Reasons for leaving?

His decision to quit on the morning of the Leale’s yard open planning meeting yesterday comes less than a month after Deputy Heidi Soulsby resigned as vice-president of the Policy & Resources Committee, Guernsey’s second most senior political role.

Earlier this month also saw Deputy Mark Helyar quit as leader of the Guernsey Party.

What were their reasons?

Deputy Taylor claimed to have concerns related to conflict of interest, ‘an apparent disregard’ for rules of procedure and meetings taking place without the knowledge of all authority members.

Deputy Soulsby said at the time of her resignation: ‘It has been obvious for quite a while that my views and advice have not been valued by some on the Committee and I think there is little point in me continuing in the hope that things may get better.’

Deputy Helyar cited both personal and political reasons, including that the ‘role as treasury lead is often incompatible with following a party position’.

Will there be more reshuffles ahead?

It is possible that, halfway through the current States term, other deputies will be reflecting on what they have achieved so far and wondering if they are in the right role and working with the right people to achieve their goals before the next election.

Whatever the real reasons behind these resignations, what it does indicate is an Assembly which is struggling to set aside its differences and work together.