It doesn’t have to be this way – making Guernsey politics work better

Women in Public Life is hosting an event to explore how Guernsey politics could work better.

The event is titled ‘It doesn’t have to be this way’ and is on 12 June at the Centre for Performing Arts.

The guest speaker is Jennifer Nadel, award-winning journalist and co-founder of UK cross-party group ‘Compassion in Politics’. Jennifer will be joined for audience questions by Deputies Heidi Soulsby and Andrea Dudley-Owen and governance specialist, Perrin Carey.

Chair of Women in Public Life, Shelaine Green, said: “Our island’s political system is based on consensus but there’s been less and less evidence of this in the States over recent years.

“Sometimes we wonder whether States members realise the impact of their words and actions on those watching from the outside, especially on anyone who may be considering standing themselves. We run a very active WhatsApp group for women who follow Guernsey politics. Members react strongly to examples of tribal division or the disrespectful behaviour on show at times, commenting that it wouldn’t be allowed in their workplace. They’ve inspired this event.

“Guernsey faces unprecedented challenges and we all need to be working together to solve them. With just two years to go until the next election, it’s time to start a debate about how our politics could work better.

“We’re really looking forward to hearing thoughts and ideas from Jennifer, our panel and the audience. One thing is for sure – it doesn’t have to be this way.”

Guest speaker Jennifer Nadel is the co-founder of Compassion in Politics, a cross-party organisation that works to put compassion, inclusion and co-operation at the heart of politics, and executive chair of the Global Compassion Coalition. She trained as a barrister and is an author, political strategist, activist and award-winning TV journalist.

Jennifer added: “The planet is warming, our population is ageing, and the cost of living is escalating. None of these problems can be resolved when politicians are so divided. I’m looking forward to sharing some of the cross-party work we are doing in the UK to get politics back to the reason most people stand for election – making their community a better place.”

Compassion in Politics supporters include a prestigious academic advisory board, public figures such as the actor Gillian Anderson and the Bishop of Durham, and more than 50 MPs from all the main parties. Jackie Weaver, who is patron of Women in Public Life, is a Compassion in Politics ambassador.