Cost-of-living concerns dominate first roadshow

BBC Guernsey is hosting four election roadshows to hear the views of islanders

Controlling the cost of living and building more homes were highlighted as the key issues for people at BBC Guernsey's first election roadshow.

Voters at Pembroke Bay said unless these issues were tackled, they saw a "bleak" future for the island.

Grow Ltd manager Mandy Mackleworth said she knew "several people who are struggling and living hand to mouth".

Vale resident Martyn Dorey was one of those who said he was worried about the cost of living: "Everything is going up, faster than the pension."

Martyn Dorey said he would be looking for candidates who were opposed to GST

For Mr Dorey, on his morning walk as he visited the BBC roadshow, GST and the cost of living are the two election issues he will be focussing on when he selects who to vote for.

"There are people that I know who are struggling, to add in GST with that even with the changes to allowances will be tough," he said, before adding he had been "disappointed" by the manifestos he had seen so far.

The States of Guernsey agreed to a plan to introduce a 5% GST from 2027 alongside reductions to income tax rates for low earners and reforms to social security contributions.

Members of the current States dubbed the current lack of housing a "crisis" and voters this morning echoed their concerns.

Peter Watson, chair of the Guernsey Development Agency, said he wanted to see deputies "be serious" about investing in infrastructure and housing: "We need to stop our youngsters leaving."

His concerns were echoed by Mrs Mackleworth: "We don't have enough housing, having worked in the health sector for 14 years a lot of people who are band three or four support worker level, can't afford to live here.

"I know several people, including Grow staff, who are struggling and living hand to mouth. We need to support people to live on island."

Mandy Mackleworth raised concerns that without action on housing the island's young people would leave

Vale resident Mike Watt said he wanted to see a focus on safety on the island's roads.

"There needs to be a root and branch review of speed limits. I live on the Ville Baudu next to a road where the speed limit is 35 miles per hour, and that's a dangerous speed.

"It doesn't feel like it's being enforced, it makes it feel more dangerous with no pavement on the road, you feel like you're taking your live in your hands when you walk along it, especially with a dog.

Concerns about whether enough was being done to keep people safe on the roads were raised at the first BBC election roadshow

Mike's neighbour John Marquis agreed there needed to be more done to protect vulnerable road users.

"There are people who take no heed of public safety and to be honest the island's small, why speed, there's no need you're normally only two minutes away from where you need to be."

Guernsey Police's annual report from 2023 showed there were 113 charges relating to speeding offences.

Barry Bridel felt the current electoral system was not working for the island

One dogwalker who visited the roadshow said she did not feel represented by the system of island-wide voting, while another said she would be looking for candidates who were actively looking to change the electoral system.

Voter Barry Bridel said he did not feel he had representation under the current system.

In 2018 Guernsey's voting system was changed after a referendum. In 2020 the first island-wide election happened with more than 31,000 signing up to the electoral roll and record turnout.

BBC Guernsey's next election roadshow is on 28 May outside Vistas at Vazon Bay.