few years."

Employment & Social Security President Michelle Le Clerc also said that now is the right time for her to take a breather. 

"I am not standing for the next election. I may consider again in the future, but I'm taking a break from politics to pursue other opportunities and spend time with family."

ESS colleague John Gollop, who is one of the longest-serving States members, said he is likely to stand.

However, the decision has been less straightforward for him this year than it has been in previous elections.

"I feel like I need three John Gollop's at the moment," he told me. "One to relax, one to be a Deputy, and one to campaign [for re-election]."

Policy & Resources Committee Member Al Brouard is also yet to make a decision. "I am still considering as I have a few issues I need to consider and resolve."

Scrutiny President Chris Green wants to focus on his family life and legal career in the coming years. 

"I am unlikely to seek re-election in October this year. However, I would be very keen to seek election again, possibly in 2025 or 2029 or after that," he said. 

"For the next few years, I want to concentrate on family life and on my professional career in the law. Being in the States is very full-on and eight years of continuous public service has been a very big commitment for me, as it would be for anybody."

3 Jon Gollops

Pictured: Deputy John Gollop said he feels like he needs three versions of himself to deal with everything going on in his life and politics. 

Scrutiny colleague Laurie Queripel said it's time for him to return to "the real world". 

"I am very unlikely to stand at the next election, but I might try again at some time in the future," he said. "Good I think to take a break and get back to the real world, that's where the effect of political decisions is felt. Being a deputy can be a hard and stressful job but it is also an honour, one must guard against getting too familiar or insulated."

Fellow Vale Deputy and Education, Sport & Culture President Matt Fallaize said his original thinking was to seek re-election. 

"A few months ago I felt sure I would be a candidate," he told me. "At present I am undecided. I will give it more thought in August and in particular talk to my family about it."

Deputies Al Brouard and Jon Gollop

Pictured: Deputies Al Brouard and John Gollop have issues to work through before they make a final decision. 

Environment & Infrastructure President Barry Brehaut has found himself in the opposite position.

Having spoken publicly about not standing again earlier in the year, he said he is now "undecided" due to some recent developments. 

Home Affairs Committee Member Paul Le Pelley is another considering a u-turn. 

"I wasn’t going to stand and I am still probably not going to, but I will make my declaration on 31 August," he said. "A number of people have asked me to stand and I am considering my options with my family."

Economic Development Committee Member Joe Mooney said he was still undecided. 

Paul Le Pelley and Joe Mooney

Pictured: Deputies Paul Le Pelley and Joe Mooney are hoping to make a final decision by the end of the month. 

For Castel Deputies Barry Paint and Richard Graham, this month's States meeting will bring down the curtain on their time in local politics. 

"I will not stand again for re-election," said ESC Vice-President Deputy Graham. "Now well into my 80th year, it is time I put my family first. In any case, I am past my peak. When I am 90, it is possible that I will have changed my mind, but I doubt I will stage a comeback!"

On announcing the end of his tenure, Deputy Paint aimed a broadside at the States and the behaviour of some of his colleagues. 

"I have absolutely no intention to stand at the next election. I was not intending to stand for this term but many of the general public asked me to stand so I did.

Barry Paint Chris Green Richard Graham

Pictured: Castel Deputies Barry Paint, Chris Green and Richard Graham are all likely to stand down. 

"Certainly in the three terms, I've served things have not improved. In my first term, 2008 to 2012 thing were not too bad considering the crash of 2008 in financial markets. Since then all has not improved at all in my opinion, only got worst.

"Why? I believe it has been a generation problem, for many years the younger generation have had just about anything they wanted because we have lived in very prosperous times within the Bailiwick. Therefore the newer politicians have been able to have personal political agendas or ideologies and not be too worried where the money to pay for it will come from.

"Because of the corona virus we are not in the good financial position we were six month ago, but many of the deputies want to continue to spend taxpayers money as if nothing has changed. In my opinion, we will be years before the costs of this virus will be paid back, and everyone is going to be much poorer.

"I am in my early seventies and because of events in my family life I have to spend much more time with them."

Pictured top: Deputies Matt Fallaize, Barry Brehaut, Michelle Le Clerc and Emilie McSwiggan. 

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