I spend most days on Victoria Street and the High Street in Alderney. Having looked at all the windows in town, I failed to see any of the ‘Aexit’ signs currently being claimed. There are a few ‘No to GST’ and ‘No to data centre’ signs around, but none that I could find relating to the claimed ‘Aexit’.
So, let’s look at the situation.
Yes, of course there are serious concerns and frustrations around the airport project and transport links, including the need to work through airline issues and resolve medevac arrangements for people when they are needed. These are issues we need to address and move forward.
The runway has always received political support in the Chamber, rather, the process seems to be the problem when it comes to delivering the runway and other high-level capital projects under the States of Guernsey. This must be addressed to give confidence and certainty to the community involved and to ensure that important projects can be delivered.
All three governments – Guernsey, Alderney and Sark agreed to the Bailiwick Commission as a way forward to understand the relationships between the islands and, hopefully, look at what is working and what isn’t, with the aim of making improvements.
Personally, I don’t believe Alderney can actually cut itself fully away from Guernsey when healthcare and education are so important and essential for our island community of 2,000 people. We pay our taxes and social security contributions to Guernsey in return for transferred services, and that relationship provides essential services to people living in Alderney. I also don’t believe that, if we did break away, Jersey would simply rock up and take over any new relationships.
That does not mean everything between Alderney and Guernsey has always been easy. There have been difficult periods, disagreements and times when Alderney has quite rightly felt frustrated and that its voice was not being heard strongly enough. There have been decisions and processes where Alderney has wanted more certainty, better communication and a greater say in matters that directly affect our island. Those concerns should not simply be dismissed. They need to be recognised and addressed if we are going to build a stronger relationship for the future.
Being part of the Bailiwick should never mean Alderney simply accepting whatever comes from Guernsey. We should expect Alderney’s voice to be heard, our concerns to be taken seriously and commitments made to our island to be followed through. There is nothing wrong with Alderney asking for more influence, better accountability and a stronger say in its own future. In fact, that should be at the heart of strengthening the relationship. We can be proud of being Alderney, while also recognising the practical benefits of being part of a wider Bailiwick.
When we had issues to resolve with the Island Medical Centre (IMC), our primary care service, Guernsey and Alderney worked extremely closely together, supporting each other to find solutions.
Then came the dark days of COVID. Alderney and Guernsey again worked extremely hard together to protect the Bailiwick, with endless meetings involving elected members and civil servants. Whatever our differences, there is a long history of the islands working together when it really matters.
What is needed is for us to work together for the good of the Bailiwick, rather than some in Alderney apparently believing that we can sail off into the sunset and that the grass will be far greener if Alderney were to break away from the 1948 Agreement.
Instead, there needs to be a clear plan for working with Guernsey on economic development. A couple of years ago, Guernsey Finance visited the island and were blown away by the financial sector operating from Alderney in partnership with their office in Guernsey.
Yes, Alderney does have some of the best tidal resources in the world, which one day will hopefully be unlocked. We also have the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC), a world-class, independent regulator recognised globally for its high standards in online gambling oversight. By combining rigorous, crime-free player protections with an innovative, risk-based approach, it provides a stable and highly respected environment for top-tier operators.
To simply believe that the magic money tree will appear for Alderney once it breaks away is foolish and rather naïve. Global pressures are hitting everywhere at the moment, with the cost of living, inflation, war and mortgage rates all creating challenges.
I also regularly pick up the phone and speak with deputies from different committees. I have always found them helpful and willing to offer advice or guidance when dealing with constituency work. That level of cooperation is important and is something we should continue to build on.
For me, the answer is not to walk away from Guernsey, but to make the relationship between Alderney and Guernsey work better for both islands. Alderney needs to be heard, respected and properly supported, while Alderney also needs to recognise the responsibilities that come with being part of the Bailiwick. A healthy relationship cannot be one-sided; it requires communication, trust and a willingness on both sides to resolve problems rather than allow frustrations to build.
Now is the time for clear heads and for working with all the Channel Islands together to achieve the best outcomes.
Aexit would, in my view, risk causing far more damage than good for Alderney. It would be our own version of Brexit—a decision that could put unnecessary barriers between Alderney and Guernsey, despite the close relationships, cooperation and shared services that have been built up over generations.
We should be fixing what isn’t working, not walking away from what does.
Alex Snowdon,
States of Alderney Member
Alderney Representative in the States of Deliberation, Guernsey
