We’re not changing, says P&R president

He said P&R’s critics in the States should lead a motion of no confidence debate if they want to get rid of the committee and install a different style of leadership.

The committee’s former vice-president, Heidi Soulsby, has claimed that P&R is doing nothing to sort out division and tribalism which she said was destroying the current States. And she has called on the committee to resign if it could not sort out the problem.

‘If that’s what they want, they will have to bring a motion of no confidence,’ said Deputy Ferbrache.

‘If people want to bring a motion of no confidence in P&R, that’s what they must do, if they think that’s in the best interests of the Bailiwick, but I don’t think it is.

‘If people want to bring a challenge like that, fine. Let’s have that debate. All the facts will have to come out.’

Deputy Ferbrache thought it was possible that his committee could face a motion of no confidence this year.

‘They might do that after the [Government Work Plan] debate in July or later in the year. But I think they will fire their salvos only if they think they have a majority of votes.’

In a letter to the Guernsey Press published yesterday, Deputy Soulsby cited P&R’s approach to a key tax and spending debate earlier this year – which broke up without an agreed long-term plan – as an example of the committee’s poor leadership and refusal to compromise with other deputies, which she believes is stoking division.

‘I don’t think that’s accurate. People disagree with each other, but that doesn’t mean there is tribalism,’ said Deputy Ferbrache. ‘Tribalism is an easy drum to bang. If you repeat the mantra often enough people might believe it, but it’s not true.

‘I’ll always try to learn but I think we’re doing the best we can do in extremely difficult circumstances.’