The two-day Crown Dependencies Network meeting was built around the theme of ‘Good Electoral Practice: Reflections and Lessons from the 2025/2026 Crown Dependency Elections’.
The subject was timely. Guernsey held its general election last year, Jersey and the Isle of Man held theirs earlier this year, and elections are due shortly in Alderney and Sark.
On the first day, delegates visited La Societe Sercquaise’s Heritage Rooms and heard presentations at the Chief Pleas Assembly Rooms on Sark’s governance, its current policy priorities and the opportunities and challenges facing the island.
Day two brought a plenary session at the Island Hall, chaired by the speaker of Chief Pleas, Paul Armorgie. Guest speaker Heidi Soulsby, Guernsey’s former deputy chief minister, spoke about good electoral practice.
Table discussions followed, in which delegates shared ideas and experiences with colleagues from other jurisdictions.
‘I thoroughly enjoyed attending Sark’s first ever CPA event and was honoured to be invited to take part,’ said Mrs Soulsby.
‘The people of Sark were incredibly welcoming and I think a lot was learned by the delegates that could be taken back to their jurisdictions for the benefit of future elections.’
Sark Conseiller Natalie Tighe said it had been an honour to organise and take part in the meeting.
‘For one of the CPA’s newest and smallest members, hosting our fellow Crown Dependencies was a significant occasion,’ said Conseiller Tighe, who is involved with the island's CPA.
‘This was not a social visit. Our jurisdictions are different, but we often face similar challenges, and hearing how others respond is a valuable learning opportunity.’
Mr Armorgie said it had been a pleasure to welcome the delegates and to chair ‘a thoughtful and constructive discussion’.
‘Sharing experience with colleagues who face similar challenges, whatever the differences in size and structure, is of real value to all of us,’ he said.
‘I hope the connections made here will continue and strengthen our cooperation in the years ahead.’
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