States 'won't achieve anything' before election

Deputy Rob Prow was narrowly beaten to the post of Policy and Resources President by Deputy Lyndon Trott

A senior States of Guernsey member has said he did not see this government achieving anything "significant" before the next election.

Home Affairs President Rob Prow said he believed divisions in the current assembly would prevent progress on matters like improving public finances.

The next general election is scheduled for June 2025.

A spokesman for Policy and Resources (P&R) said it was "committed to continuing the essential work of addressing the unsustainability of public finances".

This Policy and Resources Committee was elected in December 2023

In December, a successful motion of no confidence led to the previous P&R Committee resigning and Deputies Trott, Heidi Soulsby and John Gollop being elected to the island's top committee.

Deputies Jonathan le Tocq and Bob Murray were re-appointed to the committee.

Since then Mr Prow said he had struggled to be optimistic about the chances of this States achieving anything.

He blamed the make up of the current assembly for the predicted lack of action: "The assembly hasn't changed, it's still very divided. The voting on Chief Minister demonstrated that.

"There is a group of eight politicians who have come together and said 'no' to new taxes and believe everything can be paid for by savings."

Deputies rejected a plan for tax reform, including a Goods and Services Tax (GST) in October 2023.

P&R is set to bring back plans for new motoring taxes and around £10m worth of savings before the end of this term.

In a statement, the committee said it was "fully committed" to working to address these issues with public finances.

"That includes work on reducing the cost of public services as well as revenue-raising measures," it said.

"The Committee fully recognises the importance of progressing that work to find solutions that are right for Guernsey, even if some of the ultimate decisions are for the next assembly."

Mr Prow said he could not see this States voting for any tax increases: "I can't see how the assembly is currently constitituted that it can come up with any fiscal policy.

"I do hope that doesn't inhibit us moving the education project forward."

The Performing Arts Centre at Les Ozouets will stay alongside the planned new post-16 campus

He has reccomended the States used its reserves to make progress on Education, Sport and Culture's (ESC) plans to build a new post-16 campus at Les Ozouets.

"I don't think this is as frightening as it seems, as the money would be taken out gradually," he said.

Mr Trott said his committee was working alongside ESC to progress plans.

Joanna Jezewsa-Oudhof believes divisions within the States will hold them back this term

Joanna Jezewsa-Oudhof agreed with Mr Prow that a lack of unity in the States was one of the drivers behind the lack of action from this government.

“We need to see progress with a growth development plan as there is a lot of uncertainty in the world at the moment, especially when it comes to tax policy - it’d be good to get clarity on that," she said.

“In terms of whether that’s achievable I don’t think so as there’s a lot of in-fighting at present, it doesn’t feel like people are working towards a common goal.”

James Milburn wants to see certainty for the island's fiscal policy

Cyclist James Milburn said he would like the States to come up with a coherent tax strategy before the end of this term.

“Lets get spending under control and a final decision on a sales tax,” he said.