Welcome, Bob, welcome all

Now with their candidates out in the open, let’s seize the opportunity to raise the tone and quality of political debate that the people of Guernsey expect from those who canvass their vote.

We note the eight Guernsey Party candidates are distinguished individuals, though none have previously served as a People’s Deputy. Indeed, one of the candidates makes a virtue of this inexperience, calling for voters to, ‘press the reset button,’ castigating those who have served in the last Assembly and led us through the recent pandemic. We agree that ‘new blood’ (as they put it) is great, which is why among the Guernsey Partnership of Independents we have a number of new candidates, alongside the depth of experience and leadership.

But, of course a shortage of experience can lead to errors, for example extolling a policy of investing in new CT and MRI scanners at the PEH when the radiology equipment replacement programme is due to be completed by the end of the year. This includes new CT and SPECT-CT scanners which were installed last year and the new MRI scanner, which is expected to be in place by Christmas.

Another example of a ‘Guernsey Party policy’ that has in fact already been debated and approved by the current States is the creation of lasting powers of attorney, a feature of the Capacity Law developed by the Committee for Health & Social Care and agreed earlier this year.

But we must be generous with honest rookie mistakes. The intention is good. Let’s hear more ideas about health care plans.

In the end, with currently eight candidates standing for 38 seats, we can be sure of one thing: any successful Guernsey Party candidate will have to work with others, which our candidates have pledged to do. Enough chucking pebbles on social media. Let’s go to the electorate with positive ideas to improve life on this island that we all love. In order to achieve the progress we all desire, we must, as the Guernsey Partnership of Independents likes to say, ‘move forward together.’

DEPUTY HEIDI SOULSBY

The Guernsey Partnership of Independents. Moveforward.gg

(PS: It is you Bob, isn’t it?)