CAB head blows Senatorial race wide open

Friday 29 August 2014

The head of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau is running for Senator – finally injecting some spark into what looked like a pretty dull election race.

Malcolm Ferey is bidding to follow in the footsteps of Francis Le Gresley, who went from running the CAB to serving as a Senator, and ultimately being Social Security Minister – the same job that Mr Ferey (49) says that he wants in the new Assembly.

“I think that this is one of the most important general elections that the Island has ever had,” said Mr Ferey.

“Having the general election on one day will put more new faces in the States because I firmly believe that it’s time for some new thinking. I think that the days of being a low tax, high spend economy needs to be reviewed in the context of how it affects the majority of people.

“My plan is to engage with people and make sure that sectors of our community who feel disenfranchised are more included.”

With eight Senators likely to stand for re-election, and Housing Minister Andrew Green already confirmed as a fresh candidate with one more Deputy expected to bid for “promotion”, Mr Ferey’s candidacy makes the race for the eight seats look a bit more interesting.

In both of the last two Senatorial elections, it has been a candidate from outside of the States who has topped the poll – Senator Ian Le Marquand in 2008 and Senator Philip Bailhache in 2011.

Mr Ferey, who is married to Beverley with two daughters, worked in finance and at the Social Security department before taking on the CAB role almost four years ago. He says that his key priorities would be developing a robust immigration policy and ensuring that the Island gets the best possible value out of the huge £297 million investment in a new hospital.