Deputy Peter Roffey to stand down at Guernsey's next election in 2025

Deputy Peter Roffey is the President of Guernsey's Employment and Social Security Committee and the States' Trading Supervisory Board. Credit: ITV Channel

One of Guernsey's longest-serving politicians has announced that he will stand down at the next election.

Deputy Peter Roffey is currently President of the Employment and Social Security Committee and the States' Trading Supervisory Board.

In a statement on Monday 27 May, Deputy Roffey said: "After significant reflection, I have decided not to stand in the 2025 General Election.

"I have lost none of my innate interest in public affairs, nor my passion for the island and the community I care so much about.

"Rather my decision is driven by the fact that I've been doing politics at absolute full tilt, eyeballs out, for the last eight years."

Deputy Roffey had put himself forward to succeed Peter Ferbrache as Guernsey's Chief Minister last December but was eliminated in the second round of voting.

He has now taken the decision to step back entirely at the end of the political term having been involved in the States on and off since 1982.

Deputy Roffey's decision is partly down to needing time to adjust after the death of his partner.

He added: "This feeling is strengthened considerably by the fact that since re- joining the States in 2016 I have suffered a major bereavement, losing the person who defined my life.

"In retrospect, taking on a massive workload straight after that loss meant I never really gave myself the time or space to fully adjust to new realities. I now intend to give myself that space.

"If being a deputy was the sort of job where you could take a year's sabbatical, that would be my ideal choice. But it is not. So, with more than a tinge of sadness, I have decided to simply step down from the States instead.

"Although I certainly don't rule out standing for public office again in the future."


Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our podcast to find out What You Need To Know...