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Last night voters got their first chance to quiz the 11 candidates standing for the post of senator.
Around 100 people attended the hustings at St Saviour’s Parish Hall.
The meeting followed a slightly modified traditional format. Candidates started by giving a speech outlining their polices – although this was cut back from the usual five minutes – to just three – to make the meeting more punchy, and give it more urgency.
It was then followed by questions from the floor. Again, to add pace, and to give as many people as possible the chance to quiz the candidates, the time the candidates had to reply was reduced as they were given just two minutes to outline their case.
The 11 candidates standing for the vacant job include one current States member Deputy Sam Mezec; four former politicians: Guy de Faye, Sarah Ferguson, Nick Le Cornu, and John Young; and six newcomers: Alvin Aaron, Mike Dun, Christian May, Stevie Ocean, Mary O'Keeffe-Burgher, and Hugh Raymond.
The post has fallen vacant because of the shock resignation of Senator Zoe Cameron. She quit in frustration saying it was impossible to get anything done, claiming she’d been cold-shouldered by the Council of Ministers.
Questions included: What the candidates thought the Island would look like in 20 years’ time; Do you agree with the policies of the Council of Ministers? And, what are the three major issues facing the island?
If there were a prize for the most bizarre answer of the evening it would probably have gone to Stevie Ocean. When the future politicians were asked how they might turn the Island’s economy around, he announced one of his pet projects: to turn Jersey Royals into crisps in the shape of the Island.
Tonight – Tuesday’s – husting is at St Clement at 19:30.
The full list of the other hustings are listed below.
| Day | Date | Time | Venue |
| Monday | 15 Aug | 7.30 p.m. | Parish Hall: St. Saviour |
| Tuesday | 16 Aug | 7.30 p.m. | Parish Hall: St. Clement |
| Wednesday | 17 Aug | 7.30 p.m. | Parish Hall: St. Mary |
| Thursday | 18 Aug | 7.30 p.m. | Parish Hall: St. Lawrence |
| Saturday | 20 Aug | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | St. Paul’s Centre (‘Meet the candidates’ drop in event) |
| Monday | 22 Aug | 7.30 p.m. | Public Hall St. Martin |
| Tuesday | 23 Aug | 7.30 p.m. | St Brelade Communicare Centre |
| Wednesday | 24 Aug | 7.30 p.m. | Parish Hall: Grouville |
| Thursday | 25 Aug | 7.30 p.m. | Parish Hall: St. John |
| Tuesday | 30 Aug | 7.30 p.m. | Parish Hall: St. Ouen |
| Wednesday | 31 Aug | 7.30 p.m. | St. Peter Community Centre |
| Thursday | 1 Sept | 7.30 p.m. | Parish Hall: Trinity |
| Monday | 5 Sept | 7.30 p.m. | Wesley Grove Methodist Centre: St. Helier |
Election day is Wednesday, September 7th and the term of office will last until spring 2018.
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