With less than three weeks to go before Guernsey’s by-elections, candidates are starting to commit to their plans and policies.
By 10:30 this morning, just seven candidates’ manifestos were listed on the official by-election website.
There are 11 candidates in total but without a manifesto booklet being printed for the by-election they have not been given a deadline by which to submit their paperwork.
That means the additional four manifestos could be uploaded to the by-election website at anytime up until the polls open on 29 April.
Express will keep an eye out…
Of the 11 candidates, the manifestos published on byelection2026.gg so far belong to Nikki Symons, Carl Meeveld, Ross Le Brun, Andrew Taylor, Julie-anne Headington, Jonathan Wilson, and Tamara Menteshivili.
Four of them stood in the 2025 general election and their manifestos appear to have been tweaked to reflect changes in their political ambitions and the States’ priorities since then, but with a recognition from some that they didn’t make the cut last June, but hope to persuade you this time.
Those priorities do appear to remain the same across the board however – housing, the economy, tax… nothing unexpected to anyone with an interest in island life.
2025 revisited
Nikki Symons was a first time candidate in the 2025 island wide election – and she acknowledges that if elected this month, her entry into politics is different to what it could have been last year.
“The successful candidate will sit on the backbench, and so it is important to be honest about what can be achieved this political term.”
She says she won’t make “unrealistic promises” and will instead focus on where she can make “a real and immediate contribution”.
Former Deputy Carl Meerveld came pretty close to re-election in 2025 and is hopeful that his continued stance against GST and his belief in the financial benefits of harvesting wind energy will win him enough support this time round to re-enter the Chamber.
He describes plans for an offshore wind farm as “Guernsey’s most significant opportunity in generations”.
This is something he says he has worked on for some time.
“Since writing the Offshore Wind Scoping Report, which detailed this opportunity, I have spent two-and-a-half years developing this potentially game-changing initiative.”
It could be fourth-time lucky for Ross Le Brun who has stood for election in his home parish and on an island wide basis previously. He now comes armed with 4.5 years government experience though, having been a non-voting member of the Committee for Employment and Social Security in the last term.
“I have consistently campaigned and contributed ideas to improve island life, and I now want to take that further by putting forward practical, balanced policies in the States that improve quality of life for everyone in Guernsey.”
Tamara Menteshivili is the only candidate who outright references her performance in the 2025 island wide election, stating that she received “over 4300” votes.
She wants to build on that support to deliver what she says Guernsey needs.
“I am increasingly concerned that we are not focusing enough on delivery — whether it’s housing, cost of living, or opportunities for young people.
“What is needed is practical leadership that turns ideas into action — and that’s what I’m offering.”
‘New’ candidates
Of the candidates who did not stand in 2025 and have manifestos easily available for reading, Andrew Taylor reflects on what he achieved in his previous States term.
He did not seek re-election last year, and does not reference that in his 2026 by-election manifesto, but he does say he will seek committee positions and use his experience to “ask the right questions at the right time”.
Mr Taylor says his experience is needed.
“To create change, it is important to properly understand the system – where it works and where it doesn’t.”
Julie-ann Headington is the only first time candidate in this year’s by-election.
She is also the only party candidate, representing Forward Guernsey. Her online manifesto says that she is “standing with Forward Guernsey as I believe the States can best deliver change for islanders when deputies come together and collaborate”.
Her personal experiences are also valuable she says.
“Through my volunteering and community work, I have seen first-hand the challenges many islanders face. I am standing for Deputy to represent those real-life experiences in the States. Because government should never lose sight of the people it serves.”
Jonathan Wilson did not stand for election in 2025, but he was on the ballot sheet in 2020.
Like Mr Meerveld, Mr Wilson’s manifesto includes a section on ‘tidal revenue’ – proposed as an alternative to introducing a goods and services tax in Guernsey.
Along with his other ideas detailed in his manifesto, Mr Wilson proudly states “Guernsey’s best days are ahead of it. But only if we are bold enough to claim them.”
Manifestos and other election campaign material are available elsewhere for the remaining four candidates in April’s by-election.
They are Sam Haskins, Stephen Rouxel, Rob Harnish, and Luke Graham.
Voters will go to the polls on 29 April.
Anyone who registered on the electoral roll in the lead up to the election last year doesn’t need to take any further action if they want to vote in the by-election.
However, anyone who didn’t register but now wants to, or anyone who has become eligible to vote can register on the electoral roll. The electoral roll will close on 25th April.