Le Brun hails 'consistency and sincerity' for win

Newly elected deputy Ross Le Brun said voters likely backed him at the ballot box due to his "consistency, authenticity and sincerity".

Le Brun won the first island-wide by-election on Wednesday ahead of 10 other candidates for the one vacant seat in the States of Guernsey following the island's lowest turnout for a by-election.

He said that despite his campaign reach being "small" he felt voters backed him for offering the "same messaging all the time".

Le Brun intended to gain a committee seat and "get the chance to do these things that I've been talking about."

He said it was likely that "a number of things" helped secure him a seat in the States of Guernsey in what was his fourth election campaign.

"I think it could be consistency, the same messaging all the time, authenticity, sincerity, It's going to sound really cheesy but the never give up, carry on, try again.

"The whole reason I believe I've been voted in is because my messaging has been consistent.

"I haven't changed on anything I've said and I won't. The things that I've stood for, I believe in and I will work towards."

Le Brun will have the chance to join the Committee for Employment and Social Security (ESS) after Deputy David Dorrity announced his intention to resign on Wednesday.

He said: "It doesn't really matter what committee I get in, I'll ask and even if it wasn't that committee there'd be other committees that I'd be asking to get on.

"I would not go in there just saying oh well I'm a backbencher now, I'm not just going to sit down."

Le Brun's first big debate will come when the States hold a pivotal debate on tax reform, including the potential 5% GST-plus package, which is due to take place in the next few months.

He has previously said he was open to the idea of introducing GST and has again backed the plans "if there is nothing else".

"I'm assured at the moment that GST protects the lower earners," he said.

"People voted a lot of candidates in the general election that promised a fairer tax.

"I'd like to see something come from that otherwise those voters are going to be feeling let down.

"I would like to see something come from that and if there is something better than GST plus that raises revenue for the states and keep schools open and keeps the the hospital going and the weeds on the roadsides cut then obviously I'd vote for that."

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