Aidan Matthews

Manifesto

I am proudly standing as an independent, with my own ideas. I have lived in Guernsey most of my life, building a 27-year career as a software developer. My partner Natasha and I live in St Martin’s with our 9-year-old son Ted.

After being elected, I decided to work for you full-time as a States member, to concentrate on issues that really matter to islanders. Having worked in technology within banking, fund administration, the public sector and insurance, and earned my business degree locally with the GTA, I have a broad view of industry in Guernsey.

All parents want the best for their children, and many have concerns about the direction of education. Divisions have opened up in the assembly, and our island feels more divided than ever. Cutting short the education review and pushing through with the worst of all options was a low point of this States. With pupil numbers falling it’s clear that a more considerate approach to education is needed. My deepest concern now is how the shortage of housing has developed into a serious crisis. Young people wonder if they have a future in the island, and the high cost of living affects people of all ages.

I believe in working together to find common ground. We need a way through that allows young people to stay on the island, and the retired to have the support they need. Families should be able to afford to stay on the island where they grow up, but our services and business need skills from outside too. The balance isn’t right at the moment, change is needed if Guernsey is to remain a great place to call your home.

Housing

Guernsey has a serious housing crisis. It’s always been difficult here, but now it’s worse than it’s ever been. The States has the tools to help islanders but hasn’t worked effectively or together as a unit to get results.

• Planning needs to allocate areas for development that can go ahead quickly. Brownfield should always come first before losing more of our precious green spaces
• The North of the island has taken too much recent development and too high proportion of recent housing proposals, it’s time to find other locations around the island
• A new housing commission using local construction industry know-how could help deliver more homes and suggest improvements to States policies
• Modular buildings and other new technologies should be part of the mix to get homes completed more quickly, and provide emergency housing needs
• Set up States-run schemes to help first time buyers. The States Loan scheme helped many islanders in the past with low deposits, we should set up a new scheme for today
• The rental market needs fair housing standards, protections for tenants, and help to stabilise the very high rent increases and availability shortages

Population

As much as we need new housing, we can’t outbuild the housing crisis. States population policy isn’t working.

• The Population Management Law needs an overhaul
• High net migration leads to price increases and lack of availability, especially in the rental market
• The new Housing Committee should take responsibility to manage migration, and aim for better balance with house building. The rule should be licences are limited relative to new builds
• Rules which limit subsidies and key-worker accommodation only to States recruits from overseas need to be reconsidered, it’s not fair to locally qualified residents who also struggle with these costs

Education

Our State secondary schools have been through too much turmoil during the last few years. I opposed closure of the previous Grammar School and La Mare de Carteret schools. The task ahead will be to improve education services for all ages.

• Secondary schools should be able to make their own decisions, not be run centrally by the Education Office.
• All schools should be able to create their own identity, not merge toward one standard. Parental choice and competition drive up individual school standards
• Education needs to repair its relationship with the independent Colleges. I support funding and would extend parental choice for parents who can’t afford fees to deliver greater social mobility
• The current Sixth form centre should not be used for office space for civil servants. Instead keep options open for a return to its use as an 11-18 school

Health

Guernsey has high quality healthcare but there are many improvements needed. Having served on the committee for HSC, I can vouch for the efforts made to keep services at the standards we expect.

• Waiting times must be brought down, especially in areas such as orthopaedics
• In the UK we can see the NHS is struggling from underinvestment, we must expand our services to cope with increasing demand, we only have one hospital
• The first phase of the PEH modernisation has been progressed, now the next phase is needed to provide for increases which come with an ageing population
• Recruitment is needed to cope with rising demand, but housing is the biggest challenge. Accommodation is desperately needed to avoid dependence on relocation allowances
• Safeguarding standards in all areas have improved but more needs to be done to address concerns
• Locally qualified nurses and healthcare workers should be encouraged, including help with housing and the cost of living
• Mental health and increasing provision for neurodiversity are high among my priorities. We know demand is growing and attitudes are changing

Tax

I voted against the GST+ package, but it has now been voted through. Inflation caused price rises that shocked everyone, and GST will add to this, but the package does protect those on low and middle incomes. I will vote for viable alternatives that come forward. If GST cannot be stopped, an important task ahead will be to keep the lowest rates possible.

