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Three Deputies have announced their intention of working together, but say they are not forming a political party.
Following hot on the footsteps of the formation of Charter 2018, Deputies Carl Meerveld, Joe Mooney and Peter Ferbrache have said they will be working together as a Political Association.
All three signed up to Charter 2018 last month, which pledged to bring together "like minded deputies" to work under a set of shared values.
Since that group was formed, which Express was told is definitely not a political party, news of a meeting between two senior politicians and 40 members of the public was confirmed. That discussion, led by Deputies Gavin St Pier and Heidi Soulsby has also been described as not being a political party - but it is aimed at forming a new way of governing Guernsey.
The latest group which has formed has been in the planning for a few months and Deputies Ferbrache, Meerveld and Mooney have said it is not linked to Charter 2018.
Deputy Meerveld said: "We have been discussing this for a number of months and, while it is in no way connected with the Charter introduced by like-minded Deputies last week, it builds on that principle and broadens it to include community participation in developing and supporting policy objectives to achieve the change that Guernsey needs."
Deputy Ferbrache added: “We believe that our new governing structure is failing to prioritise and effectively action the key issues facing the Bailiwick.
“Our key objective will be to fundamentally improve the way in which the States of Guernsey functions, with our initial objective being to campaign for the adoption of island- wide voting at the public referendum scheduled to be held on October 10th this year”.
The trio have said the Association aims to "field a number of candidates at the next general election scheduled for June 2020. Candidates supporting a common manifesto detailing the policy objectives agreed by the Association’s membership" but they are insisting it is not a political party.
Deputy Mooney said: “We want people to feel inspired and get involved.
“We want to make Government more accessible, more responsive to the needs and wishes of our community. Members will jointly develop the Association’s constitution and policy priorities and, before each election, our common manifesto”.
The trio's statement explains that the Association aims to "encourage communication with its members and the community face to face, through newsletters and the use of technology to discuss issues coming up in the States’ thereby enabling the public to express their views directly to its elected representatives. It intends to provide and maintain a forum for islanders to stay informed of impending political debates, providing multiple channels for islanders to participate and influence debates and to have their voices heard."
It is believed the newly-formed Association will be given a formal name, but the introductory statement said it will not be a political party and it will not have a 'cabinet' structure designed for executive management and there will be no ‘party whip’.
The introduction continued: "Members who are, or become, Deputies, will be free to vote as they wish. However, the Association will bring together people willing to cooperate and work together to achieve the best outcomes for our islands in a single coordinated approach which will be more effective and easier to execute."
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