Deputy has #100WaysGsy plan for more political engagement
A SOCIAL media project to encourage islanders to think about taking up a role in politics has been launched by Deputy Emilie Yerby.
The West deputy has set up a Facebook page called 100 Ways to Make a Difference in Guernsey and said she intends to update it about three times a week.
These postings will be suggestions for making a difference that range from politics to volunteering to making environmental choices and she intends to publish the first this week.
She said she came up with the idea over the Christmas break.
‘I spent a lot of time thinking about what I absolutely must do in the next 18 months, before my time as a States member is up,’ she said.
‘I’ve said from the start that I’m only doing one term – I’m just sticking to my word. At this stage, it really does feel like time is running short.’
She did not rule out standing again at some future point ‘if the people of Guernsey will have me’ since she loves the work.
After letting go of some things she realised she would not be able to achieve, she was left with a small number of priorities.
‘I have always felt that getting people involved in local politics is vital for our democracy, and I realise that I have a unique platform to do so while I’m still in the States,’ she said.
‘So one of my top priorities for the next year-and-a-half is to raise awareness of Guernsey politics and show people how they can get involved, and how important it is to do so. I’m a big believer that ordinary people can change the world – or at least build a great future for our island.’
She stressed that her project was not linked to any political group or agenda and her work was freely available to anyone who wanted to use it.
‘I feel strongly that our politics is enriched by difference – of backgrounds, of skills, and even of political opinions.
‘Some of the colleagues I value most within the States are not people I always agree with politically, but people whose decency, trustworthiness and integrity is beyond question.
‘So I’m trying to be completely open and inclusive in my approach. Having a variety of views in the States helps to make sure that we consider all the options before coming to a consensus on the way forward – it’s healthy, and I’d hate to see it go.’
At the same time as the #100WaysGsy project, she has also made a commitment to provide ‘how to’ guides to the States on her website, although she said these would not be official and others might have a different perspective.
People are being invited to get in touch and share suggestions for what they would find useful or anything they would like to add to the 100 Ways list in the hope that it will lead to greater engagement with politics across the island, and perhaps give people the courage to consider standing in the 2020 general election or to otherwise get involved with the political life of the Bailiwick.
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