• Guernsey has had a shortfall in its tax revenue since the “zero ten” tax changes were introduced in 2008,it’s time to look again at corporate tax reform
• Our tax system remains unbalanced, companies and some of our wealthy residents are able to pay little tax by using the 0% rate for corporate tax. Tax fairness is needed.
• Raise the rate of corporate tax to 15% and close loopholes to achieve greater balance and fairness
• Spending control is needed to achieve a balanced budget. The budget must be balanced, we cannot continue to spend more than we take in
• Preventing the need for GST is a priority but may not be possible. Some of these steps can keep GST at a lower rate, and it should never be applied to essentials like food
• The tax office needs to revise its processes and improve customer service, such as making paper forms easily available for anyone who struggles with the online page

Economy

• Guernsey’s enviable position as a global finance centre provides much of our employment and inward investment. We should support its growth and development and our competitive position
• Our visitor economy needs support with improved connectivity
• The digital economy is developing, progress with AI has shown people how far technology has advanced
• Regulation can be a strength for the island to protect our reputation on the world stage, and at the same time minimise the cost of compliance

Environment

Protecting our island’s natural environment is of vital importance for future generations here, but so is the global environment. Our impact may be small, but we still need to play our part and encourage others to do so too.

• Keep green spaces in areas where people live, work and enjoy, and protect our unique biodiversity protected.
• We can move forwards with renewable energy generation, through offshore wind which shows real promise of delivering results and revenue earnings
• Our drinking water must stay clean and free of pollution from “forever chemicals” like PFAS, and pesticides

Transport

Getting around the island and travelling off it is becoming more difficult, with responsibility is divided among many committees making decisions complicated.

• Public ownership of Aurigny provides stability and routes have expanded, but if problems persist and costs remain high a new approach will be needed to remain competitive
• Harbours and the airport should be run separately to improve efficiency and stand on their own. Boat owners should not be made to subsidise the airport
• Our roads are narrow and congested, but improving the alternatives works better than trying to frustrate drivers into leaving their cars at home
• The way dangerous roads are prioritised is too opaque. Some could be improved with pavements or become one way, whilst others are already safe enough to increase their speed limits

Accountability

Finding out what the States is doing on your behalf is of vital importance in a functioning democracy.

• I support a Freedom of Information Law to bring full transparency. It’s our information, it should always be made available to those with a legitimate interest
• A return of the Public Accounts Committee, or a new Audit Commission, will help build trust in how the States spends money on your behalf, with outside eyes to review the details of work being done
• I will press for a ‘duty of candour’ for all public employees. Backed by law to prevent the withholding of important information from those who need to know, something that unfortunately does occur in the States. The UK government is progressing this, to help combat high profile scandals where information was not passed on to those who could act on it

Law & Order

Home Affairs must progress policy areas that stalled in the 2020-2025 term: population policy review and a justice review.

• Sentencing policy appears too lenient for crimes such as for child sex offences, whilst harsh for others such as drug offences. The justice review must address this
• I support Canadian style regulation of legal cannabis.
• Complaints should be handled more efficiently
• Our narrow roads can feel dangerous, safety standards need enforcement to keep walkers and cyclists safe

Social Policy

• I support anti-discrimination laws for Guernsey through a considered approach, not copying legislation from the UK
• I am always in favour of open discussion and freedom of expression as my first principles, that's how we build a better society.
• Progress modern employment rights such as a statutory redundancy pay which is missing in Guernsey

Government Reform

Our current system depends on ‘consensus’ so deputies have to work together to get results. Successful candidates in this election will go into the current system. Those who co-operate and look to find common ground can deliver change and progress

• Executive government could deliver more decisive change if designed well, but if not then could be worse for the island’s democracy
• I support changes the bring more democratic accountability, but not those that make matters worse. I will support a reduction in the number of deputies if it can be shown that there are proper checks and balances
• Changes to our island wide elections and voting system should be included, not dealt with separately.