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Alderney's most senior politician has resigned just half way through his post - sparking a new year by-election in the island.
Nigel Vooght has walked away from both his position as Chairman of Alderney's Policy and Finance Committee and as a States Member after just two years, citing difficulties working with the island's President, and political infighting among his colleagues.
The decision was leaked to Express on Saturday with an embargoed press release issued yesterday for publication today, after Alderney's Homecoming Day had been observed.
However, the news was being openly discussed in Alderney despite the commemoration and celebration of the events of 15 December 1945, and the five years preceding it.
On the date when Alderney marks the return home of its evacuated residents after the end of hostilities across Europe, Mr Vooght has shone a light on problems within the States in his resignation letter.
Mr Vooght has said that he has resigned with "regret" and "sadness" after his "attempts to implement positive change (have been) hindered by political infighting among the Members".
He further said, "my relationship with the States of Alderney's President has irreparably broken down over what I consider to be political interference".
Acknowledging that "tough decisions" need to be made, and in doing so he never expected to "win a personality contest", Mr Vooght has said his attempts to implement change is being "blocked at every turn" with a States that is "so divided" made up of members who "consistently attempt to belittle others who are trying their hardest".
Referencing William Tate directly, Mr Vooght has accused the President of opposing items intended to be placed on the States Billet or 'gerrymandering' a situation "more to his liking".
In response to Mr Vooght's resignation, Mr Tate has simply said: "On Saturday the 14th of December, I was informed by Nigel Vooght of his intention to resign from the States of Alderney with immediate effect."
Express has asked for further comment from the President.
Pictured: William Tate (right) was recently re-elected as President of the States of Alderney.
In his resignation letter, Mr Vooght did reserve some praise for the States of Alderney's Chief Executive, Theo Leijser, who he said is also facing challenges working for the betterment of the island.
"There has been little evidence of support for either me or the Chief Executive who is devoted to bringing much-needed reform to our system of government, as was evidenced in the running of a successful campaign to promote our recent democratic elections, and his attempts to bring forward reforms that have been on the cards for years but have been systematically ignored," wrote Mr Vooght.
Acknowledging Mr Vooght's resignation, Mr Leijser said Mr Vooght’s clarity of thought and tenacity will be greatly missed.
“Real progress has been made over the past year in reaching important decisions and taking steps to repair the political relationship with Guernsey,” he said. “Mr Vooght has worked tirelessly to seek solutions to our Airport runway crisis and has proudly represented the island in top-flight delegations in Guernsey, the Bailiwick and further afield.”
Mr Vooght's resignation as a States Member has prompted a by-election in Alderney.
Express understands this will be held early in the New Year.
Pictured top: Nigel Vooght (photo supplied by the States of Alderney).
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