Election poll topper to stand for top job

Election poll topper Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez says she will stand for the Policy and Resources (P&R) presidency.

If successful, she will become the first woman to lead the States' most senior committee with the seat being contested by three other people. The other candidates are Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, Deputy Mark Helyar and Deputy Charles Parkinson.

P&R is responsible for public finances and co-ordinating policy across the States.

She said: "I was really surprised by the variety of people who were coming forward to ask me to consider it and they included people who wouldn't historically have been considered to be politically aligned."

She topped the polls with 10,721 votes making her the only candidate who was picked by more than half of the island's voters.

On 1 July, the president of P&R will be chosen, after members are sworn in as deputies at the same meeting.

The next day the four other members of P&R will be elected, with anyone able to stand from the floor of the States.

Former Chief Minister, Deputy Gavin St Pier, who was re-elected, said he would not run against De Sausmarez in the bid for the top role.

St Pier said: "Lindsay as poll topper has demonstrated she has a popular mandate for whatever role she feels best able to serve.

"Consequently, I've made clear to her that if she decides to run to be P&R president, I will not be a candidate.

"I would happily serve on P&R whomever is elected as president should they wish to nominate me."

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