Senatorial hopefuls faced a fast-paced grilling at Jersey’s youth hustings last night, as young islanders got the chance to quiz candidates ahead of Sunday’s election.

The event, held at St James’ Centre, brought together candidates and members of the Youth Assembly – a group for 14 to 19-year-olds aimed at helping young people feel confident and ready to have their say in local politics.

With the event limited to just one hour, things moved quickly. Candidates were given a strict 30 seconds each for their opening pitches before the questions started flying in.

Topics ranged from farming and fishing to the future of young people in Jersey and whether bringing back Senators was the right move.

Once the hustings wrapped up, Express caught up with three young attendees to hear what they made of the event and the candidates…

Ashley: “It had a nicer pace”

Ashley Good said she enjoyed the shorter format and is already planning to attend tonight’s final senatorial hustings at the Radisson Hotel.

“I think this one had a nicer pace than some of the other [hustings],” she said.

“It was quite nice to hear everyone. I don’t want to say they go on, but sometimes they [the candidates] take up too much of their time.”

Asked who stood out, Ashley said: “Quite a few people. I quite liked Alan Le Pavoux, and Sam Mézec as well – he’s very passionate. Oh, and I quite liked the way Bernard Place came across.”

Oliver: “You see how they react under pressure”

Oliver Macready has already attended two other hustings and believes they are one of the best ways to judge candidates.

“I think it’s really good to get a measure of candidates, seeing how they react to pressure and how wide their knowledge is,” he said.

“You get a lot of good questions, so it’s good to see candidates being challenged.”

For Oliver, Sam Mézec and Alan Le Pavoux left the strongest impressions.

“Sam Mézec stood out to me the most. I think he has very bold policies and I liked the way he spoke about Senators,” he said.

“I also really liked Alan Le Pavoux. He has a good perspective, considering he’s not been in government before and he came across really well. I think he’s very interesting.”

Lexie: “It was really eye-opening”

For first-time hustings attendee Lexie Brooks, the evening offered an insight into which politicians are genuinely focused on young people.

“I think it was good to see all of the candidates and what they would do for young people – or what they wouldn’t do,” she said.

“I’ve never been to a hustings before, so I found it really eye-opening. It showed which politicians are in it for us rather than their own interests.”

Lexie said Sam Mézec made the biggest impression on her.

“I think him and members of his party [Reform Jersey] are some of the only candidates who actually care about us young people and why we want to leave the island,” she explained.

“Some of the politicians almost made it feel like it was our fault. With Sam and his whole party, they focus on the inequality and everything else that causes us to be so disenfranchised with politics.”