Best States ever? Let’s hope so

Fine words. Fine sentiments. Fine ideals.

But what about when the politics get tougher, as will undoubtedly happen? The last Assembly has left the new one facing a potential quagmire on key issues. Voters will, rightly, be hoping that the muddy boots of division from the old term are left at the door for this session.

But it will be difficult to stick to lofty ambitions of a more harmonious politics. Think Education. Think tax and spend. Think who pays for old age care.

There are strong characters with strong views. Conversely, the order from voters to work together could give deputies at least an element of political cover to reach pragmatic achievable solutions. It will be a balancing act, though, for deputies with manifesto commitments that leave limited room for manoeuvre.

Think too of the as yet unknown impact of party groupings. How will that dynamic work? The risk of creeping ‘them and us’ is there, which could frustrate progress voters want.

What too of the independents? What will be the interaction with the political groupings? Confidence and motion-style support on individual policies or a longer-term accommodation based on shared values? An early flashpoint could be the elections of committees and their presidents. It will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

It is to this backdrop that voters want speedy action in areas such as enhancing broadband, which has already proved its worth in lockdown and increased home working, to support the economy. The Revive & Thrive strategy to help recovery from the pandemic must also move quickly to the proverbial ‘spades in the ground’.

Such ‘wins’ for Guernsey go back to the need for deputies – and indeed the whole island – to work together, and agreeing to disagree all the while knowing when to move on. If our deputies achieve this, could this new States one day be known as the ‘best States ever’? Here’s to hoping.