With the 2025 election now firmly in sight, much focus will be on what Islanders, (objectively or subjectively) believe this current Assembly has (or has not) achieved. How individual Deputies may or may not have performed and what individual Islanders believe needs to be focussed upon in the new term. I myself was in that position in the summer of 2020, before I was elected. Whilst I thought at the time, from following States Meetings being broadcasted, reading published material such as States Accounts and Budgets and attending the WEA course ‘So you want to be a Deputy’ – I was as informed as I felt I could be. But there is a lot of truth in the saying that ‘you have to walk a mile in someone’s shoes’.
understanding what the limitations and priorities of delivering Government for the Island (and Bailiwick) actually impose upon you
As a consequence, I have an understanding of ‘The States’ that largely can only be fully understood by those who have been in the role of Deputy themselves. Generally speaking, most Islanders will have a view on what being a Deputy actually is however informed (or misinformed) that may be. Similarly, most Islanders will have views about what needs to change (or not change) which will cover a wide spectrum of Island life. What is deemed important to one person may very well not even register with another. This then can be the fundamental challenge of becoming a Deputy and, once elected – undertaking the role. It is at that point, as a Deputy, you begin to learn whether what you thought should happen, or could be changed or altered, or was to you – an absolute priority – is not necessarily shared by your fellow Deputies – or maybe the resources are not available, financial or human.
From then on, you begin the journey of understanding what the limitations and priorities of delivering Government for the Island (and Bailiwick) actually impose upon you. You get to have an intimate understanding of the true financial position and the projected costs that available funds (and future revenues) may be able to support – and what they will not. It is very difficult to discern what the true priorities of Government need to be amidst the noise of Social Media, individual Committee mandates and the aspirations of your fellow Deputies.
Having walked this path myself and having held the Vice-Presidency of ESC for over 2 years, at the same time for one year being on DPA and then, since late in 2022 joining P&R – I have had quite a wide experience of all of this, I have had to go back on some of the things I originally believed to be otherwise and I have not realised all of what I set out to do either. I will likely be judged on that. But, in the hope that those who read this and visit other parts of the website content, I have identified for electors and potential candidates alike – 10 priorities that are intrinsically linked, which will require the new Assembly to address. They are Island-wide priorities, not personal goals or objectives and they impact ALL islanders, regardless of their circumstances and for that reason, they deserve consideration.
I know only too well, that individuals will themselves have personal or particular issues that they feel strongly about – which is everyone’s prerogative. However, being elected on just one or two specific issues – be they controversial or not, will not avoid dealing with the 10 priorities that have been expanded upon on this website – whoever is elected in June.
At the very heart of what must be addressed in the next term is the lack of revenue being generated by Government. This can only be addressed by raising more or cutting services (efficiency gains will always be worth exploring, but will not deliver the quantum needed). So Taxation is a priority. The biggest spend for Government is Health, so that too is a priority. Whether Islanders are generating sufficient income to pay for the services they consume is a direct consequence of our Economy. Ensuring that we have the best Deputies and that Islanders’ voices are able to be listened to when addressing these fundamentals, requires a capable and competent States. This is now far more a necessity given that the external world has changed dramatically since Covid and Brexit.
Government too can help the cost of living or add to it by how it addresses serious issues such as the Housing crisis, or the cost of Transport within and to and from the Island. Energy unfortunately will be one the biggest costs that Islanders will have to confront going forwards – the world is going though enormous changes and a lot of the resulting costs are outside of our control. Which is why we really do have to assess whether the present Government machinery in terms of Committees are really organised in the best way to address these major challenges. Finally, the skills and capabilities of our people rely on Education and lifelong learning. We have had years and years of uncertainty but now we are at the point of finally resolving this and we must not restart that process yet again – with a new Assembly.
It is my hope that by setting matters out in this way and inviting visitors to comment and discuss, both Islanders and candidates will be better informed and successful candidates will be prepared to hit the ground running in the new term – and we can all hope to see progress.
Please visit here for a summary of all proposed questions for candidates
Deputy Bob Murray, January 2025.