Young people question whether island is affordable

Emily, 16, was not sure whether she had a future in Guernsey because of the high cost of housing

With Guernsey being one of the few places around the world where people aged 16 can vote in elections, the BBC spoke to a group of young people about the issues that matter to them.

Education and housing topped the list of issues at a discussion about the island's upcoming election with a Girlguiding group, which draws students from a range of island schools.

Emily, a 16-year-old Ranger who has signed up to vote, said education and housing were her top priorities.

"It's incredibly expensive to buy a house, I don't see myself staying on island as I don't think I'll be able to afford it," she said.

"It makes me feel sad, as I've grown up here and it's safe and nice, but at the same time if it isn't affordable, I can't really do anything about it."

Bella said more needed to be done to make education equal across the island

Fourteen-year-old Bella cannot vote, but she said she would be looking out for manifestos prioritising sorting the island's education system.

"Education is a top issue for me, as I think there are programmes to make the secondary schools more equal, but more needs to be done," she said.

In 2021, the States backed proposals from Education, Sport & Culture (ESC) for three 11-16 schools and a separate sixth form centre at Les Ozouets alongside The Guernsey Institute.

A year later, ESC announced La Mare De Carteret High School would be used as a temporary base for sixth form students from September 2025.

'Respectful campaigning'

There also a consensus at the Rangers group that candidates should be positive in their campaigning.

"I'd really like to see candidates who are passionate about their ideals, I want to see positive and respectful campaigning," said Bella.

"If you're not going to respect people who are going to be your future colleagues, I don't want you in a position of power."

Emily added: "I want to see politicians who follow through with what they say, and who are actually going to stick with their ideas and gain the trust of the public."

Guernsey lowered the minimum age for voting in elections to 16 in 2007.

The proposal from former Culture and Leisure Minister Mike O'Hara was passed by 30 votes to 15.

In this general election, 1,186 people aged 15-19 have signed up to vote.