Some senior politicians in Guernsey oppose election call

Politicians are divided over how to progress

The politician in charge of the committee which organises general elections in Guernsey says he will not support plans for an early poll.

President of the States Assembly and Constitution Committee (SACC) Carl Meerveld said plans for an early election were a "ridiculous suggestion".

The call came after plans for GST and tax reform were scrapped on Friday.

Currently the next general election is scheduled for June 2025.

According to Mr Meerveld the earliest a general election could be held would be October 2024.

'No practical advantages'

Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) called for an early general election after its plans for GST and tax reform were scrapped by States members.

Mr Meerveld said: "An early election couldn't be held for at least a year and would incur extra costs and cause disruption, shortening this term by only a few months."

He said he only saw disadvantages to an early election and "no practical advantages".

Committee for Economic Development President Neil Inder said he would not support plans for an early general election.

He said: "We have a settled position on fiscal policy and we need to get on and do the job as directed by the assembly."

He said the plans were "disruptive" and sent "the wrong message to the business community".

'Refresh probably needed'

Guernsey's current longest-serving politician Deputy John Gollop said he would support plans for an early election.

Calls for P&R to stand down after Friday's GST vote have grown over the weekend with Deputy Marc Leadbeater and Deputy Chris Le Tissier expressing their support.

Deputy Peter Roffey said he would "probably" support a vote of no confidence in P&R if one was lodged.

Mr Roffey supported P&R's plans for a GST and tax reform but did not support its proposals to borrow millions of pounds for big building projects like the new post-16 campus at Les Ozouets.

He said: "If they really feel that they have lost the dressing room then a refresh is probably needed.

"I hate votes of no confidence as they always seem like unpleasant blood-letting and we have seen enough ugliness in the States over recent months.

"Personally I would prefer to see a dignified stepping down, with those P&R members who wish to continue offering themselves for re-election.

"That way they would continue knowing they had the confidence of the assembly, while also allowing the States to bring in fresh blood if they felt it was needed."

Chief Minister Peter Ferbrache said he still thought there was value in putting the tax package to a vote even if it did not succeed.

"The States have rejected it, that's democracy - but we're going to have to live with the consequences of that," he said.

"We're in for 18 months of difficult government... but we've got to get on with it."

Analysis from John Fernandez, Political Reporter

When plans for GST, tax reform and borrowing were defeated P&R's position was difficult.

After its call for an early general election, that position can be upgraded to precarious.

The deputies I spoke to who say they were blindsided by these calls were visibly furious.

The risk for P&R now is that these calls for an early poll have weakened its power base so much that a vote of no confidence could be successful.

P&R's options are now to stand down and, if they are so minded, stand for re-election to the committee or to face a vote of no confidence which, in all likelihood, could succeed.

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