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Women in Public Life is hosting an event - involving two women in public life answering questions - to explore how Guernsey politics could work better.
Deputies Heidi Soulsby and Andrea Dudley-Owen will be at Monday evening's event, alongside governance specialist, Perrin Carey.
The guest speaker is Jennifer Nadel, an award-winning journalist and co-founder of UK cross-party group ‘Compassion in Politics’.
The organisation works to put compassion, inclusion and co-operation at the heart of politics. Ms Nadel said more problems could be solved if that happened.
"The planet is warming, our population is ageing, and the cost of living is escalating. None of these problems can be resolved when politicians are so divided. I’m looking forward to sharing some of the cross-party work we are doing in the UK to get politics back to the reason most people stand for election – making their community a better place," said Ms Nadel.
Chair of Women in Public Life, Shelaine Green, said there needs to be a conversation about how our political systems and our politicians affect those on the outside.
She agrees that compassion, inclusion and co-operation are vital components.
"Our island’s political system is based on consensus but there’s been less and less evidence of this in the States over recent years.
"Sometimes we wonder whether States members realise the impact of their words and actions on those watching from the outside, especially on anyone who may be considering standing themselves. We run a very active WhatsApp group for women who follow Guernsey politics. Members react strongly to examples of tribal division or the disrespectful behaviour on show at times, commenting that it wouldn’t be allowed in their workplace. They’ve inspired this event."
Pictured (l-r): Jackie Weaver, Patron of Women in Public Life, and Shelaine Green, Chair of Women in Public Life.
"Guernsey faces unprecedented challenges and we all need to be working together to solve them. With just two years to go until the next election, it’s time to start a debate about how our politics could work better," continued Ms Green.
"We’re really looking forward to hearing thoughts and ideas from Jennifer, our panel and the audience. One thing is for sure - it doesn’t have to be this way."
Women in Public Life has organised the event, on Monday evening. As a group it seeks to 'inspire and support the women of Guernsey to stand for public office'.
Both Deputies Dudley-Owen and Soulsby have been in senior roles within the States - Deputy Dudley-Owen is currently President of Education, Sport and Culture, while Deputy Soulsby was President of Health and Social Care during Covid and was then the island's first female deputy Chief Minister.
Ms Nadel's organisation, Compassion in Politics, counts the actor Gillian Anderson and the Bishop of Durham, and more than 50 MPs from all the main parties, among its supporters.
Jackie Weaver, who is patron of Women in Public Life, is a Compassion in Politics ambassador.
There'll be more information available at the event on Monday night at 19:00 at the Princess Royal Centre for the Performing Arts. For more information and tickets head to womeninpubliclife.gg.
Pictured top (l-r): Deputies Heidi Soulsby and Andrea Dudley-Owen.
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