Introduction
I want the States to focus on doing fewer things—but do them well and quickly. Below are some proposals to start fixing the States, including specific promises. After reading this, I hope you will give me your vote.
Housing, Homelessness & Cost of Housing
Our housing situation is dire. Affordable housing has been outsourced to the GHA. They are doing a good job but can’t keep up with demand. We need to take back control and act fast. We cannot wait for developers who, understandably, build for maximum profit. What we need now are affordable homes—not in years, but today.
Progress has been minimal. In four years, we’ve barely moved forward. Yes, we agreed to form a Housing Committee, but in my view, that was just another example of kicking the can down the road. Actions, not words.
The States already own land and have access to part of the unspent £330 million loan. We’ve recently approved changes to the Island Development Plan, allowing for 'Strategically Essential Development.' Surely housing qualifies?
With land, capital, and flexibility, we should be building modular housing now—small one and two-bedroom homes for rent, purchase, or rent-to-buy. Exclude speculators and buy-to-let landlords. Bring in specialist modular housing teams to build them if needed. In the short term, we should allow the charity-run sleeping pods on States land.
Promise: If elected, I will with others, push for this plan immediately.
Cost of Living
The rising cost of living affects everyone. While not all factors are within our control, many States policies have made things worse.
We also create too many regulations, requiring more civil servants and charging more fees. A key example is the energy strategy. Regardless of your views on climate change, our priority must be affordable, reliable electricity via cable, on-island generation, wind, or solar—whichever is cheapest.
Recently, I successfully persuaded the States to stop ratepayers from funding rectories—a small but meaningful win. Over the years, it will save ratepayers hundreds of thousands of pounds, helping the struggling residents.
Promise: If elected, I will pursue a cost-reduction strategy across all committees. No compromise.
Taxation
I have consistently opposed the introduction of GST. It would harm pensioners, especially those on fixed incomes, and women who paid reduced-rate stamps and now do not have a full pension. This is a stain on the States of Guernsey.
Promise: I will attempt to persuade other members to resolve this issue for these women.
The GST rate itself is still undecided: 5%, 8%, or higher? Food exempt? School fees exempt? We just don’t know. GST is not inevitable.
Instead, we should first:
- Shift some of the tax burden from individuals to corporations who are benefiting from the 0/10 tax model.
- Review and improve the tax collection processes.
- Increase or remove tax caps on ultra-high-net-worth individuals while helping middle earners.
- Apply changes to Social Security caps for high earners.
- Introduce a temporary 'Infrastructure Levy' of 2% with a five-year sunset clause to preserve our headline 20% income tax rate while carrying out changes, some of which are listed above.
There are other things we can do to painlessly increase the tax take. We must stop States owned entities working against local retailers who are struggling to compete. For example, Guernsey Post promoting off island shopping. Nothing wrong if people want to buy on the internet, I do, but does the Post Office have to promote it so much?
Pillar 2, a global tax standard for large companies may bring in up to £30 million annually, but is very uncertain.
Promise: I will remain anti-GST and insist all alternatives are pursued before GST is brought back to the States.
Accountability and the Civil Service
Civil servants and consultants must be held accountable when they provide misleading or incomplete information. Reforms are needed:
- Introduce performance-related pay to the States workforce.
- Efficiency review and reduce unnecessary management while boosting front line workers.
- Review the States pension scheme for all States employees.
- Restore proper political oversight of delegated powers to unelected officials.
Promise: If elected, I will clearly and firmly communicate expectations to committee civil servants and advisors.
Health
Health costs are rising. PEH Phase 2 went significantly over budget, in part due to information being withheld by civil servants. This must not be allowed to happen again. Financial oversight by politicians has been seriously lacking. I will demand closer oversight by the committee or any committee that undertakes large projects
Guernsey cannot match UK healthcare services without UK-level taxes. We are a sub scale jurisdiction, everything costs more. We should send more complex cases off-island when necessary. Those with private health insurance should be encouraged to use it, easing pressure on public resources.
Transport
Electric Vehicles should not be tax-exempt. They use public roads and cause wear and tear and add to congestion as any other car does. A fair system of EV taxation could begin as early as 2026.
Aurigny continues to deliver poor service with delays, cancellations, and aircraft issues. The so-called Black Swan events of 2024 just continue unabated. Frankly, something has to change.
Promise: If elected, I will demand a full review of Aurigny. It is the States responsibility to have effective management installed, it is operating to maximum efficiency and in the best interests of Guernsey people.
The ferry deal with Brittany Ferries included Guernsey purchasing the Islander vessel earlier under Emergency powers given to the Civil Contingencies Authority. No information on this has been released but the public have a right to know how their money is spent. I will work to change Civil Contingencies Authority rules to allow more disclosure.
Education
Education spending has increased dramatically, particularly for the Sixth Form Centre and Guernsey Institute. These must be properly scrutinized and if there is fault by anyone it must be dealt with accordingly.
Some form of selection should return. Removing the Grammar school without a plan on how to proceed is one of our worst decisions. Selection is part of life, and pretending it doesn't exist is unrealistic. How this should work is a complex matter and as a first step I would insist it is considered by the new ESC as a priority. Further steps to follow on.
Schools need to be freed from the dead hand of central control by giving schools more autonomy.
Promise: I will demand the ESC Committee pursues academic excellence at reasonable cost as it’s number one priority, and reconsiders some form of selection for our brightest pupils.
Climate Policy
Climate goals must be practical and affordable. Most accept global warming is real, but Guernsey’s impact is negligible. We cannot bankrupt ourselves while congratulating ourselves how good we are at carbon reduction.
States Governance and Public Finances
Too many projects are approved with flawed, incomplete or simply wrong information. Examples:
- The hospital extension
- The Sixth Form Centre
- The Alderney runway
Transparency and scrutiny are essential to prevent cost escalations post-approval. The States needs to become more open and transparent with the public.
Promise: I will demand proper evidence and challenge weak or missing information.
Discrimination
I stand for no discrimination against anyone, full stop!
Work in the current Term
I have already mentioned my success in persuading the Assembly to agree to stop long suffering rate payers having to pay for the upkeep of the parish rectory. This was a landmark decision as the practice was hundreds of years old.
Also, to repeat I have voted against every attempt to introduce GST. A very pernicious tax that will hit pensioners and lowly paid workers most. The mitigants were woefully inadequate.
I voted in favour of Deputies having to declare all assets held outside of Guernsey.
I voted against any proposal that required more Civil Servants.
I voted for the anti-Age Discrimination legislation.
And many more!
Summary
I hope you’ve read this far— if so, well done! 😊
This manifesto outlines a fair, affordable, and accountable Guernsey for all—newcomers, temporary residents, and families who’ve lived here for generations.
I’m not making endless promises. What I’ve shown above is what I will do. With the experience from my first term, I know what’s broken and how to fix it. I’ll also support and mentor like-minded new Deputies. It will however take some time to turn around some long-established practices.
Thank you—and vote for Guernsey, Vote Le Tissier!