P&R says election likely on 23 Nov

Saturday 29 October 2022

Deputy Heidi Soulsby looks set to remain as Vice President of the Policy & Resources Committee for most of November.

It was announced on Tuesday that Deputy Soulsby was resigning from the States' senior committee. A replacement member will be elected by the States' Assembly. But the Committee does not expect that to happen at next week's States' meeting at which members will debate the 2023 Budget.

The Committee yesterday told Express: "It is currently expected that the election of a new member of the Policy & Resources Committee will take place at the next ordinary meeting of the States of Deliberation, which begins on 23 November."

Deputy Soulsby retains full voting and attendance rights as a member of the Committee until her successor is elected. 

Pictured: The Policy & Resources Committee's treasury lead, Deputy Mark Helyar, will present the States with the draft 2023 Budget when they meet on Tuesday, but the Committee does not expect a replacement for departing Vice President Deputy Heidi Soulsby to be elected at that meeting.

When the Committee announced her intention to resign, Deputy Soulsby said: "It has been obvious for quite a while that my views and advice have not been valued by some on the Committee and I think there is little point in me continuing in the hope that things may get better."

It is understood that the Committee's flagship policy for a goods and services tax [GST] was one among many reasons for the deterioration in relations between Deputy Soulsby and some other members of the Committee. 

However, the likely timetable for Deputy Soulsby's replacement would see her remain as a member of the Committee until just days before its deadline to publish far-reaching proposals for a landmark States' debate on tax and spending which has already been delayed twice.

And Deputy Soulsby's replacement would have almost no time to influence the Committee's proposals.

Pictured: Express published a look at the potential runners and riders for the soon-to-be-vacant seat on the Policy & Resources Committee, which can be read HERE.

Several deputies spoken to by Express on the day Deputy Soulsby's resignation was announced said that her departure would weaken the Committee.  

"The Committee has lost not only the significant and broad political experience that she brings but a crucial element of diversity of thought which is vital for good decision-making," said Deputy Yvonne Burford. 

Deputy Gavin St. Pier described Deputy Soulsby's resignation as "an enormous loss". Deputy John Gollop, the Father of the House, called it "a bad day for Guernsey".

But Deputy Carl Meerveld said her resignation may prove cathartic.

"Every committee member is entitled to question and challenge, but when that descends into entrenched division the committee may be strengthened by changes in membership. I believe this may prove to be the case with Policy & Resources," he said.

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