I strive to get things done.

ABOUT ME 

I Cherish Family Life.

My wife and I have two children, both of whom live and work in Guernsey. It is important to me that my family, alongside all islanders, prosper in a community that is safe, independent, economically sustainable, healthy, equitable and fair. An island which protects the vulnerable and works together, including with our outstanding third sector. It is vital we protect this for future generations.

MY VALUES 

Listen, Lead, Collaborate.

I have major respect for the community of this Island and above all else it is they I serve. I thrive in teamwork, integrity and getting things done. I conduct full research and adopt a task and finish work preference. I believe in collective responsibility, democracy and that natural justice must underpin government. I hold the independence of our Island dear, and believe, the maintenance of a safe and secure Bailiwick, social justice and the provision of fit for purpose public services is key.

MY PLEDGE 

I strive to get things done. 

If elected for a third term I will continue to serve with passion and commitment. I will work for the electorate by being consistent with my values and strive hard to deliver what I have set out, to the best of my ability. I will listen and fully respect the views of others. I am a team player who believes in collaborating with colleagues in the pursuit of common goals and always in the best interests of our Island. I will be proactive in driving change.

VIDEO MANIFESTO

Reform, Protect & Prosper

EXPERIENCE

Political

TERM 1

  • 2016 - 2020 - Elected People’s Deputy - Member of Health and Social Care & Vice President of Home Affairs

  • 2016 - 2020 - In response to COVID I was heavily involved with the Hospital Modernisation Programme, the HSC Partnership of Purpose, The UK reciprocal Health Agreement and the implementation of NICE TA medicines and treatments

    TERM 2

  • 2020 - 2025 - Elected People’s Deputy - President of Home Affairs

  • 2020 - 2025 Member of the Civil Contingencies Authority (CCA) which included the second COVID lockdown and emerging from special measures

  • 2020 - 2025 Chairman of the Financial Crime Strategy Oversight Forum (MONEYVAL)

Professional

  • Long career in Customs and Immigration (Now the Border Agency)

  • Chief Officer, Customs and Immigration/Border Agency, for 8 years

  • Member of the Chartered Management Institute (MCMI)

  • Member of the Institute of Professional Investigators (MIPI)

Personal

  • Former Director on the Board of the charity In-dependence

  • Former President of the Sunday Soccer League

WRITTEN MANIFESTO

An Experienced, Proactive and Solution Focused Approach.

There’s 6 key challenges.

There are 6 key challenges confronting us. We must reform our system of government - Committee politics has passed its sell by date. Our economy desperately needs fixing. We have not set a viable fiscal policy for two terms and are in a deficit. Addressing the housing crisis and making homes affordable is vital. Our way of life and our finance industry is completely reliant on government maintaining safety and security. To achieve economic growth, we must develop education and upskill our local workforce and make our public services sustainable and fit for purpose.

1.

REFORM OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

Our Committee system of silo government is broken and no longer fit for purpose. This is evidenced by the lack of colligate action and procrastination around the major issues that beset us. The economy, affordable housing, upskilling the local workforce and making public services (including Health) sustainable and fit for purpose, remain unresolved.

Our cumbersome protracted and siloed committee approach is not seen elsewhere and urgently needs to be replaced with an executive style of collective and fully coordinated government, with fewer Deputies held to account through identifiable leadership. The Isle of Man model operates with 24 elected members, compared to our 40, and operates an effective executive system, combined with a much more robust system of scrutiny.

A new Assembly must quickly dust off the respected ‘2000 Harwood Report’ and change this failed government machinery, to one that gets things done.

2.

FIX THE ECONOMY

Our economy is in dire straits. We have failed to agree a viable fiscal policy and have amassed a huge deficit. Despite multiple debates, some Deputies buried their heads in the sand and failed to grasp this fundamental nettle. Some who shouted loudest against tax reforms, offered no solutions, demanding more spending on their pet projects!

The economy can only grow if government invests in vital crumbling infrastructure. The list of priority capital projects outstanding amount to a staggering one billion pounds.

The Isle of Man and Jersey, our biggest competitors, have a consumption tax, as do most other jurisdictions on the globe, which spreads their tax base. The Isle of Man currently collects one billion pounds in three years and Jersey the same in nine years. From the get-go, we must set fiscal policy. It must include the implementation of the finally agreed progressive tax package, or one similar, mitigated by lowering income tax on the first £30k and reforming social insurance contributions rendering them less regressive.

We also need urgent work on the ‘Pillar 2’ Global Rules (Corporate income tax), without harming our vital finance industry, to raise circa £30million.

3.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

It is said that safety and security of its citizens is the first duty of government. We have a right to expect to enjoy our lives, protected from crime. We have levels of safety not found elsewhere but must not be complacent. Government must continue to build on the extensive initiatives this term, fighting crime and protecting victims, in particular tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence, the provision of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre, tackling cybercrime and online safety and transforming the Criminal Justice system. Continued engagement with our excellent third sector partners, who also provide support to victims, is essential. 

And we must play our part in fighting global crime. We were evaluated by Moneyval in 2024 and obtained an excellent outcome, which is vital to our continued success, as a leading global financial centre. We must not take our foot of the pedal and continue to meet international standards. 

4.

MAKE PUBLIC SERVICES FIT FOR PURPOSE

As outlined, we need to reform government and fix the economy. This must go hand and glove with protecting and reviewing public services. Whilst Guernsey spends less on its government than just about anywhere, and we enjoy outstanding front-line professionals, like all jurisdictions, transformation is essential. In a unique small island jurisdiction, we clearly have opportunities avoiding silos and duplication of effort. 

Target operating delivery models and corporate services require attention. Commissioning our outstanding local third sector, is essential within this process. We must support, incentivise and work with our public servants to modernise and become more efficient. Investing in training, development, staff appraisal accountability and performance related progression is key.

5.

EDUCATION & UPSKILLING THE WORK-FORCE

To keep the economy and front-line requirements going, we need to attract more local people into our businesses, industries and public services. We must also remain appreciative of those from overseas that the business sector simply cannot do without. The post Brexit environment has unfortunately caused global labour recruitment challenges, but we need to be mindful of the demands on our services and housing. 

We must orientate education and our workforce toward filling our recruitment demands focusing on Guernsey residents. Industry and governments ＆ ‘Skills Guernsey’ must combine to tailor our curriculum, and career enhancement toward those demands. More emphasis must be challenged into our excellent Guernsey Institute, due to benefit from an essential new facility next term.

6.

ADDRESS THE HOUSING CRISIS

Just about everyone agrees there is a housing crisis. The dream for families to own a home is disappearing and rents are becoming unaffordable. We are not building enough houses and government policies are not working. The infamous GP 11 failed. Our English based development laws are over engineered causing delay and expense. An investigation into our extortionate cost of building materials, compared to the UK and Jersey, is also needed. 

This crisis must first and foremost be viewed through the lens of local residents. States owned land and buildings must come into the equation. A scheme of truly affordable loans to first time buyers needs to be brought into government scope. The work of our excellent Guernsey Housing Association must also continue to be supported.