Tag Archives: States of Guernsey

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March 15, 2012

Gearing up for an election

Guernsey is preparing to head to the polls to choose their next 45 deputies and indications are that this could be the States’ first ‘social media’ election. This shift could help to engage younger voters in the political process and change the way politicians communicate with the public.


Young people and politics in Guernsey enjoy an uneasy relationship for many different reasons. These issues aren’t unique to Guernsey as democracies throughout the world are struggling to engage with young people. However there are several factors unique to island politics that create barriers to participation. Despite these underlying structural political issues, there is also cause for optimism.


March 22, 2010

Cabs and prawn sandwiches: What is the acceptable face of political lobbying?

Cab for Hire MP Stephen Byers graced this week’s  Sunday papers after allegedly offering lobbying services to under cover reporters for £5k per day.


Simultaneously, on the BBC Guernsey phone-in, concerns were voiced that Suez Environnement were offering members of the States of Guernsey an invitation to lunch as part of an 11th hour briefing before Wednesday’s latest “incinerator” debate.


With calls in the UK for a statutory register of lobbying activity, it seems that the new row is all set to be a pre-election sequel to MPs expenses.


March 2, 2010

The bunker mentality of public sector PR…

The use of PR professionals, both in house and agency, by the States of Guernsey has come in for a great deal of scrutiny of late. Today’s Guernsey Press business page adds yet more comment to the debate courtesy of James Falla, ex Treasury and Resources comms director.


Perhaps reading between the lines there is a bit of criticism here for the way Deputies and civil servants have engaged with the media over recent years. It is all too easy for beleaguered Deputies to develop a bunker mentality towards the media: ‘they’re all out to get me’ is a refrain we hear all too often.