ONLY two former MLAs were returned to the Assembly, as six seats changed hands in a hotly contested General Election.
The turnouts in both constituencies were higher than the 2021 election yet both counts were completed quickly, the Camp vote was announced around 8.30pm, with the result for Stanley coming about an hour and a half later.
Jack Ford and Roger Spink were the only two MLAs from the previous assembly to retain their seats, as six new colleagues join them.
Jack, commenting on his re-election for Camp, said he was “incredibly grateful to everyone that voted for me.” He added that his top priorities for the next four years would be fiscal responsibility and an early review of the immigration system.
Dot Gould, one of the newly elected Camp representatives said she was “delighted” to be elected, adding that “looking after the Campers” as well as those in Stanley would be her main priority, “it’s difficult times ahead of us with finance, but also exciting times ahead with the oil.”
Michael Goss felt his “feet weren’t entirely on the ground yet” following the announcement, saying his core driving principles involved “reaching out and getting a feel for how the community was feeling.”
Lewis Clifton, elected for the Stanley constituency took home the biggest vote share of the night. He thanked, “all those very kind and generous people who supported me” adding, “ I don’t underestimate the challenges that lie ahead. For sure, we’ve got to get back on to running a better ship in a much more structured financial way, and that is key to the future of the Falklands. So that’s my boat, and that’s what I will paddle for the next four years.”
Dean Dent, also newly elected, stated that his main priority over the next four years would be housing, “everyone feels the pinch of that” going on to add, “strict management, government oversight and scrutiny of capital projects” would also feature highly.
Returning to the Assembly Roger Spink said he was “humbled” by his re-election, “it was clear that the majority of people wanted a change, I think we’d let people down in certain areas, particularly on the economy.” Citing difficulties with government finances he added, “we need to take time to think of a plan for the way forwards.”
Stacy Bragger was reelected after narrowly missing out on a seat in 2021. He commented “I’m really thankful that people put their trust in me again. It’s not just about tonight it’s about putting in four years of hard work.”
Delivering major projects and addressing financial pressures were the two main areas Stacy said he was keen to address.
Elected for the first time Cheryl Roberts said she was “elated” explaining, “I think I put out there that I want to make sure that private sector the public sector and the Assembly all work closer together and to try and get more efficiency in government; I think that is basically what people wanted to hear.”
She added “I will work hard for everybody and I’m not scared of making decisions.”
The new assembly will be sworn in at Government House on Friday before beginning an induction programme.
