"My life could change overnight"

Thursday 08 October 2020

The first island-wide election has been a surreal and rewarding experience, but has not been without its challenges, according to some of the 81 new candidates.

With the vote count still ongoing at Beau Sejour, some of the prospective politicians have shared their highs and lows of the campaign ahead of the declaration, which is still expected some time after midnight.

First-time candidate Tina Bury, said the evening felt surreal.

"I just keep thinking that there's two pathways; one is exactly as I know life, and one is completely different," she said. "I don't know which one I'll be on tomorrow morning."

She felt that campaigning under the island-wide system was hard going: "I do like being busy, but that was probably pushing me to my limits." With only 10 hours of door-knocking under her belt, Ms Bury had hoped to do a lot more, but found the events and hustings were a good place to speak to the electorate.

Pictured: Tina Bury, first-time candidate and member of the Guernsey Partnership of Independents.

"The events were great because you can stay in one place, everyone can come to you, and you can see a good amount of people in the time that you have."

As one of the new faces to the election, Ms Bury found the help of her colleagues in the Partnership of Independents invaluable. "It's been really great having a group of people to go through it with, and a wealth of experience and knowledge where you can pick brains and ask questions," she said.

"But don't get me wrong, it's clearly put some people off. I think in particular, the Partnership of Independents being 'not a party but a party' has taken a while for people to wrap their heads around, and I don't think everyone necessarily has yet. The idea needs more time to mature."

With the results a way off, Ms Bury hoped to relax until the declaration was made: "I think I'll go home and get out of my work clothes and take a bit of time out. If the result is at about 1 o'clock I'll probably come back, but it depends how late it is - tomorrow's going to be a big day as well!"

Ross Le Brun, who previously stood in Castel in 2016, said he was more relaxed this time, but will be disappointed if he fails to gain a seat. 

"I am not as nervous this time around because I have gone through it before."

It comes following a busy and largely successful campaign trail which has seen him engage with the electorate through numerous independent hustings and a daily meet and greet at the Saumarez Park Cafe. He's even managed to turn some 'definite no's' into 'definite yes's'.

"If nothing else, I've managed to change people's perceptions of me," he said. 

Pictured: Ross Le Brun, left, pictured with his father at Beau Sejour. 

Standing in the gallery with his father, who would be "over the moon" if his son gets elected, Ross said he was keen to use his real-world business experience to change things from within the States.

One of his views is that the current benefits system incentivises people not to work, while Ross, who heads up Labour Force Guernsey, has spent much of his career helping to match unemployed tradesmen with suitable jobs. 

"I would like to be on Economic Development and/or Employment & Social Security. I would like to be vice-president of one of those committees, but that's probably running before I can walk."

Ross will be heading back in time for the vote, along with his father.