Alderney has had enough of being made to feel like the poor relation

Is Guernsey taking Alderney for granted, failing to fulfil its obligations of the 1948 Agreement, and risking the relationship between the islands?

The 1948 Agreement laid out the islands’ respective responsibilities: Alderney pays its tax to Guernsey – including income tax and fuel tax among others; in return, Guernsey provides public services (though not to the same high level as Guernsey residents receive). The Agreement also sets out how the States members of Alderney and Guernsey work together, or at least how they should work together.

But there is a feeling that Guernsey is tired of its responsibility and is trying – consciously or unconsciously – to ease back on what it is prepared to do for us; in fact, certain senior politicians seem to have a preference to break up the Bailiwick.

A review of the 1948 Agreement was scheduled for 2020, until Covid put that on hold. When any review does happen – and there are calls for that to be sooner rather than later – it is essential that the UK’s Ministry of Justice is involved.

Alderney Airport is not fit for purpose. We know that, and we want a resolution to all the issues, but does Guernsey really agree? The red herring of plans to redevelop Alderney Airport was a ruse, an over-specific tender aimed at getting quotes beyond any reasonable price so that Ports could say it was too expensive.

Policy and Resources’ decision to reduce the air subsidy for Alderney residents raised hackles up north. Deputy Lyndon Trott defended that decision, saying the subsidy that Alderney receives (ca. £5k per person, so approx. £10.8m.) was more than each paid into the common purse.

Which part of the 1948 Agreement specified that Alderney could only receive the equivalent of the taxes it paid? The Agreement was ratified at the highest level: Guernsey committed itself to taking on responsibility for the upkeep of Alderney; there is no allowance for the governmental equivalent of ‘It’s my ball and I don’t want to play with you anymore’.

Aurigny came from Alderney. The ongoing subsidy of Aurigny has cost the States more than £100m. over the past 10 years. The withdrawal of out-of-hours medevac services already made Alderney residents feel less-than-wanted. Allowing the air links to deteriorate will only increase that feeling.

Blue Islands also has its origins in Alderney, has taken over the routes previously offered by Flybe, has negotiated a codeshare agreement with Loganair, and has benefited from a £10m. loan from the States of Jersey, who obviously see the benefits of maintaining regular routes to both the UK and the Continent.

We were at the forefront of internet gambling, drafting and passing legislation while others wallowed in red tape. We granted licences, attracted multiple fee-paying businesses, and set up the Alderney Gambling Commission – now a global leader in eGambling regulation.

Alderney has an opportunity to benefit from the renewable, green energy of tidal power. Currents around the island are some of the strongest in Europe and are more reliable than wind or solar power. Plus, our proximity to the French coast would allow us to collaborate with a larger energy market. Harnessing the waves would provide power, protect the environment and benefit the island’s economy.

Alderney has had enough of being made to feel like the poor relation. We are fulfilling our side of the agreement, bring your commitments up to date.

Perhaps we should ask Jersey whether they want us to be part of their Bailiwick. It’s an extreme decision, and the legalities of seceding from one Bailiwick and joining another would need to be very carefully considered, but let’s put this to the people of Alderney.

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