Manifesto

Headline Commitments:

• Deliver more affordable homes for locals.
• Increase sheltered housing so older islanders can live independently longer
• Double free Early Years Education from 15 to 30 hours a week
• Improve air and sea links
• Set up a commission to find alternatives to GST
• Scrap the flawed plan to move the Sixth Form to the rundown LMDC site
• Accelerate digital transformation in government and education
• Improve pay and conditions for nurses and teachers to match agency rates
• Maintain investment in sport and preventative healthcare
• Encourage and reward businesses that actively deliver on their social and community responsibilities
• Fast-track renewable energy
• Legalise cannabis

Personal Introduction:
Since being elected in 2020, I’ve served as an effective and practical Deputy, and the political lead for sport. With a background in IT and Ironman triathlon, I’m always looking for efficiencies and better ways of working. I believe strongly in inclusive decision-making — it’s essential to involve all stakeholders and bring people with you.

I’m fortunate to have been born on this beautiful island and to have lived here all my life. I live with my partner, Kate. I have two daughters — one who is about to leave the Sixth Form Centre (SFC), and one who is just about to begin. I’m passionate about ensuring my youngest daughter has the same positive experience that both my eldest and I enjoyed. That’s why I strongly support retaining the SFC at its purpose-built facility, so she and all students can benefit from the same high-quality environment.

In my spare time, I enjoy open water swimming, cliff walking, kayaking, and cycling. I’ve represented Guernsey in extreme Ironman-distance triathlons across Europe, and my favourite race-day phrase — ‘finish line or ambulance’ — has served as a useful motto throughout this term in office. I plan to carry that same determination into the next term.

It’s been an honour to serve as the political lead for sport, a director of the Sports Commission, and a volunteer marshal for the unforgettable 2023 Island Games — the best Games any island has ever hosted.

Professional Background and Digital Leadership:
I have over 20 years of experience working in IT across the finance industry, the legal profession, the States of Guernsey, and numerous small businesses. This background has been invaluable in scrutinising and monitoring the States’ digital infrastructure. While I’m pleased that we’ve now turned a corner, there’s still a long way to go before we reach the standard islanders deserve.

During this term, I’ve supported several IT-related projects — including the Guernsey Taxi App and live bus timetables on Google Maps, both fast-tracked in the days leading up to the 2023 Island Games. My experience has also helped drive improvements in school digital infrastructure, securing better procurement outcomes and greater value for taxpayers.

Looking ahead, we’re on the cusp of major advancements in artificial intelligence. It’s crucial we have people in the Assembly with a strong understanding of technology to help the island harness its full potential.

Committee Work and Governance:
Throughout this term, I’ve been one of the few Deputies to serve on two principal committees for the full duration: Environment & Infrastructure and Education, Sport & Culture. Between them, I’ve contributed to 30 policy letters and countless amendments. I’ve shown I’m not afraid of hard work — also serving as Vice-Chair on interim school governance boards, participating in dozens of subcommittees, and recently joining the Digital Steering Group, Beau Sejour Steering Group, and St James Council.

I’m pleased that, during this term, Ofsted inspections have rated the majority of our schools as at least ‘Good’. It’s also great to see that so many parents and students are now actively travelling to and from school, with incentives such as “school streets” allowing children to gain confidence and travel to school independently.

Through the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and inter-island committee meetings, I’ve built strong, trusted relationships with politicians in Jersey, the Isle of Man, Alderney, and Sark.

Early Years Education:
Doubling the free Early Years Education entitlement from 15 to 30 hours is one of the smartest investments we can make — for families, the economy, and Guernsey’s future. It allows parents to move from part-time roles into more secure, long-term employment if they choose to, helping to reduce underemployment and narrow the gender pay gap. It strengthens our workforce, eases recruitment pressures, and boosts long-term tax revenue.

For children, it means stronger development, better school readiness, and earlier support for special needs. Jersey understands the benefits — they’ve already expanded to 30 hours and are seeing the results. We risk falling behind. This isn’t just about childcare — it’s about educational quality, social equity, and economic resilience. Crucially, it gives young families a reason to stay in Guernsey and helps ease the financial pressures of having more children.

I’ve consistently pushed for expanding this entitlement throughout this term — and I’ll keep campaigning for it next term too.

Housing:
Housing will be our top priority next term. To meet demand, we must embrace modern methods of construction. While several sites are already in the pipeline, developers are under pressure — facing rising material costs and labour shortages. Volumetric modular construction will play a key role in delivery, helping ease the burden on local trades until the market stabilises.

Once we clear the bottleneck, it’s essential that we deliver the affordable housing we already know is urgently needed. We also need to significantly expand the provision of sheltered accommodation, enabling our growing ageing population to live independently, safely, and with dignity for longer.

Cannabis Legalisation:
Guernsey currently has de facto decriminalisation of cannabis. Almost anyone can obtain a medical cannabis prescription, often for minor conditions. The high volume of prescriptions has fuelled a widespread diversion market — yet, contrary to past concerns, the sky hasn’t fallen in.

I believe the time has come to seriously explore the legalisation, regulation, and taxation of cannabis in Guernsey.

Bringing People Together:
This term, I’ve worked to bring the Assembly together by organising events like the Swimarathon and A Drink After Work with Your Deputies. If re-elected, I’ll continue to host these events — not only because they raise funds for local causes, but because they build stronger working relationships within the States.

Unlike most organisations, we have no team-building budget, so these informal initiatives are doubly valuable: for community impact and for better collaboration.