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The first political group to openly brand itself as a party has formed in Guernsey.
The Alliance Party has registered as a company and will officially apply for party status next month to allow it to enter the June 2020 elections.
Founder and Party Chairman Barry Weir aims to bring together like-minded people to create a "new party for a better Guernsey."
"With island-wide voting in the next election it is now more important than ever that voters know exactly what candidates are standing for," he said. "Just as importantly though, we need a strong party to be able to push through policies by voting collectively on the promises made in the manifesto.
"I feel, and many people I’ve spoken to agree, that the current non-party political system means that things don’t get done. There’s often too many factions on key decisions.
Pictured: The 2018 referendum on how Deputies are voted into office will lead to Guernsey's first-ever island-wide election this year.
"We’re keen to hear from anyone and everyone as to what they feel the people of Guernsey need and deserve going forward. We particularly want to hear from people on the front line like healthcare professionals, teachers, nurses, the police and business people.
"The policy decisions made by the States affects these people and we need their knowledge and experience to help work out the best way forward. We will be creating a committee to help formulate and finalise our policies which we want to be as diverse as possible."
Mr Weir, who plans to stand in this year's election, said the party has devised a "number of key areas for review and reform", which includes:
More information can be found on their website.
Mr Weir, an experienced businessman, said he had decided to set up the party as he was becoming frustrated by what he saw as a "lack of direction" in Guernsey's politics.
"Nothing we are suggesting is revolutionary but the difference is we hope to have enough Deputies to push our policies through," he said of his party's plans.
Pictured: The States' Assembly & Constitution Committee, led by Deputy Neil Inder, is organising the 2020 General Election.
"It means that when people vote for an Alliance Party member they know exactly what is being promised and that it’s much more likely to be achieved.
"I’ve already got a number of people who are keen to stand and we’re hoping to build up a huge amount of momentum. We really believe we can make a big difference."
Two other political groups, the Islanders Association and 2020 Association, already exist in Guernsey.
Although they do not identify as parties and have insisted they will not have a party whip, it is likely that they will be designated as political parties by the committee in charge of planning the 2020 island-wide election.
Pictured top: Barry Weir and the Alliance Party logo.
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