‘There remains much to be positive about’ – Trott’s Christmas message

I’m very grateful to be asked to share a few thoughts on this past year while also looking ahead to 2025.

Christmas is a time of reflection and hope and, while Guernsey is currently going through a challenging period in terms of public finances, there remains a huge amount for us to be optimistic about.

I have been a States member for nearly 25 years and, as a family man with an 11-year-daughter and an adult daughter and son, I remain as firmly invested in Guernsey’s future as I have ever been. My family, like so many others across our islands, will come together this Christmas to enjoy this festive period.

Our islands continue to be a safe place in which to live, work and raise a family and while we undoubtedly have challenges that persist and which will need to be faced and addressed, there is also much for us to celebrate as members of this caring community.

There are unfortunately islanders for whom Christmas is a very difficult time. This could be through loneliness, bereavement or financial challenges. If you are struggling, please don’t suffer in silence. We are blessed with some wonderful charities in Guernsey who can help in addition to our excellent public services.

I think another key Christmas message from us all must be one of heartfelt thanks for the huge number of public servants who will be working while the rest of us enjoy festivities with our loved ones. There are too many to name, but I think of the emergency services, healthcare staff including nurses both at the hospital and in the community, and carers. We owe such staff a debt of gratitude, not only during Christmas but throughout the whole year. From a personal perspective my mother is in full-time dementia care, and I am so grateful to those who will be looking after her this Christmas. I’m sure such feelings are shared by many islanders whose loved ones are in a similar situation.

There has been much talk in recent months about the cost of the public sector, particularly around staff costs, and it is important for me to again highlight that most of our staff costs are for those working in healthcare or education. As we head into 2025 my hope is that we can better recognise the quality of our public services and those who work in it, as I truly believe our community overall does not wish to see a reduction in the services our government currently provides.

As a I look back over 2024 there are many moments which spring to mind, but two stand out for me on a personal level and I hope you will indulge me for a moment. The first was the visit of their Majesties in the summer. This was a joyous occasion and a wonderful day of community togetherness. I was honoured to be able to bid their Majesties farewell in person and touched that King Charles wished me happy birthday for the following day. A birthday that I share with Queen Camilla. It was a lovely moment and one I’ll cherish.

Laying the wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of the Bailiwick was, without a doubt, the highest honour of my public service to date. Two of my great-grandfathers lost their lives in the First World War and two grandfathers fought bravely in the Second World War. Mine is a family history that will be replicated in part or in full across our islands.

Now to look ahead to 2025. It will be a big year for Guernsey. It is an election year and I would like the take this opportunity to encourage everyone to register on the electoral roll and then exercise your democratic right to vote – a right that many of our ancestors fought for us to have, as I referenced in the paragraph above. To quote former US President Barack Obama: ‘There’s no such thing as a vote that doesn’t matter’ and in a small community such a Guernsey your vote carries even greater weight.

We know the challenges we must face – housing, the sustainability of public services while meeting increasing demands for services, particularly in health and care, infrastructure investment and economic growth, to name but a few. Guernsey has faced such challenges before and always come through, and we will again. Despite the challenges ahead there remains much to be positive about. We are so fortunate to call Guernsey our home.

I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous Christmas and New Year.