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A new political association has been set up by some of the key members of the Islanders Association, after they resigned from the original group's committee at the end of October.
The 2020 Association announced its launch today, describing itself as "rising from the ashes" of the Islanders Association.
It is being chaired by Harvey Marshall, the former Chairman of the Islanders, He is being joined by Deputies Peter Ferbrache, Joe Mooney and Jan Kuttelwascher. Deputy Ferbrache and Deputy Mooney were two of three founding members of the Islanders Association earlier this year, alongside Deputy Carl Meerveld - who is yet to comment on the plans announced today.
Pictured: Harvey Marshall, the former Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster.
Deputies Ferbrache and Mooney, alongside Mr Marshall and two others, resigned from the Islanders Association because of "irreconcilable differences of administrative style" with that third founding member, Deputy Meerveld.
That all happened just as the Islanders Association had its first political win, with Option A winning the Island Wide Voting Referendum following weeks of campaigning from the Islanders.
The Chairman of the 2020 Association said: "Many people approached us afterwards, regretting the departure of the majority of the "team" at the Islanders, and asking whether we would be setting up another association. We are pleased to announce that The 2020 Association is the result.
Pictured: the 2020 Association Website.
“Although there are some bright stars, it is our confirmed view that the present States is one of the worst ever. It is only when one examines the quality of many of the members of the States, by listening to their debates, and noting the sheer incompetence of some of the decisions taken, that one realises that if this situation continues the island will simply descend ever more speedily into being an economically stultified backwater - a result of not promptly and efficiently addressing vital issues such as connectivity and economic development, and being hampered by complacency and inadequacy.
“We think that the 2020 Association can enable a difference to be made by forming an association which can effectively bring together and support like-minded people who have been quizzed as to their attributes, acumen and approach - a better calibre of people who can stand for the States. This is the first step towards giving Guernsey an efficient government, which is what it so badly needs."
How will this work?
The 2020 Association is structured around a committee of five, non political members, and a political advisory group, currently with the above three deputies on board.
The five committee members are Mr Marshall, Geoff Dorey, President of the Blue Diamond Group, Jeff Whitaker, a local businessman, Peter Atkinson, a former senior partner at AFR Advocates, and James Cowlings, a software engineer.
Any Policy direction is yet to be outlined by the 2020 Association, however it might be expected that it will be similar to the direction the Islanders Association was beginning to take, considering the senior members.
A manifesto is being developed and agreed however, but will only be released a few months before the 2020 election.
Pictured: Deputy Jan Kuttelwascher. He is the only Deputy involved with the 2020 Association who was not a founding member of the Islanders Association.
During 2019, a selection campaign will be undertaken to recruit potential deputies who will stand under their banner in the June 2020 States Election. The association will invite candidates for the position of Deputy who share their "general vision and aspirations for Guernsey and its government".
Anyone can join the 2020 Association, and so far, they have said there will be no fees or annual charges for members. Donations will be accepted, however, to help "defray the costs".
Mr Marshall added: "The first task will be to get a sufficient number of deputies elected under the Association's banner in 2020. Creating a single core manifesto to which 2020 candidates will subscribe will assist this, because the electorate will not have to read many different manifestos.
“Assuming we succeed, our next task will be to start to reform the management of the States and Civil Service, where we would bring a culture of competence, accountability and transparency to both - to encourage better, more considered decision making. We’d remove the silo mentality, leading to more joined up and efficient government.
“We are against unnecessary regulation, bureaucracy and the interference of Government, which should be enough to provide the fundamental, critical requirements that individuals cannot of themselves provide - and no more. We seek a realistic path towards a prosperity which should have benefits for all."
Pictured top l-r: Deputies Kuttelwascher, Ferbrache and Mooney.
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