Alderney politicians 'should be more transparent'

Alderney politicians say they are looking to the future positively despite the resignation of two of senior politicians and the unexpected departure of the chief executive last month.

States members rejected the idea there was instability in the island's government.

New member Edward Hill said "people wanted change" and a more "transparent" government.

Alderney's first political challenge of 2025 will come this week when Guernsey announces how much money it can dedicate to refurbishing the island's runway.

Hill was elected in November when five out of 10 position in the States were contested, topping the poll with 569 votes.

He said reducing the number of States members was something he wanted to do anyway.

Hill said his aim was to increase "transparency" as he believed data protection rules meant politicians could not share as much information as they should with taxpayers.

"There's a disconnect between the public and the government in Alderney," Hill said.

"There's feeling that politicians aren't transparent and aren't answering questions. I think people wanted a change."

Hill's fellow Guernsey representative Alex Snowdon said the movement in Alderney's senior government was an opportunity for residents to use their vote and make a difference in challenging times.

"I think the politics at the moment is extremely difficult," Snowdon said.

"With the runway and fares going up, there's a lot of uncertainty. However, that should be seen as a positive.

"Members can push for the direction of travel they'd really like to see the Bailiwick move towards."

Snowdon made a stand at the States first meeting of 2025 when he publicly rejected joining the policy and finance committee, saying he wanted to make politicians think about having more debates in the public chamber, rather than "behind closed doors".

Andrew Eggleston, chair of Alderney's Chamber of Commerce, said to solve problems like the island's runway, there would need to be political cohesion.

"We have 10 States members firing off in 10 different directions. They aren't working as one group - and that's the all-important thing on an island of this size."

The island's president, William Tate, said the role of a politician was "not easy, and easy to criticise".

"The problem here is, because we're such a small community, you are 'on' all the time. So you go to the shops and people will ask you questions.

"Everybody that stands does it because they want to improve the island and the lives of the people who live here."