Post Election Review

Three Different Perspectives on going for Chief Minister

The Declared Contenders

It appears that Simon Bree, when his team suggested he should try for Chief Minister, thought it only fair that the electorate should know as well. Ian Gorst declared beforehand that he would be standing for Chief Minister, as did Lyndon Farnham. They stood with the electorate knowing their intentions, and it could be suggested, as Frank Walker did, that in the case of Simon Bree, this cost him votes.

The Unknown Contender

John le Fondré only seems to have made his mind up after being elected as a Senator. He made the announcement only after seeing his result, and the JEP survey in January 2018 was only for existing Ministers. This means the electorate didn’t really know what his intentions were at the time of the election.

The Vacillating Contender

Kristina More provides a third perspective. In June 2017, she said was “amused” by claims that she had a “plan” to become the Island's first female Chief Minister. She said: 'As yet I haven't made a decision about the next election, and I would hope that Senator Gorst will continue in office.'”

The same was true in January 2018, where she kept her options reserved: she said that she was not in a position to comment on her ambitions yet and would make an announcement early next month.

But in May 14 2018, shortly before the election, she said she would be ‘happy to remain’ in her current position, giving the electorate the impression she would not be standing. Yet after in election, proving that even 4 days is a long time in politics, she declared that she was a supporter of Senator Gorst but would not rule out challenging him for the Chief Minister’s job. This has certainly given the electorate mixed views as to how decisive she is, and how easily she can change her mind between polling day, and the day after.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

On election night, what would you do if you were standing and got elected or re-elected as Deputy? Possibly celebrate the night away at your campaign HQ with friends and supporters, and wait for the Senatorial election results, while drinking something alcoholic.

Or... you could go out on the dark streets, and put up on your election posters a message of thanks for the electorate to see as they went to work or took children to school the following day. This is what both Jeremy Macon and Jess Perchard did – Jeremy with stickers, Jess with felt-tip – but to the same effect. Isn’t it nice to see politicians who show gratitude like that to their electorate? It was a very thoughtful thing to do, and I’m here commending them for doing so.

Jersey and the Bannermen

I rather like seeing the election posters and banners going up before an election. It gives a degree of excitement to what might otherwise be a rather bland election. But they haven’t all come down – there’s a stray Truscott or two, quite a few Reform ones, several Simon Brees, a Moz Scott or two.

The older campaigners – I was tempted to say “old warhorses”! – are very good at this, and all the existing States members have removed all of theirs, apart from one I spotted – a stray Le Fondré more than half covered by foliage – it’s easy to see why that one was missed. It is disappointing to lose an election, and I can understand people being despondent, but it is a duty to do, so please take down than poster!

As I understand it, after a period of time, the Department of Infrastructure will send people round to take them down – and charge the candidates for their time.

Election Expenses Scandal

At the moment, election expenses can be seen at the States Greffe – during office hours, which does not include lunchtime, and indeed is virtually impossible for anyone working. This is a appalling! I remember when the Register of Interests was likewise difficult to access – now that is rightly online, and so should election expenses be.

It is supposed to be in the public domain, but the restrictions make that almost impossible for most of us to access, so can some kind soul go there and take down ALL the names and totals, and post it somewhere so we can all see – rather than the selected snippets by the media. Or send it to me, and I‘ll do that.

At the present, we can't easily access something supposed to be in the public domain - Election Expenses - and that is a scandal. Can a States member bring a proposition to change this please? A small change,  but one that would be good for transparent democracy.