Blog: Le Pelley's Last Stand

If Guernsey was to go all Time Magazine an have a Person of the Year for 2016, undoubtedly it would be Deputy Paul Le Pelley. From quietly spoken, mild-mannered parish politician and representative of St Sampsons, to President of Education, Sport & Culture and arguably the most divisive figure in Guernsey politics. That's quite a seismic shift in the last 12 months. But whether it was by design, desire or coincidence Deputy Le Pelley has been thrust into the middle of Guernsey's most polarising issue and he now stands on the precipice.

Today his political career stands on a knife edge. If the motion of no confidence in the committee succeeds, arguably his political career will be over. For the next three years he will be forced to live out his political life on the back benches, just a year since he was thrust into the firing line by mssrs Trott & Ferbrache.

Next to him stands one of Guernsey's newest and most controversial political figures, Deputy Carl Meerveld. A man who could talk his way out of most situations and with a selection of hats which would have the Queen jealous. A supporter of non-selective education and the Vice-President of this beleaguered committee. His moves following this motion of no confidence will certainly be worth watching. Whilst the impact of his continued tenure at Education will likely define the future of those working within Grange Road House.

Now it will be even more intriguing to watch if the motion succeeds in its aims to knock back the committee. But I don't think that will happen. I think today the motion will fail. In fact I will go as far as predicting what the vote will look like. I believe it will be 19 against and 16 backing it, with a fair few abstentions (one coming from the man who once said he may be President Deputy Peter Ferbrache, a key player in this particular political intrigue).

Now the discussion around the motion, since it was placed by Deputy Emilie Yerby, has been an interesting one. What's intrigued me more than anything is how the narrative of this argument has been dominated by those backing the current committee, despite Deputy Marc Leadbeater's resignation.

The narrative that there are 'political games' masterminded by Deputies Matt Fallaize and Peter Roffey and that this motion is fuelled by hope of a power grab, has been brilliant to behold. The committee, whilst seemingly under-fire from all angles, have managed to galvanise a strong following outside and inside the assembly and it seems their argument will win the day. Despite a strong case from Deputy Yerby detailed in the original letter, the reasons for bringing the motion in the first place have been drowned out by calls for the seven signatories themselves to consider their position and claims that their claims are false and ill-timed.

Regardless, today is going to be a debate which defines this Class of 2016 on an issue which is undoubtedly the most important they will face in their four years in office. Mud will be slung, it will get personal and someone is going to leave the Royal Court with their political reputation bruised.

And in the end we will have the group to lead Guernsey's education system into the future.