Late goals, own goals and transfer deadline day

Friday 31 January 2020

With the transfer deadline looming, Express wonders what politicians have on their wish lists as the political season nears its conclusion.

Aaron Carpenter has been closely watching the games and looking at the odds.

Education, Sport & Culture

It's been a rough few weeks for ESC, there's no escaping that. They have taken some drubbings, the teachers can't seem to stay on-side, the fans are turning and there's even chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning" in the terraces. Matt Fallaize and his teammates' promotion to the ESC Committee must feel like a long time ago. Now there's even talk of the old side being brought back in to give the job another go. Like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at United, the next few months will define Fallaize's career.

Policy & Resources

In Gavin St Pier's words, the last three years have been dominated by Brexit. With a deal finally being signed today, attentions now turn to domestic matters. How Jonathan Le Tocq would love to reach a deal with nurses that satisfies both parties. There's threat of a walk out, but hopefully it doesn't come to that. There isn't a quick fix solution to most of their issues, and working out ways to improve travel to games, pay for everything people want and cope with an ageing side need to be solved for everyone's sake. 

Pictured: Gavin St Pier has done well in Europe but has been less popular domestically. 

Health & Social Care

For a side that's pulled off some major deals, they've managed to stay out of the spotlight. Their big summer signing - a massive hospital refurb - was a boon for a side that knows their current base is operating close to capacity. HSC got another result earlier this month when its shareholders agreed to put their hands in their wallets to pay for new treatments and medication. President Heidi Soulsby may be an avid Spurs fan, but don't expect any tantrums or blame games like those you'll see from Mourinho in the months to come.

Economic Development

Like many other sides, there was a big reshuffle mid-term. Their headline strategy of Open Skies has increased the number of people coming to watch their games, but Aurigny and Blue Islands don't seem impressed. A PSO with Alderney is long-overdue  and despite a deal falling through last year, it's rumoured that a contract might now be in the works. A loan deal for London Heathrow has not been renewed, as expected, but some new air routes could be in the pipeline and that would improve their standing if it happens. 

Employment & Social Security 

ESS made a breakthrough earlier this term when they finally brought in a new benefits system following years of scouting for a replacement to the old one. Much of their business has been conducted quietly, but an ambitious move for an all-inclusive disability law has fallen through spectacularly and attracted much criticism from the business community along the way. The committee is having to lower its expectations but hopes its new signing will still be able to tackle the opposition. 

Pictured: Barry Brehaut has cut a bemused figure at times this term.

Environment & Infrastructure

President Barry Brehaut has cut a bemused figure in the dug-out at times. Rather than any one big signing, there have been numerous additions throughout the season, some of which people have argued were not needed in the first place. The Toucan Crossing hasn't been given much game time and even Barry doesn't know why his back office wanted to sign that gate at Salerie. There is a method behind all of E&I's projects, which all feed into a long-standing transport strategy, while they now have the task of coming up with a climate change strategy that looks to the future. 

Home Affairs

A Sexual Offences Law that actually tackles the modern game has been badly needed for a while and it appears to have finally arrived this month. We also ought to find out soon if another long-awaited target, a long-term solution to sentencing and increasing prison numbers, has been lined up following an external review. Some say Mary Lowe and co. shouldn't be in charge to oversee these changes, after a damning governance report uncovered bad team morale. Ultimately, a tumultuous season off the pitch could end with a few much-needed results on it.