Islands "will be working closer together"

Friday 30 November 2018

The upcoming elections in both Alderney and Sark are being welcomed as good news for democracy in the Bailiwick.

Deputy Al Brouard, who is Chairman of the Bailiwick Council which meets regularly to discuss issues of mutual concern, said "it is pleasing" that both Alderney and Sark are holding elections with particular focus on Sark's next month.

Sark goes to the polls on December 12, for the first time since its abandoned election in 2016 when there weren't enough candidates to fill the vacant spaces. Since then Chief Pleas has been made up of unelected Conseillers who have had to make political decisions on things like the island's budget and the recent negotiations over the 'electricity issue'.

Alderney goes to the polls tomorrow with 12 candidates vying for five seats. The plebiscite election, to choose Alderney's representatives on the States of Guernsey take place later in December along with a by-election. 

Pictured: The list of candidates in the 2018 Alderney election. 

Deputy Brouard, who himself is one of the longest serving States members in Guernsey, said:

"It's very pleasing that elections are being held in both Alderney and Sark, particularly in Sark where they have had difficulties in candidates coming forward, it has to be remembered it is a democracy so it's ones choice to stand or not, so all the more pleasing that they will have an election with 15 standing for 9 seats available.

"I think it’s important that candidates in all Bailiwick elections, and I am including Guernsey here too, have a good eye as to the situations and aspirations in one's neighbours, as to greater and lesser degrees we have similar issues, and are intertwined financially and affected by each other politically."

Pictured: The list of candidates in Sark's election in December. 

Deputy Brouard is concerned about the 'electricity issue' as it's been dubbed by Chief Pleas, as everyone is - but he feels Sark is in a better place because of the work of the Bailiwick Council and the Sark Liaison Group in particular, which he also sits on.

"Turning to the electricity issue on Sark, the Sark Liaison Group where we meet politically has I feel been of benefit to Sark as they navigated the best outcomes for their Islanders," he said.

"I think going forward all three Islands will be working closer together even to understand better individual positions on issues and support and help each other. We as a Bailiwick are much stronger together and this must be encouraged," said Deputy Brouard.

Looking to the future and especially the political relationship between Guernsey and Alderney, the deputy said the world has and is changing and our inter-Bailiwick relationships need to change too.

"With Alderney, the review of the 1948 agreement is important to ensure it is fit for purpose, in a changed world from that of our forefathers in 1948. I look forward in due course to meeting and working with the successful candidates in both Alderney and Sark and wish them well in the elections."

Pictured top: Deputy Al Brouard - of the Bailiwick Council.