Nick Moakes

Personal Statement

I spent 25 years working for some of the world’s leading Financial Services companies. An analytical and creative thinker, I have strong financial and commercial skills together with a proven track record of building consensus and working across highly matrixed organisations. I am married with two children. I am passionate about Guernsey and spent time studying the island’s economy and demographics before launching Unlock Guernsey’s Potential, earlier this year.

• A more effective and accountable States. Better decisions, more accountability.
• The Economy. Focus on rebuilding the economy.
• Infrastructure and Connectivity. Enable Guernsey to compete with other jurisdictions.
• Education. 3 schools and 1 Sixth Form College.
• Health and Social Care. To provide care for all islanders.

Manifesto

A more effective and accountable States

Deputies have let islanders down, over the last term. Bad decisions and bad behaviours have resulted in money being wasted, infrastructure falling into disrepair and, ultimately, people losing faith in politicians. I want to see a smaller, more efficient government that spends money wisely, eliminates waste, prioritises front line services and listens to the people of Guernsey.
I support new legislation that will make deputies more accountable, not only for their decisions but also for their actions and behaviours. A new code of conduct should be backed up by an independent panel that can set up enquiries, demand to see evidence and take action where appropriate.

The Economy

I want to see a government that helps businesses by removing unnecessary regulation, bureaucracy and red-tape. This will help existing companies to grow and encourage people to expand or start up new companies on the island. In this way, we will create new jobs, boost spending in the local economy and generate additional government income (tax) without actually needing to raise taxes. Raising taxes will destroy Guernsey’s hard-won reputation as a low tax economy and take money out of people’s pockets when local businesses need it more than ever. If I am elected, my number one priority will be rebuilding the economy and to do this I will work closely with local businesses to understand what the government can do better to support them.

Infrastructure

Historically, Guernsey’s success has been due to its ability to adapt to economic / political changes affecting its larger neighbours. We need to rediscover that entrepreneurial spirit and continue to innovate. To maintain / extend our links to the outside world, we need high-speed broadband, a longer runway and our main harbour needs updating. We also need an ongoing maintenance programme to repair existing infrastructure so that it does not fall into disrepair. But, most of all we need Deputies to stop ‘reviewing’ (delaying) projects and get on with investing in Guernsey’s future.

Connectivity

It is essential that Guernsey has efficient air and sea links so that people and goods can move freely on and off the island. What we have today are unreliable and expensive services to a limited number of destinations. This is unsustainable. We need politicians who understand that until the island has reliable and competitively priced connections, families and businesses will suffer and our tourism industry will continue to decline. If elected, I will work with key stakeholders to find ways of providing cost effective and reliable air / sea links. This will be part of a wider programme linked to the infrastructure projects outlined above.

Education

Guernsey’s future depends upon how well its children are educated. I want children to leave school with skills that enable them to enjoy careers across a wide range of employment sectors. I believe that a three-school model is the right model for Guernsey and Covid-19 has reinforced this position as it means that children will not be squeezed into two huge schools. Further thought needs to be given to the location of the 6th form college but I believe that this should be on one site.

Housing

No one wants to see Guernsey covered in concrete so we need to relook at the what housing stock will be needed in the future and plan accordingly. I want to see a review of our housing stock together with a demographic analysis that shows us what the population will look like in the future. This will enable us to provide the right kind of housing. I would also like to change planning guidelines so that empty property can be repurposed. Unused buildings could then be turned into accommodation instead of simply building new flats and houses whilst existing buildings fall into disrepair.

Health and Social Care

The physical and mental health of Guernsey’s residents is of paramount importance. Our health professionals have demonstrated, throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, how committed they are to looking after the welfare of islanders. It is, therefore, only right that the government provides our health service with the resources that it needs to look after us
in normal times as well as in emergencies.
I support investment in our health service and want to ensure that we can look after everyone, particularly our ageing population and our most vulnerable residents to whom we owe a duty of care.

Environment

Guernsey might be small but it is important that we do all we can to lower harmful emissions as part of a Global effort to tackle climate change. I would like to make more of Guernsey’s location, which is ideal for generating Green / Blue energy. If elected, I will support Green / Blue initiatives that make Guernsey greener without damaging our economy or our local environment. I support development / investment in wind, wave and solar power generation because this will make us less reliant on imported electricity / fossil fuels and could be a source of income in the future.

Parish Responsibilities

Island wide voting should not mean that politicians divest their responsibilities to the Parishes. Whist it is important that deputies focus on issues that affect the island in general, I do not want deputies to lose sight of what is happening in their local parishes. I live in St Peter Port so, if elected, as well as representing Guernsey in general, I will also make time to represent the people and businesses in my parish.