Lindsay De Sausmarez

Manifesto

First, here’s what others have to say about me

Dame Mary Perkins: “I’m pleased to propose Lindsay to stand as a deputy. Having worked with her in a previous job, I know that she gets things done, not just talk about it. It’s action that Guernsey needs to move forward, so I have every confidence in Lindsay de Sausmarez as a deputy with her determination and leadership skills.”

Adrian Sarchet (aka the Sea Donkey): “I am Lindsay de Sausmarez’s seconder because I have found her to be honest, courageous, hard-working, well-informed and motivated by genuinely helping the people of Guernsey. I trust her to make good decisions.”

Rupert Dorey: “Lindsay is a proven force in resolving complex political challenges. Armed with sharp technical expertise, keen emotional intelligence, and unyielding focus, she cuts through the noise to drive impactful results for Guernsey.”

A bit about me

It’s a truism that if you want something doing you should ask a busy person. I’m a busy person and, sure enough, I get things done. I’ve been a very active and effective member of the States since I was first elected in 2016, holding several senior roles alongside my parliamentary and constituency work. 

My husband Rollo and I have a delightfully full and busy home, with four school-aged children and an older loved one that we also care for, so I well understand the competing pressures of modern Guernsey life – especially with the island’s high cost of living.

I also play an active role in the community, volunteering and supporting charities, schools and the parish. I’m a keen walker and sea swimmer and I’ve played touch rugby for 20 years, representing Guernsey on many occasions.

My professional background is in media production spanning film, TV, radio and digital, including commercial, corporate and charitable work. For about 15 years I worked at Specsavers and was involved in many award-winning productions.

I hold two degrees and several professional qualifications, but I also rely on good sense and emotional intelligence. I research issues thoroughly and am thoughtful, respectful and open-minded.

What I’ve achieved so far

Here’s a flavour of the work I’ve done this term.

Working collaboratively across government, industry and the community has helped me deliver practical, well-supported policies, such as the Guernsey Housing Plan, Electricity Strategy and Open Market Inscriptions Policy. Work to save the diving platform at the Bathing Pools and preserve our dairy sector show what good partnership can achieve.

Helping people manage the cost of living has been a priority, through support for affordable housing, protecting pensions and carers’ allowance, increasing the minimum wage and keeping bus fares reasonable. 

I’ve played a key role in introducing improved standards and legal protections, for example with respect to rental accommodation, discrimination, water quality, animal welfare and excessive vehicle noise. I was also at the heart of establishing the Nature Commission to protect and enhance the environment and School Streets to make children’s
journeys safer.

I’ve successfully led long-term infrastructure proposals through the States, for example on aggregates, water security and inert waste. Under my leadership we’ve kept our coastal defences secure and maintained our roads with a focus on cost efficiency. 

I’ve also been the driving force behind a more joined up approach to planning, to reduce traffic impact and improve people’s access to green spaces. We’ve cut red tape, modernised and streamlined processes for al fresco permits, taxis and buses, and created a new driving licence category to help charities.

As an individual deputy, I’ve consistently scrutinised and challenged decisions, particularly in education, where I’ve long flagged problems that are now becoming more visible.

What I hope to achieve next

Although this manifesto simply focuses on a few key areas, my interests span many different issues. If you’re interested in other topics, please do visit my website or get in touch.

Housing

• Deliver more affordable homes and unlock stalled developments
• Support the rental market and strengthen protection for landlords and tenants
• Support first-time buyers, downsizers and key workers

Guernsey’s housing crisis has been driven by rising costs and rapid population growth. I led the development of the Guernsey Housing Plan – a strategy created with industry that’s already delivering, with around 450 new affordable homes in the pipeline.

Our work to unlock stalled private developments site by site is proving effective, but to make an even bigger difference the States should establish a delivery body, such as the Housing Commission I proposed, along with a Housing Champion. 

The rental sector, which houses over a quarter of our population, also needs more support. I’ll continue to push for changes like removing the document duty penalty for buy-to-let, and reforming the current rent subsidy for off-island key workers so that it doesn’t inflate costs for everyone and is fairer for local key workers. 

