Roller Coaster of Emotions - Husting meeting and finale

It was St Peter Port South’s turn for their Husting meeting last evening and at a guess there were around 190+ constituents of STPPS and a mixed bag of candidates from other parishes. I can safely say that it was the most nerve racking experience I have ever had and I've had some nerve racking experiences I can tell you. If I had been a cocktail waiter then I would have broken the record for the most cocktials shaken in two hours. I lost all feeling in my legs and hands and my memory was wiped clean of all information. My tongue increased in size and I am sure I had an out of body expeirience.

The format for the eveing was questions from the floor and a more inforamal format for the last hour. I must say that the questions from the floor were excellent, they were not questions I had planned for during my many hours of research but thats the nature of the Husting. That aside, I feel that I addressed them well and only died twice (it could have been more then that) the audience were receptive and one can assume that one left the Husting with a clear indication who they would be voting for and who they will not.

We are in the final run in and in eight days time the whole experience will be over, the voters would have elected a new States of Deliberation which will lead the House and the Bailiwick for the next four years. It is the final accumulation of weeks of research, interviews, sleepless nights, sore feet, sore throat, letter box fingers, less hair and a new faith in human kind, it’s a leg which I will find exciting with all the emotions of the past weeks rolled into one and if I were asked to describe the feelings one goes through during the build up and finale I would term it like an emotional roller coaster ride of a massive magnitude.

Whatever the outcome will be for me, I must say that even though last evening was nerve shattering I have enjoyed every single minute of being involved in what is a life changing experience. The people I have met whilst canvassing (still not finished but should be by polling day) have been absolutely wonderful. I have been down roads and seen houses which I thought never existed in Gsy. I am now an authority on both letter boxes and how one puts a flyer threw a letter box without bending it and my sprint techniques improved during the duration of canvassing when confronted by 'mans best friend'....no not the remote control for the 42" plasma!!!

If I were to give one piece of advice for any member of the community who is passionate about local politics and Gsy, has strong convictions, family and freinds backing and is dissatisfied with government then make the leap of faith and stand in the next election or serve on your parish committee.

Do not think that you are not capable because that’s tosh and if anyone tries to put you off because they say you are not of the ‘right stuff’ then they are wrong whether you are elected or not you will sit back and say it was worth it.

Equally, it is the democratic right of any member of one’s community to represent their constituency and community as a whole and stand in their local elections regardless of social background. We have a diverse economy, community and government and must reflect this and that is the beauty of our islands currant political system.


Well, I hope the above gives a breif over veiw from a delegate's point of view making that leap of faith and some of the trials and tribulations experienced during the run up.



I must end by pointing out that the above is just a brief overview of MY experiences and opinions and not that of any of the other delegates and should NOT be viewed or construed as electioneering.

So glad you enjoyed it..wait until you get in the house and have to make a speech,I wish you well...

Cheers Kat. It was more of a witty, insight into my feelings on the honour of being involved in one of the most important Bailiwick elections in 30 yrs. Pete

It was the turn of the north last night.And it was very well attended
Some new faces upon the stage but it was very good
John Gollop was a star and Rhoderick upset a few ..nothing like the truth!