Victoria Oliver: ‘I believe together we can build something better’

‘How do you keep going?’

It’s a question I get asked a lot.

Sometimes it’s asked in curiosity, other times in disbelief, and sometimes – honestly – with a touch of concern. And I get it. Politics is not a walk in the park. It’s pressure, scrutiny, long hours and a thick skin. Now add to that being a working mum, managing a long-term illness like Addison’s disease, and holding one of the hardest committee briefs in the States. I’ve kept pushing forward because I truly believe in public service; in making Guernsey better for the next generation.

Let me try to explain.

Being a working mum in politics is its own brand of juggling act. I thought working as a qualified surveyor was challenging. However, being a mother changes how you work, how you plan, how you prioritise. I don’t stop being a mother when I walk into the States Chamber or a late-night parish meeting. Like so many parents on this island, I help with the homework and figure out what to cook for dinner. It’s my children who remind me every day of what really matters. Who give me perspective, purpose and unconditional love.

Seven years ago I was diagnosed with Addison’s disease, a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the adrenal glands, which do not make enough cortisol, a vital component which our bodies need to work. It’s not something most people, even some doctors, know much about. I require steroid tablets daily to allow my body to survive and will be steroid dependent for the rest of my life, requiring medication throughout the day to keep me going. It doesn’t go away just because I’ve got a committee report to write or a speech to give, although it is well managed.

I never stepped into politics expecting it to be easy. Being the president of the Development & Planning Authority is one of the toughest briefs in the States. It comes with controversy, complexity, and a lot of strong and passionate opinions. The decisions are never black and white. What one parishioner likes, another doesn’t. You’re dealing with people’s lives, hopes, frustrations and futures. It also comes with the opportunity to create meaningful change. It’s all policy and forward planning, planning applications, building control and enforcement.

Since 2020, the DPA has made some positive strides forward. Housing is one of the top priorities of the States. While the DPA isn’t the builder, it is the catalyst. One of our biggest achievements has been the Local Planning Brief for the Harbour Action Areas. It represents a critical step forward in delivering a shared vision for Guernsey’s east coast. The harbour areas are absolutely essential to the functioning of our island, and require a coherent, coordinated approach to development. The Local Planning Brief does exactly that, ensuring any future investment aligns with our strategic goals and truly benefits the wider community.

Of course, we’ve also focused on the smaller, everyday changes that make a big difference to islanders. One of the things I’m most proud of is the broadening of planning exemptions. These changes have allowed islanders to carry out a number of home improvements without the need for planning permission – saving time, money, and no small amount of frustration. I heard from so many people who just wanted to put up a garden shed, install solar panels, or make minor adjustments to their homes without jumping through hoops. These exemptions show that I listen and that I can make planning more accessible and pragmatic.

Perhaps one of the most important legacies the current DPA will leave behind is the work we’ve done to streamline the planning process overall. I know that planning can sometimes feel like a roadblock – not just for large-scale developers, but also for families, small businesses, and parish officials. But in a very positive move, some change no longer needs to go through the planning inspector. By making the process transparent, and more efficient, I’ve paved the way for better decision-making in the next term. And ultimately, that helps everyone.

So how do you keep going when politics, life, and health throw everything they can at you? You keep your eyes on the bigger picture. You celebrate the wins – big and small. You accept the setbacks and learn from them. And most importantly, you never forget that politics isn’t about you – it’s about the people you serve.

Being in public office is one of the most challenging and rewarding things I’ve ever done. It has pushed me to my limits and taught me more than I ever expected. And while the next chapter is still to be written, I remain incredibly hopeful about Guernsey’s future. We are a resilient, resourceful, and caring community.

To truly bring Guernsey’s housing vision to fruition, we must continue fostering a collaborative approach between planners, developers and the wider community. That means unlocking under-utilised sites, ensuring our policies are responsive to current housing needs, and supporting diverse housing types – from affordable rentals to downsizing options for older islanders. We also need to streamline processes further, so projects aren’t delayed by red tape. By combining strategic oversight with practical flexibility, we can ensure new homes are delivered where they’re needed most – helping families put down roots, strengthening communities, and making sure our island remains vibrant and liveable for all.

I wish I could say that I’ve found the magic formula for staying strong in all of this. That there’s some morning routine or productivity hack that keeps me going. But the truth is, resilience isn’t glamorous. It’s not motivational quotes and tidy schedules. It’s messy. It’s finding yourself occasionally crying in the car. It’s powering through when you’re running on empty. It’s having people around you who remind you who you are when you forget.

On top of that, my committee hasn’t had the smoothest term. We’ve faced internal disagreements, public scrutiny, and at times very real challenges in working cohesively as a team. Managing that, while still pushing ahead with reforms and keeping the day-to-day planning system running, has required patience, resilience and a very thick skin. You try to build consensus and focus on the issues, but sometimes you’re firefighting. Sometimes you’re cleaning up messes that aren’t yours.

It’s the people. The residents who email with thoughtful questions, or who stop me in Town to share a concern or a kind word, or the families I’ve helped through the planning process.

The DPA isn’t glamorous – we all know we need housing, we all want houses now, but we don’t want houses there. I have found the best way to drive policy forward is to be open, transparent and always think: ‘Would you want this next to you and would my children in the future be happy with this?’

Politics is demanding and hard, at times brutally hard. But it’s also one of the most meaningful ways to make a difference. So when people ask me how I do it, my answer is simple: with help, with love, with purpose, and with a little bit of sheer determination. Because in the end, I believe in this island, I believe in its people, and I believe that together we can build something better.