Tom Rylatt

Manifesto

I want to bring a fresh perspective to the States - as someone who has a deeply personal stake in Guernsey’s biggest challenges - like housing, the rental market, our neglected infrastructure and how our finance-centred economy will adapt in an era of AI and rapid technological innovation.

While I have been fortunate enough to return, many of my generation are leaving Guernsey because they feel there is no other choice. I am standing to help make Guernsey a place where all of our young people have the opportunity to build their futures.

MY MUSTS: 

1. Deputies must be able to disagree agreeably - personality politics cannot get in the way of Guernsey’s best interests any longer.
   
   
2. Guernsey must invest in its future. Long-term economic growth will only be achieved by consistent and considered investment in our infrastructure.
   
   
3. To do this, we must create a fairer and more sustainable tax system, one that ensures business and high net worth individuals pay their fair share before a consumption tax (such as GST) is imposed on islanders.

 

KEEPING OUR NEXT GENERATIONS ON-ISLAND

Swathes of young people are leaving Guernsey, brought about by the cost of housing, a shrinking rental market and the States’ chronic under investment in our island. Unless we reverse this trend, Guernsey will suffer a long term economic and social decline. I will therefore support:

 

1. Backing first time buyers by implementing the ‘Additional Earned Allowance’. This will allow all over 16 year-olds to save up to £20,000 in tax on the first £100,000 of their taxable earnings before the age of 30. The allowance would go towards either a house deposit or eligible pension scheme.
   
   
2. Stabilising the rental market. By introducing incentives that increase the supply of rental properties and set out clear rights for landlords and tenants.
   
   
3. Reforming our university grant system to incentivise young people to bring their skills back home.
   
   
4. Expanding the range of locally available post-18 qualifications through The Guernsey Institute.
   
   
5. I commit to meeting with the students of our schools and colleges every 2-3 months to ensure the next generation‘s voice is always heard by and represented in the States.

 

REBUILDING TRUST IN THE STATES 

Trust between the States and the islanders it serves has broken down. Without trust, government cannot deliver. The States needs to earn it back. I will therefore support:

1. Enacting a freedom of information law. Giving islanders a right to know what our government does and how it spends our money.
   
   
2. Visually broadcasting and livestreaming States debates. To improve transparency, incentivise better conduct, and open up the democratic process to a new audience.
   
   
3. Implementing a five-term limit for deputies. The role of deputy should be a calling, not a career. Term limits would create a focused, fresher and more effective States.
   
   
4. Consistent and substantive engagement with the community through surgeries, public drop-ins and town hall meetings. To help restore the connection between deputies and individual islanders that previously existed under the old district voting system.

 

‘OUR PLAN FOR GUERNSEY: 2025-29 AND BEYOND’ 

All Forward Guernsey candidates are supporting the manifesto ‘Our Plan for Guernsey: 2025-29 and beyond’. This is the most ambitious vision and detailed manifesto ever prepared ahead of an election in Guernsey. 

Here are just a few of our key policies in each area:

 

TACKLING THE HOUSING CRISIS 

 

• An ‘Additional Earned Allowance’ for all over 16 year-olds on the first £100,000 of their taxable earnings before the age of 30, saving up to £20,000 in tax to go towards a house deposit or eligible pension scheme.
  
  
• Empowering developers to build more affordable houses for first-time buyers by creating a new ‘intermediate’ category of affordable housing (by using planning covenants to lock-in a 30% discount on market value).
  
  
• Increasing the capacity of the building sector by growing our own local talent, for example by pioneering the ‘Design, Engineer, Construct’ pathway in local secondary schools, enabling young people to enter the construction industry.
  
  
• Ending homelessness by providing emergency housing and creating clear pathways out of homelessness. 

 

STRENGTHENING GUERNSEY’S ECONOMY FOR EVERYONE

• Investing to ensure reliable and affordable inter-island and UK sea and air connectivity.
  
  
• Enabling islanders returning to Guernsey to work in public services with a ‘Welcome Home’ relocation package equal to that for non-locals.
  
  
• Allowing private investment and expertise in public infrastructure projects, such as the Guernsey Development Agency’s plans for the redevelopment of the St Sampson’s Harbour area, delivering these projects faster and more cost-effectively.

 

HARNESSING OUR CLIMATE TRANSITION 

 

• Accelerating the completion of an offshore wind farm, that will also generate new revenues, improve energy security, create high paying jobs and deliver cheaper energy.
  
  
• Investment in green skills and training to ensure that the whole community benefits from a net zero future. 
  
  
• Using natural solutions like coastal defences and flood protection to mitigate the impact of climate change on the island.

 

CREATING A FAIRER TAX SYSTEM & BALANCING THE BOOKS - IN 6 STEPS 

 

• STEP 1. Strengthening Guernsey’s economy for everyone (see previous page).
  
  
• STEP 2. Delivering more efficient public services, including an annual 1% reduction in baseline spending, saving £25 million each year by 2029. 
  
  
• STEP 3. Sensible and sustainable public investment by reviewing the capital programme (within 3 months) to prioritise it, so that cashflow, funding requirements and timeframes can be properly managed.
  
  
• STEP 4. Fixing our broken tax administration, including removing the requirement to file income tax returns for the majority of taxpayers whose earnings have already been taxed at source. 
  
  
• STEP 5. Improving corporate taxes, including working with Jersey to increase the zero/ten rate of tax to zero/fifteen and fairly taxing personal investment holding companies.
  
  
• STEP. 6 Wholesale tax reform to create a fairer tax system for low and middle earners, (including the Additional Earned Allowance and a Guernsey Property Savings Account).

 

HEALTHCARE: FASTER ACCESS, FEWER BARRIERS

• Making mental health a priority by appointing a political lead as Mental Health Champion to work across government and with the charity sector.
  
  
• Focusing on key issues that matter to the community, such as the cost and accessibility of repeat prescriptions for long-term health conditions.
  
  
• Focus on retaining local staff by ensuring they feel appreciated, supported, and properly remunerated.

 

EDUCATION AND SKILLS FOR ALL ISLANDERS 

• Fast-tracking the primary review to improve standards, ease teacher workloads, and streamline the system. This will also free up funds to invest in other priorities such as special educational needs and improving maths outcomes.
  
  
• As new technologies, such as AI, change our world, we need a responsive education system that enables everyone to continue learning by introducing opportunities to help adults upskill. While also ensuring our Population Management policy is linked to remaining skills gaps.
  
  
• Investing in pastoral staff to provide prompt support to students when needed, enabling teachers to teach and benefitting all students.

A suite of policies built by locals. We recognise that policy is more important than personality and that we can be more effective working as a team than on our own. For the full manifesto visit: www.forwardguernsey.org

 

REFERENCES: 

"I’ll admit, at first I wondered whether someone just 25 could be ready for public office. But over time, I’ve come to know Tom Rylatt as a young man with strong values, real maturity, and a deep sense of public service. He is a thoughtful team player who listens carefully, learns quickly, and leads with integrity. In a time when trust in politics is fragile, Tom offers a principled, forward-looking voice—and I believe he will represent his generation, and all of us, with care and conviction."

Chris Atkinson, Former Microsoft Vice President (Proposer) 

 

"Tom brought fresh ideas and energy to my business, playing a central role in its expansion and development. He has drive, ability and vision, which are rare for someone his age. In addition, Tom demonstrates a strong work ethic and a commitment to integrity. All these qualities should make him a valuable addition to the States."

Daniel Sokol, Barrister, 12 King's Bench Walk