Results from The Big Questions Survey 2025 on Issues, Politics and Representation have been published.
The responses reveal a growing disconnect between residents and political institutions across Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man – though most still report a strong sense of quality of life.
The online survey, conducted by Island Global Research (IGR) and open to islanders aged 16 and over, was carried out from 14 to 31 March 2025. A total of 2,695 residents responded: 1,140 from Guernsey, 601 from Jersey and 954 from the Isle of Man. The initiative aimed to understand public attitudes towards key societal issues, levels of trust in institutions, and how well residents feel represented by political leaders.
Disillusionment with politics
A clear pattern of political dissatisfaction emerged across all three islands:
- Over 70% of respondents in each jurisdiction believe their island is heading in the wrong direction.
- A majority feel they have little or no influence on local decision-making.
- Fewer than 1 in 5 say elected representatives reflect their views and values.
In the Isle of Man, this disconnection was particularly pronounced, with 61% saying they have no influence at all in decisions, and 36% feeling their views are not at all represented by politicians.
Despite this, political engagement remains relatively high. Around 58–59% of respondents in Guernsey and the Isle of Man, and 46% in Jersey, said they definitely will vote in their island’s next election.
What matters most to Islanders
When asked to identify the most pressing issues facing their islands today, responses varied by location:
- Guernsey residents placed overwhelming importance on housing, with 80% citing it as important and 68% naming it a top priority. Cost of living and infrastructure followed.
- Jersey respondents prioritised the cost of living (70%), hospital waiting lists, and affordable housing.
- In the Isle of Man, health care and hospital wait times were dominant, with 92% calling it important and 66% naming it their top priority. Infrastructure and cost of living also featured prominently.
Issues such as social care, economic growth, and education were consistently recognised across all islands as needing improvement.
Trust in institutions and values
The survey also explored views on fairness, responsibility, and public spending. There was notable support for both increased equality and personal responsibility, highlighting ideological diversity across age groups and political views.
There was limited trust in decision-makers, but residents were highly engaged: large majorities said they follow both local and global news, and most respondents expressed nuanced views on economic policy and social welfare.
A strong sense of Quality of Life
Despite political discontent, the islands remain attractive places to live in the eyes of many residents:
- Over 70% of respondents rated their quality of life as 6 out of 10 or higher.
- More than two-thirds believe life on their island is better than in the UK.
Older residents and those who identified with the political right were more likely to report higher satisfaction.
