Island reflects on States, 100 days on from election

A gently-smiling woman with blonde, shoulder length hair in a white blouse and navy blue blazer, with a green lanyard on. She stands on a pavement with bushes and cars behind her on a sunny day.Image source, Euan Duncan/BBC
Image caption,

Deputy Kazantseva-Miller said she was proud of the connections her committee had established with France this term

  • Published

Politicians and islanders have been reflecting on progress under the new States of Guernsey, 100 days after it was elected.

The island went to the polls on 18 June 2025, voting in 38 people's deputies to the island's parliament.

Returning deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller said the first 100 days had been "very busy" while Deputy Charles Parkinson stressed the incoming deputies were only just getting their "feet under the table".

Voter Callum Tostevin said it was "too early to tell" whether the new States would be successful but he said he felt it was unrealistic to expect "massive sweeping changes" given Guernsey's lack of established political parties.

A young man with medium-length brown hair and a large moustache. He is wearing a green waxed jacked and is standing in a cobbled high street. There are a number of shoppers in the background.Image source, Euan Duncan/BBC
Image caption,

Voter Callum Tostevin said he hoped the incoming deputies would keep listening and "keep their promises"

As a young person, Mr Tostevin said he was concerned inward migration was "driving up" rents.

He said he "hoped" the deputies would "keep their promises" and keep "listening to the concerns of the people".

A smiling young woman with curly hair. She is wearing glasses, a white T-shirt and a denim jacket and she is carrying a baby in a papoose on her chest. She is standing in a cobbled high street, with a smattering of shoppers in the background.Image source, Euan Duncan/BBC
Image caption,

New mother Michelle Saville said she was "optimistic" about the new States' first steps

As a new mother Michelle Saville said she was "optimistic" about the new States' first steps.

She said she wanted to see what was "going to happen" with education.

"I think at the moment the primary schools are really great but for us looking towards [the] future I think secondary schools have a lot more [room for] development."

Kazantseva-Miller, who is president of Economic Development, said her committee had "hit the ground running".

She said it had been "very active in pursuing trade and tourism links with France" as well as publishing the finance sector strategy.

A smiling man with grey hair and a beard stands next to trees and a road on a summer day, wearing a shirt, blazer and tie.Image source, Euan Duncan/BBC
Image caption,

Former teacher and first-time deputy Paul Montague praised his new colleagues as "collegial"

Former teacher and first-time deputy Paul Montague said his first few months had been "incredibly interesting".

Montague, the new president of Education, Sport and Culture, said: "One thing that has stood out is the incredible breadth of support, the collegial nature of it.

"Even people who disagree with you on policy matters will still really give you a lot of support in terms of how things work."

Returning deputy Steve Falla, who sits on the States' top committee Policy and Resources, agreed "this term feels different".

He added: "We've got a really good assembly.

"People are committed to getting on and so far it's working."

An older woman with short, blonde hair in a cream puffer jacket is pictured standing in a cobbled high street, with a smattering of shoppers in the background. Image source, Euan Duncan/BBC
Image caption,

Islander Kay Smyth said she hoped the increase in female deputies would "make a difference with the infighting"

Deputy Alex Snowden, one of Alderney's two representatives in the States of Guernsey, said he was "encouraged" by new chief minister Lindsay de Sausmarez's engagement with his island.

However he predicted "some challenging times ahead", with clarification needed on issues like Alderney's runway.

A middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair and glasses is pictured standing on a cobbled street. He is wearing a blue and white checked shirt with a navy bodywarmer over the shirt. There are shoppers in the background.Image source, Euan Duncan/BBC
Image caption,

Voter Nic Vine said he thought there was a "lot of ability" among this term's deputies

Islander Kay Smyth said she hoped the increase in female deputies and the election of Guernsey's first female chief minister would "make a difference with the infighting".

She added: "I think we have a chance of a more reasonable government that actually talks to one another and maybe the egos will be a little bit less, hopefully."

She said the first few months had been "a bit disruptive" because of "other news", such as the arrest of a high-ranking deputy last month.

Voter Nic Vine said housing and the struggling high street were two of the most important issues to him but he had not "really seen much forward momentum".

However he was "happy with who's got in" and felt there was "a lot of hope and a lot of ability there - so there is huge positivity".

Follow BBC Guernsey on X, external and Facebook, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk, external.

Related topics