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A three-hour event raising awareness on the role of deputies ahead of the next general election drew out some interested people.
A series of deputies gathered outside the David Ferguson Hall at Beau Sejour on Tuesday evening to talk to anyone considering running for public office in 2025.
It was part of an awareness campaign being rolled out by the States Assembly & Constitution Committee over a year before islanders head to the polls again.
At some points deputies and public officials outnumbered members of the public in the foyer.
But those who did attend stayed for significant amounts of time, with one woman going table to table for around two hours.
One of the several politicians in attendance throughout the evening was Deputy Sue Aldwell, who said the time commitment was on the mind of people she spoke to.
“I've spoken to a few people now and they've been really interested. They want to know what is it like time wise, and especially the mums want to know what it's like time wise. As I've told them, it all depends how much committee work you have,” she said.
“I have two large committees. I have 16 sub-committees. I have a large mandate, but there will be others that have less than that. So, you manage your time. But you also have to think of other things. We have lots of inductions when you first come in, you have to make time for those, and every time someone brings a policy letter.
“Normally that committee will also have a meeting. You have to attend because you must understand what work they have produced before they bring it to the assembly."
Pictured: Deputies talking to the public.
She’s became a first-time deputy in 2020, and said looking back she may not have committed herself to so much committee work.
“I think the main thing for me again is because I came on two major committees, which probably silly, really, And so it's my workload. Probably when we have a busy week, I can have 1,000 papers a week and that can be on 10 governing boards.
“We have Home Affairs is on a Monday, so most of my Sunday is spent reading my papers for the Monday. You have to understand them when people come into the committee to be able to challenge them, you have to understand what's in front of you. Then on the Thursday, I have Education, Sport & Culture."
But she said she has still recommended the role to anyone expressing interest in it.
“I have actually, because there isn't another job like it. It's the access that I have in Home Affairs and I work within every area of Home Affairs... the more that you learn, the more you want to learn.
“So, I think if someone comes in with a passion for something they want to do, come in and have a have a go."
Deputies will again gather at St James cafe on 20 April between 10:00 and 13:00 to speak to the public.
Hopes for awareness campaign to produce more effective government
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