Guernsey independents dissolving as parliamentary group

Members of the group said a "good number" of its candidates were elected, which meant an "objective was met"

The Guernsey Partnership of Independents is dissolving as a parliamentary group, it has said.

Members of the group, which registered as a political party for the 2020 general election, said they "never were a true political party".

They added that one main aim was to support new candidates and they were proud to have got 10 out 21 candidates elected in the first island-wide poll.

They also said a "willingness to work together" and shared values remained.

'Objective met'

The partnership was registered in August 2020 as a political party ahead of the October 2020 poll.

However, Deputy Gavin St Pier said they "aren't and never were a true political party".

He said: "We formed as a group of independent individuals, brought together by shared principles and values rather than policies, ahead of the first general election organised using island-wide voting."

He added that "the clue was always in our name - Independents" and "since the election, we have never met as a group to discuss or agree any policy positions".

Deputy Jon Le Tocq said the key role was "to support new candidates who might have struggled to gain profile".

He said: "A good number were elected and our candidates secured 24% of all votes cast, so there is evidence that this objective was met.

"The things we share, along with others, expressed in our shared values and a willingness to work together constructively for the common good, still remain whether the Guernsey Partnership of Independents exists or not."

Deputy Tina Bury, who was elected in 2020, added: "I am proud of what we achieved, including the fact that five out of 10 of our successful candidates were women."

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