Yvonne Burford

Manifesto

I’m delighted to be standing for election, motivated by a love for our island. I want Guernsey to be a place where everyone, especially our children, can see a future for themselves. That means affordable homes, good public services and healthcare, a cherished natural environment, education that inspires, and a strong and sustainable economy.

Our community embraces different opinions, but still pulls together when it matters. The next Assembly needs to reflect that spirit, with deputies working together without division or self-interest. That’s the only way we’ll achieve our goals.

I’m not a single-issue candidate. My background covers economic, environmental, social and political matters. I’m open-minded and always ready to listen to new ideas and evidence from our community. My track record in the States shows I tackle challenges with energy and diligence, resulting in positive outcomes. I believe in a government that is transparent, responsive, and focused on working for you. If what I stand for resonates, I’d be truly grateful for one of your 38 votes. Let’s work together to make Guernsey the best it can be – for everyone!

 

I’m a fully independent candidate

I am not a member of any political party, charter or coalition. Therefore, my votes will always be based on evidence and feedback from our community, not on allegiances to any group.

 

Education

Education was the top issue in 2020 with the Pause and Review, but after the election the review was dropped, and a majority of the States approved an expensive four-building model. Four years on, this has resulted in our Sixth Form students being housed indefinitely at La Mare from this September. I didn’t vote for this, but I don’t think we should make further big changes now - our children and teachers have had enough disruption. However, as there’s no funding for the planned new Sixth Form Centre at Les Ozouets, and predicted costs have soared, serious consideration must now be given instead to moving back to the existing Sixth Form Centre, suitably expanded, at Les Varendes. This would give our sixth formers more subject choices and save money, which could then go towards improved attainment in core subjects throughout Education, as well as supporting our teachers. I believe schools should have significantly more independence – I seconded an amendment to do just that but at the time the Assembly didn’t agree. Promoting and supporting lifelong learning and skills development is also key to helping islanders adapt to a changing economy.

 

Housing and Population

Housing and population go hand in hand. Recent relaxations in population policy have made it even harder for local residents, especially young people, to afford homes - whether buying or renting. We need much smarter population policies that balance the needs of islanders with welcoming truly essential workers who we can’t recruit locally. If we don’t manage this situation, we risk a permanent housing crisis and people feeling forced to leave. Thankfully, several affordable housing sites are about to come online with more in the pipeline. The Guernsey Housing Plan addresses many additional ways of improving matters, such as removing barriers to downsizing, but we can’t take our eye off the ball. The emphasis now should be on getting States-owned sites moving, either directly, with partners, or through the GHA. We should also consider compulsory purchase of selected disused hotels if they’re not developed within a certain time.

 

My CV

• Education: Born in Guernsey and educated at the Grammar School for Girls.
• Employment: 10 years in local finance; 25 years flying, including as BA 737 Captain and Trislander pilot.
• Voluntary work: Awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for Voluntary Service. Roles have included Airsearch Pilot, Director for Safer and the Women’s Refuge, and President of La Société Guernesiaise. 
• Qualifications: Institute of Directors’ Certificate in Company Direction. Master’s degree in Renewable Energy.
• Experience: People’s Deputy for the West 2012-16 and Island-Wide 2020-25 as President of Scrutiny.
• Skills: Pragmatic, practical, analytical, and ready to get to work for Guernsey.

 

Capital Spending and Borrowing

The Scrutiny review I led into the States’ IT contract with Agilisys laid bare real problems with how big projects are managed. Add to that, the rising cost of the hospital modernisation and Alderney runway, and it’s clear we need to manage large capital projects much better. If elected, I’d like to work on Policy & Resources to make sure we have the right resources and skills in place. We can’t keep wasting money by doing the same work twice. Growing up here, with parents who lived through the war, I learned the value of living within your means and not being wasteful - lessons I’d take into the States. I would, however, agree to borrowing for projects that generate income and support the economy, such as building affordable homes for rent or partial ownership, where the rental income will cover the borrowing costs.

 

The Economy

A thriving economy is vital. Making efficiencies and savings in our public sector should be a continual process, including listening to frontline staff - they often know best where savings and improvements can be made. Even with savings, we’ll still need to raise money for healthcare, infrastructure investment, and rebuilding our rainy-day fund, which are the three things driving the deficit. My voting record shows that I always support those who are less well-off. There’ll be lots of tax ideas at this election, some better thought through than others, but my promise to you is simple: I’ll only back fair tax changes that protect or improve things for low and middle earners, who are already under pressure. Any system must have safeguards against future increases for these families, and the burden can’t just fall on individuals. We need to make sure any changes don’t hurt Guernsey’s competitiveness, and we must look at working with Jersey on mutually beneficial changes to corporate tax. 

 

My record on openness and transparency includes: 

• Leading the introduction of live video-streaming of Scrutiny Public Hearings. 

• Leading the introduction of an Independent Appeals Panel for Freedom of Information requests.

• Laying a successful amendment to include the new Development Agency under the Freedom of Information Code.

• Supporting introducing video streaming of States Meetings to make them more accessible to the community.

Only by being open and transparent and listening to islanders, can we build trust and make progress.

 

Volunteering and local charities

Guernsey’s charities and volunteers are the heartbeat of our island, tirelessly and selflessly supporting everything from youth programmes to elderly care, as well as our amazing environment. They strengthen our community and fill vital gaps with practical help, solutions and compassion. The States has an important role to play in supporting them and the work they do, particularly by committing to multi-year contracts that allow charities to plan ahead.

 

From my proposer and seconder:

“Yvonne cares strongly about Guernsey and all sections of our community. With her wide experience of life, she will bring insight and wisdom to all that she has to decide in the States.”   

Sir de Vic Carey, proposer.

“I am delighted that Yvonne is standing. She will be an asset to the new Assembly; please give her your support and your vote!”                   

Michelle le Clerc, seconder.

 

Health and Care

As a deputy, I have made progress by advocating for a greater move towards preventative care, by investment in early intervention and health improvement. The evidence is clear: without this we risk the level of healthcare we currently enjoy, which represents nearly 40% of the States budget, becoming simply unaffordable. If elected I will keep pressing for meaningful progress in this area for both physical and mental health issues. In part, this can be achieved by expanded partnerships with charities and community groups, recognising their vital role in early intervention and wellbeing. We must also work to create personal resilience in our community, which can be eroded by the culture and pressures of modern-day life. Funding for long-term care must be made sustainable, but I don’t support people having to sell their home to pay for their care.

 

The Environment

As a past president of La Société Guernesiaise, I keenly understand the importance of protecting our natural environment. In an earlier term, I successfully steered the Biodiversity Strategy through the States. I will continue to prioritise brown field development to protect our green and open spaces.

 

Arts, Culture and Sport

The Arts, Culture and Sport are essential parts of island life, adding to its vibrancy and sense of community. Guernsey culture and history is an integral part of who we are as a people. As a year-round swimmer I’m a strong advocate for our wonderful Victorian bathing pools. Sport is good for the body and soul. It plays an indispensable part in keeping health costs down, and in the social fabric of the island. As a potter in my spare time, I know the importance of the arts. A separate committee in the States for the Arts, Culture and Sport would help to give these important parts of island life the prominence and attention they deserve.

 

Finally…

This manifesto is just a snapshot. I know it’s a huge task to read through everything, but if you’d like more information - including my views on island-wide voting, the system of government, my previous achievements and much more, please visit my website. I’ll be out canvassing across all the parishes, but with 27,000 voters, I can only meet so many of you. I plan to be at all the candidate events, so if you’re there, please come up and say hello!