He buzzed into Tuesday night’s hustings at First Tower (the first of 14 meetings over the next eight days) to hear from the 11 candidates vying for the four seats in St Helier No 3 and became instantly confused when the first people he encountered were Montfort Tadier, Nick Le Cornu, Senator-elect Alan Breckon and Mike Higgins, all candidates from the Senatorial elections. Had the last few months been a dream? Was Fly going to have to cover the Senatorials all over again?
No, of course not. Apart from Deputy Breckon, who was there to support Suzette Hase, the other three are standing for Deputy in various districts, though Higgins was the only chap up for St Helier No 3. Altogether, ten of the failed Senatorial candidates are having another go at joining the States Assembly, much to Fly’s delight.
So, back to the action. It was refreshing at First Tower to realise that this will be the most candidates on stage for any Deputies’ hustings and Fly prepared for a short, sharp shock of incisive politics. He was soon disappointed.
With many candidates bouncing on the same old touchstones again and again (Bellozanne, community, buses . . .) Fly’s attention began to wander and he noticed that not all candidates had chosen to recognise Remembrance Day. Suzette Hase, Gil Blackwood and even chairman Chris Lakeman had forgotten to pin on their poppies (though Hase had a lovely red rosette) and they were all outdone by Colin Russell, who had both a snazzy badge and a home-made felt poppy.
The first two candidates were forced to cope with some very bizarre microphone trouble as the system threw up a number of ‘pings’ which sounded uncannily like a submarine. Fly is steadfastly avoiding any puns about candidates’ campaigns already being sunk and just hopes that technical problems will be ironed out for the other meetings.
There were a few other teething problems for candidates – Steve Beddoe forgot to introduce himself and was reprimanded by a bark from the audience. One excited old lady murmured ‘yes, yes, yes’ to every statement with which she agreed, completely distracting Fly from catching 40 winks between speeches.
Mike Higgins became tongue-tied and created the attractive sounding States job of ‘Silver Servant’. Deputy Guy de Faye described the Waterfront project as ‘exciting’ and ‘tremendous’ without cracking a smile and David Beuzeval boldly tipped Deputy Ian Gorst for future Chief Minister, which prompted someone at the back to call out: ‘Thanks for the warning.’
Fly is also issuing his own warning for anyone planning to attend the remaining hustings: To get a straight answer, ask a straight question. Don’t leave them any room to wriggle out of it.
