Forward Guernsey political party launches

A new political party Forward Guernsey has been launched ahead of the general election in June.

The party will adopt the entire manifesto published by Future Guernsey, which has been dubbed a political movement by the group itself.

The four candidates are Rhona Humphreys, Tom Rylatt, Ryan Courtney and Gavin St Pier, a current deputy and leader of the party.

Mark Le Page, the party's secretary, said: "We have come together to form a party because we think this is the best way to offer manifesto clarity and accountability to voters."

Deputy St Pier had been the political advisor for Future Guernsey which recently launched its manifesto.

It said the government had a duty to support and enable economic growth and the island "needs long-term solutions, not short-term fixes to work towards the future Guernsey deserves"

It believes its self-proclaimed ambitious manifesto "must be at the heart of everything our government does".

St Pier said: "I resigned my role as political adviser to Future Guernsey at the end of March.

"After the launch of their manifesto my role was complete and it would not have been appropriate to continue, knowing that I intend to seek nomination as a candidate in the election."

Forward Guernsey is inviting other potential candidates to join it through an application.

People wishing to apply will have to submit an application form, supply their CV, declare their interests and any prior convictions as well as provide a DBS/police check.

Shortlisted candidates will then be interviewed by a panel who will decide whether or not to recommend to the party they be accepted as candidates.

Ryan Courtney, who has pledged to stand as a candidate for the first time in June, said the process was "robust and testing", which he described as "entirely appropriate given the role we are asking the voters to elect us to do".

The party is holding an open evening for potential candidates interested in joining the party from 18:30 BST at Les Cotils on 15 May.

No political parties are currently formally registered in Guernsey - a process which involves supplying a constitution, the names of officials and other paperwork that is required to endorse candidates in the election on 18 June.

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