Progress made, but election candidates "still far from balanced"

Monday 07 September 2020

Only a quarter of the island's election candidates are women and Guernsey "is losing out on talent and representation as a result", the Chair of Women in Public Life has said.

A mammoth 119 candidates will vie for 38 seats in the States of Deliberation, following Friday's final day of nominations, which saw a late burst in registrations.

Shelaine Green, Chair of Women in Public Life, said the group welcomed the increase in female candidates, but noted that the percentage of overall candidates has not picked up.

“Only 12 women were nominated for election in 2012 and 19 in 2016 so it’s really pleasing to see the number increase to 28 in 2020, particularly as we are now operating under a completely new electoral system," she said. 

Pictured: Only around 30% of election candidates will be successful in earning one of the 38 places in Guernsey's Government. 

“Of course, with 119 candidates in total, that’s means only 24% are women and 76% are men so the candidate pool is still far from balanced and Guernsey is losing out on talent and representation as a result.  But we are realists and we know removing the barriers that hold women back from standing for Deputy will take time and continued effort. 

Ms Green said it was "striking" that 10 of the 12 current female deputies are re-standing, plus a further four from previous States terms.

"It seems female States members are keen to carry on putting in the hard work on behalf of our Island – that’s reassuring," she said. 

Pictured: Employment & Social Security's Michelle Le Clerc and Emilie McSwiggan have chosen to end their time as Deputies. 

Ms Green paid tribute to two outgoing States members who she said have been fantastic ambassadors during the time in government.

“We are losing two of the Assembly’s best. Deputy Michelle Le Clerc and Deputy Emilie McSwiggan were both dedicated and determined States members who will be deeply missed.”