Guernsey's Chief Minister calls politicians to meeting ahead of vote of no confidence

In his letter, Deputy Peter Ferbrache confirms the remaining P&R members have no plans to resign. Credit: ITV News

Ahead of the confidence vote in Guernsey's top political committee resuming this week, Deputy Peter Ferbrache has invited all the island's States members to come together to discuss the future of the assembly.

The President of Policy & Resources has written to Deputies, inviting them to a closed-door meeting at Beau Sejour on Monday 11 December.

Deputy Ferbrache says he hopes it will be an "open and constructive conversation" between the island's politicians.

When asked by ITV News why this meeting would be held in private, the Chief Minister said: “There are certain things that have got to be dealt with behind closed doors. It’s not because you’ve got anything to hide but just because it makes sense.

He went on to add that the meeting has nothing to do with the motion of no confidence but rather the wider issues affecting the island.

“I can only say what I think we should be discussing. Which is the key issues of housing, education and finance. We’ve got Moneyval coming up in a few months and that’s vitally important to the Bailiwick."

In the letter seen Deputy Ferbrache says the remaining Policy & Resources committee members have "listened carefully" and "reflected on" comments made during the last States sitting.

But, goes on to stress that the remaining P&R members will not resign and although agreements can't be made on everything he hopes over the next 18 months the assembly "can meet together in every sense of that phrase."

He adds that the issues currently affecting the Bailiwick, such as the deteriorating public finances, a shortage of housing and the director of education, have a better chance of being solved as a "cohesive group" of States members.

He also alludes to wider "confidential matters" affecting Guernsey as a small independent jurisdiction including the consequences of Brexit, COVID and war.

The vote of no confidence debate started on Friday 24 November but was adjourned until Wednesday 13 December.

Before the debate, two members of Policy & Resources, Deputies Mark Helyar and David Mahoney, announced their decision to resign regardless of the outcome of the vote.

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