WATCH: What does Guernsey do better than Jersey? We asked election candidates… and some couldn’t think of a thing

Recycling, free parking and a stronger business environment were among the answers given when Jersey’s Senatorial candidates were asked to name one thing Guernsey does better – although several insisted there was nothing Jersey could learn from the island across the water…

As part of Bailiwick Podcasts’ Election Disassembled series, we asked every Senatorial candidate the same question: “What is one thing that Guernsey does better than Jersey?”

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In the lead up to the election this Sunday, we sat down with our senatorial candidates and asked them a few questions… 🎙️ “Whats one thing Guernsey does better than Jersey?” 🇬🇬>🇯🇪 Listen to their full interviews on the Bailiwick Website, along with candidates for Deputy and Connétable.

♬ original sound – bailiwickexpress

The answers ranged from practical policy suggestions to outright refusals to concede that the neighbouring island does anything better at all.

“Nothing”

Several candidates struggled to identify anything they felt Guernsey had over Jersey.

Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham’s answer was perhaps the most emphatic.

“I can’t think of it, not even one thing,” he said.

However, he stressed that Jersey and Guernsey continue to work closely together on a range of issues.

Alan Le Pavoux was equally blunt.

“Nothing. Sorry everyone in Guernsey, I know I’ve got friends in Guernsey!”

Former Treasury Minister Alan Maclean also came down firmly on the side of Jersey.

“I think Jersey does most things very well, and Guernsey often learns from us,” he said.

Environment Minister Steve Luce said he was “struggling” to answer the question, while Karl Busch said he was “stumped”. Former Senator Guy de Faye’s answer was even shorter: “Can’t think of a thing.”

Free parking

Deputy Helen Miles identified one very specific area where she felt Guernsey had an advantage, which, for many Islanders accustomed to feeding paycards and parking apps, may prove one of the more relatable answers…

“Apart from getting more cruise ships… parking,” she said. “They have free parking.”

Less regulation

External Relations Minister Ian Gorst argued that Guernsey’s smaller size allows it to take a more pragmatic approach to government.

“They don’t try and regulate like a big country,” he said. “We have got into the way of really thinking regulation is the answer to everything.”

Recycling

Former Assistant Chief Minister Sir Mark Boleat pointed to environmental policy.

“It’s done very well with recycling,” he said.

Unlike Jersey, which currently sends most of its waste to the Energy Recovery Facility at La Collette, Guernsey has invested heavily in recycling infrastructure and household sorting schemes.

Construction

Treasury Minister Elaine Millar’s mind was with bricks and mortar.

“I was told… that they are better at construction, and the construction industry in Guernsey is much healthier than ours. So I think we do need to have a look at that,” she said.

Winning business

Independent candidate Martin Aliga said he had recently heard concerns about businesses choosing Guernsey over Jersey.

“If entrepreneurs are leaving Jersey for Guernsey, that means Guernsey is doing something Jersey could actually benchmark on,” he said. “Guernsey seems to be doing something good if they can steal our investors.”

A diplomatic answer

Home Affairs Minister Mary Le Hegarat opted for diplomacy rather than rivalry.

“I think all of us need to work better together,” she said.

“I wouldn’t say that they’re better than us or that we’re better than them.”

On a similar note, despite his earlier intervention, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham concluded: “We work on a number of issues, and we work very well together… When we choose respect over rivalry, better things happen.”