States of Guernsey

History

The legislature derives its name from the estates (French: états) of the Crown, the Church and the people from whom the assembly was originally summoned. The Jurats, representing the Crown, and the representatives of the Church of England were replaced in the constitutional reforms following the Second World War, when the office of Conseiller was introduced.

Until 2000, there were 33 Deputies elected with three year mandates, and 12 Conseillers representing the Bailiwick, serving terms of six years, with half being elected every three. The Conseillers were not originally directly elected by the people (although latterly directly elected by Bailiwick-wide vote), and the office was abolished before the General Election held that year. The 10 Douzaine representatives (representing parish authorities) were removed from the States in the 2004 constitutional reform and the total of elected deputies rose to the 45 total. In 2016 the number of deputies was reduced to 38.

Following a 2018 referendum, the whole island now forms a single constituency, rather than voting for separate parishes previously, returning 38 members by plurality-at-large voting, beginning with the 2020 election.

Firsts

First female member of the States

• Marie Randall

First female Chief Minister of Guernsey

• Lindsay de Sausmarez

First female Deputy Chief Minister of Guernsey

• Heidi Soulsby

Composition

The States of Deliberation consists of 38 People's Deputies, elected every four years from a single island-wide constituency by plurality-at-large voting, each voter being allowed to cast up to 38 votes. Before the 2020 election, the electoral system was multi-member districts by plurality block voting, in which each voter can vote for as many candidates as there are seats in the district. Two Alderney Deputies are appointed by the States of Alderney to represent Alderney's interest in matters delegated by Alderney to Guernsey under the 1948 Agreement. The Alderney Representatives are full members of the States of Deliberation, and are chosen from the 10 members of the States of Alderney after an Alderney-wide plebiscite.

There are also two non-voting members being the Law Officers of the Crown - the Procureur (Attorney General) and the Comptroller (Solicitor General) both appointed by the monarch. The Bailiff presides over the States.

Committee system

Guernsey's government operates on a committee system. A similar system used to be used in the neighbouring bailiwick, Jersey; however, this was abolished and replaced with a ministerial government in 2005.

The Senior Committee is known as the Policy & Resources Committee. It is the leading body and in charge of co-ordination of policy and other States work. It oversees the functioning of the States and also has responsibilities for external affairs. The President of the Committee is often termed "Chief Minister" by the local media, as they are perceived to represent the island's government, especially abroad. They are elected by States Members and hold a term of office expiring at the next general election. The next election will be in June 2025.

The remaining Principal Committees are listed below:

The remaining committees, all chaired by States Members, are the Development and Planning Authority, Transport Licensing Authority, Overseas Aid & Development Commission, States' Trading Supervisory Board, States Assembly & Constitution Committee, Scrutiny Management Committee and the Civil Contingencies Authority.

Recent elections

The last general election was on 18 June 2025.

• 2025 results
• 2020 results
• 2016 results
• 2012 results
• 2008 results

Current deputies and representatives

Constitution of the States of Deliberation : Deputies

• Lindsay De Sausmarez
• Yvonne Burford
• Charles Parkinson
• Steve Falla
• Paul Montague
• Sasha Kazantseva-Miller
• Gavin St Pier
• Tina Bury
• Jonathan Le Tocq
• Chris Blin
• George Oswald
• Marc Laine
• Aidan Matthews
• Marc Leadbeater
• Andy Cameron
• Sally Rochester
• Adrian Gabriel
• Lee Van Katwyk
• Liam McKenna
• Mark Helyar
• Steve Williams
• John Gollop
• David Goy
• Tom Rylatt
• Jennifer Strachan
• Simon Vermeulen
• Munazza Malik
• Jayne Ozanne
• Andy Sloan
• Bruno Kay-Mouat
• Haley Camp
• Garry Collins
• Andrew Niles
• Rob Curgenven
• Neil Inder
• David Dorrity
• Rhona Humphreys
• Sarah Hansmann Rouxel Alderney representatives
• Steve Roberts
• Alex Snowdon

References

References

1. . (2019-03-27). ["Committee Responsibilities"](https://www.gov.gg/committees).
2. (17 January 2011). "Guernsey election change 'has to be easy'". BBC.
3. (29 September 2015). "Guernsey by-election approved despite concerns". BBC.
4. (2023-11-21). "Guernsey's first female deputy to receive a blue plaque".
5. (1 July 2025). "De Sausmarez becomes first female chief minister".
6. (21 October 2020). "Soulsby makes history as first female Deputy Chief Minister".
7. (2017-04-05). "About Jersey".
8. (2020-10-16). "Deputy Peter Ferbrache elected as Guernsey's new Chief Minister".
9. "Elections & Electoral Roll".
10. (1 July 2025). "Lindsay de Sausmarez elected as president of Policy & Resources". Guernsey Press.
11. (4 July 2025). "States elects new line-up of committee presidents". Guernsey Press.
12. "Constitution of the States of Deliberation and Committee Responsibilities".
13. "Your Deputies".
14. (19 June 2025). "Guernsey General Election 2025: Results".
15. "Alderney Representatives".