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It is with sadness and regret that I formally tender my resignation both as Chairman of Policy & Finance and as a Member of the States of Alderney. I have two reasons for resigning that I want you to know about.
Firstly, my attempts to implement positive change are being hindered by political infighting among the Members.
Secondly, my relationship with the States of Alderney’s President has irreparably broken down over what I consider to be political interference.
I entered the States two years ago in full awareness that there were tough decisions to be made, and at no stage have I ever expected to win a personality contest in helping to reach those decisions. My intention and motive were simply to get things done.
Alderney has so much potential but will never achieve what the Island deserves while a few of its Members are so divided and consistently attempt to belittle others who are trying their hardest.
It has become clear that my ability to implement change is being blocked at every turn. The Island is facing great difficulties going forward which needs the States to focus on external issues and not on political infighting.
I wish the Island well and hope that the States Members are able to address the many significant issues it faces and learn to work together in harmony. I will be happy to help with any issues where I can, but sadly not as a States Member.
I have drawn on my experience in the financial business world to work with the Alderney Treasury and the Guernsey civil service to balance the books despite strong economic headwinds. I have also worked tirelessly to find solutions to the crisis we face with the airport runway and I have been pleased to represent the island as part of top-flight delegations in Guernsey, the Bailiwick and further afield.
After all that work, my position has sadly become untenable. I am immensely disappointed at the lack of support in some quarters for my efforts in tandem with our hard-working Civil Service.
Unfortunately, my relationship with the President has also broken down in recent weeks. When P&F makes a unanimous decision, the President’s role is to facilitate putting that item on the billet where applicable, not to oppose it or gerrymander a situation more to his liking.
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.
Yours sincerely
Nigel Vooght
States Member and Chair of Policy & Finance Committee
