The Senatorial race is on…

Tuesday 09 August 2016

Eleven candidates are going to fight it out for the one vacant Senatorial seat up for grabs next month.

That’s almost as many people as stood for Senator in the General Election back in 2014, when eight seats were available.

On Wednesday 7^th September you’ll have to choose the one you think will do the best job from a list that includes a 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.

Traditionally, in addition to door-to-door canvasing, leafleting and making appeals through the media, candidates stage 12-14 hustings. There’s usually one in each parish. The meetings are a chance for candidates to tell voters why they are standing, and for parishioners to quiz them

It hasn’t always been the case. It’s more of a practice that has steadily built up over the years. And, whilst many support it, others think that with so many candidates nothing positive is really achieved.

It’s up to the candidates whether the hustings are held, and if so, how many, and where. It’s rumoured the number may be drastically cut this time round as candidates become more reliant on social media.

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.

The term of office will last until spring 2018.