Sam Haskins

Manifesto

What do I stand for in a nutshell?

The long-term fiscal and social sustainability and stability of the island.

Core Values:

In our current system, each deputy has one vote. We all have ideas and opinions, we all want to try and change the tanker around in the best way we think. There will be many issues not mentioned in this manifesto, and multiple solutions. For these, I will vote and act according to my core values:

• Integrity and accountability: To vote for what I truly believe is right for Guernsey regardless of a vocal minority. To act transparently, uphold ethical standards and work to ensure the government is accountable at all levels.
• Sustainability: Act in a way that ensures future generations are always in mind- this includes immigration, energy, tax and our economy.
• Fairness: Act in a way that is fair, reasonable, logical and proportionate.
• Opportunity: We face many challenges, I will always seek for the opportunities that lie ahead, especially those that can help people achieve their potential.
• Value for money: Solutions cost money, but not all spending delivers the same return. I'll keep backing priorities that off best value for money-real results, responsible budgets and long term benefits for our community.
• Collaboration: Too much is polarised, and too little is about listening. I’ll seek common ground where possible—and when a clear choice is needed, I’ll decide based on my core values.

Future plans, vision & policies

I support looking towards Guernseys long term future and considering the bigger picture. There are many things to try and solve in the next term. As I say, one of the things I stand for is fixing the root cause of the problem, not just the symptom. If you are driving a car on a road of nails you don’t just change the tyre when you get a puncture-you clear the nails.

Balanced Accounts:

A priority must be balancing the books. Inaction will result in our reserves being depleted in seven years. We don’t have the luxury of procrastinating and trying to find the ever elusive silver bullet. We should keep in mind that increases in tax have a wider impact on the economy and disposable income.

• Tax: Without a viable alternative that is as progressive as the GST+ package, then we should implement the package already voted in by the assembly as soon as we can. It makes 60% of households better off. The later we leave it the harder and costlier it will be.
• Savings: We should be seeking to cut waste and make savings. I have been serious about savings and have voted for them many times.
• Reform: Some of the biggest savings come from government wide changes such as: removing non essential overtime, removing the use of travel agencies and non-local recruitment agencies, introducing internal captive insurance schemes, and ‘new-to-the island’ compulsory health insurance.

Economy & AI:

The world is getting tougher, and our finance sector remains vital. We must support it wherever we can—while also diversifying. Here are key steps I believe we should take to strengthen and future-proof our economy:

• Travel: We need a reliable and affordable airline (and ferry). This should be a priority. Our life line
links are exactly that, but also economic enablers or disablers. Regular, reliable and cheap travel to Jersey could help with the affordability, whilst maintaining route options. It would help both islands, as often a limiting factor for us is scale.
• Diversification: Entrepreneurs and new ventures and opportunities should be supported, it can mitigate against shocks from any sector, one way would be offering tax incentives/support during the set-up period.
• Skills + Education: Artificial intelligence is transforming the economy. We should facilitate it’s integration in our schools and create affordable, on-island training through partnerships with businesses, incentivised by tax deductions. Upskilling our workforce is key to driving innovation, boosting productivity, and securing long-term economic growth.

Birth Rate & demographics

We have a declining birth rate, and a changing demographic. When looking at the long term sustainability for our island, we need to address this. Here are some of the things I believe will help our local and young people to stay on island whilst making sure we can cope with changing demands:

• Early years strategy: There is a need for an early years strategy, and a family services review in conjunction with the primary review that seeks to address ways to help current and future parents. It could include wrap around care, a change to the system for pre-school hours, perhaps offering cash alternatives.
• Housing: a ‘must address’ issue. There is not enough affordable housing on the island. Building more houses often means losing green space; we should facilitate and prioritise development of brownfield sites to be re-developed. I led an amendment to have the first £10k tax free from having 2 lodgers to help with the cost of living crisis whilst increasing rooms on island.
• Healthcare Model: currently our health costs are rising more and more each year, without a sensible, affordable plan going forward this is unsustainable. I will support the review into primary care, and work towards the universal offer that all islanders can all expect.

Government & Procedure:

Our consensus system has its challenges—too often, key issues are revisited and delayed. Those delays aren’t just frustrating; they’ve cost us millions. We need a more decisive, accountable approach.

I support reviewing and streamlining our machinery of government. I’ll also push to reform procedures so decisions are based on evidence and impartial financial analysis—not politics.

• I’ll push to reform rules so the financial impact of amendments and proposals is clear before any vote. Deputies should make decisions based on full, transparent information.
• Recent changes to spending rules don’t go far enough to meet public expectations. I’ll push for clearer, stronger rules to ensure fairness, transparency, and trust in our elections.
• Speech limits are now part of our proceedings, but their use remains at the discretion of the presiding officer. On major issues, every side deserves a full and fair hearing. To strengthen democracy and decision-making, this rule must be clarified and applied consistently, not selectively.
• Currently, deputies are often left to scrutinise their own work. That’s not good enough. Independent scrutiny would make decision-making more transparent, strengthen public trust, and help us dig deeper into the issues that matter. It could also lead to significant savings for taxpayers by catching problems earlier.

Being Better:

I have worked hard this last term, and promise to continue to do my best for you all should I be elected. Self reflection is a powerful tool- I have learned many things, here are some things that i would do differently:

• Be more active in our third sector and charities through voluntary work.
• Offer an alternative outlet to traditional media by way of a YouTube channel, and increasing social media presence.
• Work closer with colleagues, from ‘across the isle’, especially when forming amendments.

If my values align with yours, please vote for Sam Haskins.

Proposer: Deputy Peter Ferbrache
Seconder: Deputy Mark Helyar