As the newly elected deputies start to learn how the States works behind the scenes, calls for them to work collaboratively over the next four years continue to be made.
Political movement, Future Guernsey has backed those calls saying it hopes the new Assembly will deliver on an “achievable plan” over the coming term of office.
Formed last year, Future Guernsey aimed to affect change through the 2025 election by producing a manifesto for candidates to back.
Six candidates explicitly did that, as part of political party Forward Guernsey.
Three of Forward Guernsey’s members were elected.
But, Future Guernsey Chief Executive Lindsey Freeman said she hopes their manifesto will continue to help drive conversations and deliver change.
“The choices made by islanders who went to the polls make clear that they’re ready for change,” she said.
“More than half of the new States Assembly will be made up of new faces, and the fresh cohort will better reflect our community than the previous group of Deputies.
“When we created Future Guernsey, we did so with a mission to break the cycle of inertia and deliver change by working with the community to create a manifesto built by islanders, for islanders. We’re incredibly grateful to all those who contributed, some of whom have now been successfully elected to serve as a People’s Deputy.
“Our manifesto is a clear example of how, by collaborating with the community, we can put in place a solid, realistic and achievable plan for the next four years and beyond.
“We’d urge all newly elected States members to consider supporting our policies, and we stand ready to collaborate with all members of the new government, the Civil Service, charities and professional associations to deliver the change islanders so clearly wish to see.”
Calls for the new States to work collaboratively have been coming since well before last week’s election was held.
When the results were declared, retiring Deputy Peter Roffey said he was “optimistic” about what the new Assembly could achieve between 2025 and 2029.
Reflecting on the election results, he told Express that he sees the new States as a “slightly more progressive and liberal States that we’ve seen over the last couple of terms” and he thinks he would have enjoyed working with some of the new members.
Current Deputy Simon Vermuelen is one of those returning to the States for another four years.
He’s also hopeful that they can work better together this time round.
“I think the public have voted for change. There’s a lot of new faces, which I’ve made a point of getting to know before they were successful. We’ve got a really high calibre of States Members, so there’s no excuses this time.”
He added that “we’re going to work collaboratively”.
“We’re all going to work together. We’re all pulling in the same direction for the greater good of Guernsey and support the public.”
Express understands that many conversations have already started among the deputies-elect over who might be P&R President for the next term.
Poll topper Lindsay de Sausmarez herself is unlikely to pursue that role, but hinted that she wants the new Assembly to work together on the big decisions.
“I think the conversations over the next few days will be really, really important in understanding where people’s interests and their strengths lie. So I think that’s what it’s about. It’s finding the best fit for people.”