Carefully timed help for first-time buyers and downsizers is also part of the plan.

Health

• Invest more in prevention and make healthy lifestyles easier
• Support carers and stabilise care provision
• Improve access to mental health and community-based services

Staying healthy for longer improves quality of life and reduces long-term costs. We know this approach works for us: initiatives like School Streets, Be Active, and Eat Well are already helping Guernsey positively buck the trend in childhood weight. I’d like to expand social prescribing and other effective, community-based approaches to make it easier for people to live well and stay healthy. 

I’ve long championed carers, both paid and informal, and more recently I have helped stabilise the care home sector through better funding. With demand for care beds rising, we must increase future capacity in those settings and provide more care in people’s own homes. Mental health needs parity with physical health, supported by early intervention and accessible digital tools that enhance – not replace – human care.

Education

• Improve educational opportunities and outcomes, with greater efficiency
• Strengthen Early Years and ALN provision
• Expand vocational, digital and lifelong learning

I’m ambitious for education at every level. As a parent of four children in state schools, I know only too well how political decisions have impacted students and teachers, and I have challenged those that have led to the bigger class sizes and reduced curriculum choice that we’re seeing now. 

We need sensible, evidence-based decision-making about the Sixth Form Centre and other sectors that deliver the best possible outcomes for students across the island, and ensure efficient use of public funds.

I’ve long called for greater investment in Early Years and childcare, which is underfunded in Guernsey. This is vital not only for children’s development but also for boosting workforce participation. 

We also need more focus on skilled trades, apprenticeships, digital education, and policies that support our hardworking teachers to thrive.

Public Finances

• Make our tax system fairer and more efficient
• Protect essential services while investing wisely
• Promote innovation and productivity

We are in an era of global economic uncertainty, and Guernsey is under real fiscal pressure thanks to our growing dependency ratio and imbalanced tax base. We must fund key services like housing, health and education, but do so responsibly, recognising the strain already on working people, pensioners and businesses. 

To keep our community strong, Guernsey must become more affordable and aspirational for younger generations whilst recognising the valuable role of older people, or we risk hollowing out our economy. I’ll continue advocating for strategic, evidence-based decisions that prioritise long-term sustainability, innovation, and economic productivity.

People & Environment

• Protect Guernsey’s natural environment and biodiversity
• Support fairness, inclusion and strong communities
• Embed sustainability across government decisions

Guernsey needs to work for people and nature alike. I have always promoted practical policies that promote wellbeing, fairness and a healthier environment.

Sustainability makes sound economic sense, and it also means future generations can prosper. That means thinking long term, adapting to the changing climate, harnessing clean energy, reducing waste and pollution, safeguarding nature and access to green spaces, and building policies that are both socially and environmentally responsible. 

Guernsey is unique. I want to protect what makes it special while making life better for the people who live here. I’ll keep pushing for joined up, future-facing decisions that do just that.

How I work

Colleagues from across the political spectrum often describe me as one of the hardest-working deputies, and I’m proud to have built a strong track record of collaborative working, within the States and across industry and the community as well. 

I believe that good policy comes from bringing people together, listening to a range of views, and making evidence-based decisions with the long term in mind.

I’ve built good links with counterparts in the UK, France, Jersey and the Isle of Man – relationships that help Guernsey have a voice internationally.

I take my responsibilities in government very seriously: I have never missed so much as a single vote in any States meeting. 

As an independent candidate, I will continue to make decisions based solely on what is in the best interests of the people of Guernsey.

I show up, I do the work, and I care deeply about getting things right – not just for today, but for future generations.

Roles Held 2020-2025:

• President of the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure
• Vice-President of the Committee for Employment & Social Security
• Member of the Civil Contingencies Authority
• Member of the Housing Forum
• Member of the Political Oversight Group for the Guernsey Development Agency
• Member of the Offshore Wind Sub-Committee
• Member of the SEND Alliance Political Oversight Group

Thank you for taking the time to read my manifesto.