Alliance Party sets out its stall

The group has unveiled draft policies in a number of areas, including social policy, tax and education, on which its candidates will stand at the upcoming election. Its first party conference will debate these policy areas and is being held at St James tonight (Wednesday 19 August) and starts at 7pm.

On cannabis, the draft policy is to legalise and enable the use of medicinal cannabis and investigate the practicality of decriminalising the possession of small quantities of own use cannabis within the Bailiwick within the next States term – while maintaining the prohibition on all other controlled substances, within a framework that educates and protects the people of Guernsey.

On tax, there is a draft pledge not to introduce a goods and services tax, value added tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax in the next term. Plus, working to minimise the necessary tax take and re-evaluate in five years’ time, and not increasing income tax rates within the next term for those earning less than £50,000.

‘We will not make Guernsey uncompetitive with similar jurisdictions for those earning greater than £50,000. The policy seeks to rationalise the civil service, focusing on enhancing the position of the frontline staff and controlling the management layers and the breadth of States activities,’ said the party.

‘We will spend on infrastructure and tourism projects, but, with the exception of possible specialist areas, only to the extent that Guernsey businesses have the capacity to fulfil.’

On education, there is support for implementing the three-school model with a sixth form college, supplemented by scholarships in an environment that looks to support and work in constructive alliance with the private sector.

The aim is that the strategy will be settled in 2020 with a clear pathway before the end of the 2020/21 academic year.

The health policy is to reduce the cost of access to medical services for low to middle income groups and ensure access to dental services for all children up to the age of 16 within the next States term. Negotiation of a reciprocal health agreement with the UK will be prioritised.

A shake-up of housing policy, including encouraging brownfield developments, is also among the draft policies along with support to develop renewable energy and creating an environment that financially encourages a move to electric or other green vehicles.

‘It will be clear who we are and what we stand for. There will be no hidden cliques or secret agendas,' said a party spokesman. 'Party politics is helping to bring full transparency to Guernsey politics.'

He said the party was looking forward to presenting the draft policies at the conference.

'There may be some changes, depending on what the feedback is, but once they are ratified, they will be here to stay and it will be up to the islanders to decide whether to vote for our candidates.’