Two out of four Alderney States members lose seats

Kevin Gentle and Alex Snowdon will serve another four-year term alongside three newcomers to island politics.

Current States members Boyd Kelly and Lin Maurice were both unsuccessful, garnering the fewest votes of the nine candidates standing.

Mr Kelly is just completing his second term in office.

‘I am disappointed, as I felt I had worked hard over the last four years,’ he said. He added that he had no plans to stand again for the States at this stage.

More than 900 votes were cast, with a 63% voter turnout in an election with profile raised as the island battles Guernsey over subsidies for local flights.

The previous election in 2022 had been uncontested, when only four people stood for five seats.

Alderney States president William Tate said it was good to see a more competitive election this time.

‘I think we can say democracy is healthy in Alderney,’ he said. ‘The electorate has really engaged.’

He noted that more than half of the winners were newcomers and it was a sign of a healthy democracy to have new voices.

The count was held in the Island Hall and although fewer people attended, more than 100 people were watching a live-stream on social media.

Mr Tate said this was the first time this had been done, and also the first time that a ‘speed hustings’ had been held for voters.

‘There were a lot of people watching online and this election has garnered a lot of interest,’ he said.

‘I think it has all been very successful.’

One of the candidates was 97-year-old Rosemary Hanbury, who was bidding to return to local politics after more than 20 years outside of it. She would have become one of the oldest members of government in the world if she had succeeded. But she missed out on a seat by just 16 votes, placing sixth.

Four of the five successful candidates attended the declaration, with Kevin Gentle unable to attend due to personal reasons.

The new candidates will serve until 31 December 2028.