Partnership to field at least 19 candidates

Tuesday 18 August 2020

Those behind a new political partnership, which has been almost three years in the making due to "frustrations" with some colleagues, say there is a need to put an end to "flip-flop" government and commit to efficient decision-making.

Policy & Resources President Gavin St Pier, Vice-President Lyndon Trott and Health & Social Care Heidi Soulsby have formed the 'Guernsey Partnership of Independents', which they say will be based on shared values rather than shared policies.

The group will reportedly be "more nuanced" than a traditional UK party, with no party whip, and a commitment to making the "complex decisions" that some current States members have been "paralysed by".

Going live in 4 minutes.....https://t.co/atQGNg9VdE

— Heidi Soulsby #ReviveandThrive (@HeidiSoulsby) August 18, 2020

"It is not about ideologies, it is not about left and right, it is about being joined by the same values," said Deputy Soulsby. "We don’t want flip-flop government and how slowly government has made its decisions."

Deputy St Pier said quicker and more efficient government had been evidenced during the corona virus pandemic. He said the partnership will build on those foundations.  

"We are a group of diverse and talented individuals and we are committed to working together."

???? I'm not in the government club ♣ https://t.co/ICAGQmvg0M

— john gollop (@GollopGuern) August 18, 2020

Pictured: The new partnership has caused some political unrest behind the scenes, with Deputy Neil Inder saying in the States this morning that he could name all of the current States members involved. Deputy Gollop, it would seem, is not one of them.

Deputy St Pier and Soulsby's idea for a 'coalition of independents' dates back to at least February 2018. There were similar reports last year, but both both Deputies remained tight-lipped at the time. 

"This goes back two or three years. We were frustrated by the behaviour [in the States] that we were seeing," Deputy Soulsby confirmed to Express. 

One example of that has been the transformation of local education, which has been drawn-out over a number of years and is currently subject to a 'pause and review'.

"What we want is for clear decisions to be made and that [the transformation of local education] is one example where there has been a lot of frustration and where government could work better and be more effective," said Deputy Soulsby.

Deputy St Pier added: "We need to get on with implementing decisions and not viewing them as a tactical defeat that you have to overturn. You may be on the losing side of an argument, but once it’s decided you will row in behind it."

Excellent news! Having worked with Yvonne in the 2012-16 term, I know I don't agree with all her positions but the States need more of her type - intelligent, committed, thoughtful, articulate and considered. In short, someone with whom you can work, even when you don't agree. https://t.co/Uub96OHbIM

— Gavin St Pier #GuernseyTogether #ReviveAndThrive (@gavinstpier) August 6, 2020

Pictured: This tweet from Deputy St Pier, before the political partnership was announced, may be read as an endorsement of a potential 'partner' in light of today's announcement. Ms Burford has now been confirmed as a member of the group. 

Deputy Trott said it is important that election candidates rally behind the States' Revive and Thrive plans. 

"We need to be bold and to invest to see our economy recovers as rapidly as possible. That is a primary focus because it is clearly absolutely essential for everyone in our community.

"What we are absolutely determined to avoid is a lack of decisiveness."

Pictured: There are 19 confirmed members who are currently planning to stand for election. 

"We want to get as many of our candidates across the line as we possibly can," said Deputy St Pier. "We hope there will be some in the community who are interested and will come forward."

Read More:

Initial meeting over new form of government

Committee plans will force focus

Why the secrecy?

Soulsby, St Pier and Trott launch political partnership