Guernsey's Deputy Chief Minister resigns ahead of no confidence vote

Friday 24 November 2023

Two members of Guernsey’s leading committee have resigned ahead of today’s vote of no confidence in the whole group – including the Chief Minister.

Deputy Mark Helyar, the island’s Deputy Chief Minister, and Deputy Dave Mahoney handed in their letters of resignation from the Policy and Resources Committee to the Bailiff this morning.

A band of seven politicians began the push to oust Chief Minister Peter Ferbrache and the P&R Committeeafter they failed to get backing for a key plan to fund the running of the island – which largely hinged on introducing GST. 

Deputy Ferbrache said at the conclusion of the debate that he would be seeking an early election because the States were at an "impasse". 

But several politicians instead said it would be more appropriate for the entirety of P&R to resign.

When the group refused to do so, Deputy Charles Parkinson brought a motion of no confidence, which will see the whole team thrown out if the island’s politicians vote in favour today.

However, Deputy Helyar and Mahoney’s resignations today mean that they will be leaving the Committee whether or not the chamber backs the motion.  

If the vote is successful, they’ll be immediately removed from the role. If the vote is unsuccessful their resignations will only be effective as of the next States’ debate, which takes place on 12 December. 

Express recently conducted a poll among its readers – 62% of the more than 800 respondents said they would want the Committee to resign.

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