States hopefuls urged to find 'sensible solutions'

Henry Smith said he was prioritising candidates who would be willing to work collaboratively

Guernsey voters have called for candidates to work together to find consensus in the next States.

Thousands of islanders are expected to cast their votes when the island goes to the polls on Wednesday.

At the BBC's final election roadshow in St Peter Port earlier, candidates said they wanted a "united front" to tackle the issues such as housing.

Henry Smith, who visited the roadshow, said: "I want less diatribe, more discussion."

Mr Smith said: "I want to see candidates who don't think they know it all.

"I want to see people that will engage with civil servants and the information they're provided with, I want people who will engage with problems and find reasoned and sensible solutions to them."

Ed Gregson cited housing, immigration and long-term care as top issues

Teacher Ed Gregson agreed and said politicians "needed to turn the debating chamber into just that, a debating chamber".

He said the island had a number of big issues it needed to tackle, including "housing, immigration and funding long-term care".

"This incoming assembly is going to have to make some really tough decisions and they need to have a united front around a consensus," he said.

"We need people willing to judge the arguments on their merits and reach a reflective conclusion for the good of the island and community at large."

Guernsey Welfare Service manager Sue Le Friec said she wanted candidates to communicate with those who were struggling financially

Guernsey Welfare Service manager Sue Le Friec said deputies "needed to have an awareness of people who are struggling".

"New deputies need to not live in a little bubble and take time out to engage with people who are in tough positions," she said.

In recent weeks the food bank has struggled for donations but Ms Le Friec said there was a surge in support following a call for help.

Ms Le Friec said people who used the service had shown apathy towards the election.

"They don't believe the States works for them," she said.

Barrie Duerden, from Cheshire Homes, agreed more needed to be done to encourage consensus.

"We need States members to work collaboratively together, the people we want to see are people who will work together to get stuff done," he said.

'You can feel trapped'

Visitors to the roadshow also urged candidates to find solutions to the island's housing crisis.

Chloe Presland, 26, said: "I'm still living at home, because I cannot afford to move out and there's no prospect of that unless I considered moving away.

"For so many people my age the only option is moving away, it's really frustrating, I love living here and while it's important to go away you shouldn't feel forced.

"Unless you want to be living at home when you're 30, or working high up in finance, you can feel a bit trapped."

Sonia Taylor criticised the lack of action from the States to facilitate development at Leale's Yard

Sonia Taylor, manager of The Market Buildings, agreed housing should be prioritised by the next States.

"We have a lack of housing which is blocked by planning, why haven't we continued with Leale's Yard," she said.

"It's just madness as far as I am concerned. We need to free up housing."

Earlier this year Policy and Resources pulled out of a deal to provide public money for the Leale's Yard housing project, which according to the developers could deliver more than 300 new homes.