Heading in the wrong direction and no power to change it: Channel Islanders' views on key decisions
Channel Islanders feel their lives are getting worse and they do not have the power to change it, according to a new survey.
Two in three Jersey respondents believe their island is heading in the wrong direction, and none of the participants in Guernsey think politicians represent them "very well".
More than 1,700 people from across the Channel Islands were surveyed by Island Global Research (IGR) and asked to share their views on key societal issues, as well as the extent to which they trust institutions and organisations which deliver essential services.
What did the Jersey figures reveal?
Respondents were asked to choose the five issues facing the island that should be prioritised from a list of 20.
Seven in ten included the cost of living, while nearly half chose hospital waiting lists, and 43% highlighted the availability of affordable housing.
Of those surveyed, 68% believe things are heading in the wrong direction, and the majority feel they have little to no influence over decisions made.
Fewer than 20% of respondents believe those who have been elected represent their views and values either "quite well" or "very well".
Just 1% of islanders questioned believe they influence decisions that are made.
Moving on to voting intentions, 46% declared they will "definitely" cast their ballot in the next Jersey election, while 26% said they will "probably vote".
Fewer than 20% of respondents say the people who have been elected to make decisions in their island represent their views and values either "quite well" or "very well".
What did the Guernsey figures reveal?
Participants in Guernsey highlighted the top concerns for their island, picking out the five issues that should be focused on from a list of 20.
Affordable housing at 68% was the most common response, 61% included the cost of living, and 40% want more focus on improvements to infrastructure.
More than three-quarters of those surveyed believe the island is heading in the wrong direction and 54% feel they do not influence the decisions made.
Meanwhile, 56% said elected officials do not represent their views and values.
Looking at the high cost of living, 4% said they could not afford what they spend, and 30% can cover only the essentials.
However, more than half describe their financial situation as "comfortable" and 11% as "very comfortable".
Reacting to the report, Deputy Chief Minister Heidi Soulsby says: "It's disappointing to read that, but not surprising.
"I think there's a feeling of frustration that the States hasn't got very far and how it's acted and not made the important decisions."
Lindsay Jefferies, Managing Director of Island Global Research, adds: "Two-thirds considered quality of life in the Channel Islands as higher than it would be in the UK.
"So whilst there is a clear sense of frustration and things that people want to change, they also recognise that we have a good quality of life, so that is something encouraging coming out."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ITV News
29-05-2025
- ITV News
Heading in the wrong direction and no power to change it: Channel Islanders' views on key decisions
Channel Islanders feel their lives are getting worse and they do not have the power to change it, according to a new survey. Two in three Jersey respondents believe their island is heading in the wrong direction, and none of the participants in Guernsey think politicians represent them "very well". More than 1,700 people from across the Channel Islands were surveyed by Island Global Research (IGR) and asked to share their views on key societal issues, as well as the extent to which they trust institutions and organisations which deliver essential services. What did the Jersey figures reveal? Respondents were asked to choose the five issues facing the island that should be prioritised from a list of 20. Seven in ten included the cost of living, while nearly half chose hospital waiting lists, and 43% highlighted the availability of affordable housing. Of those surveyed, 68% believe things are heading in the wrong direction, and the majority feel they have little to no influence over decisions made. Fewer than 20% of respondents believe those who have been elected represent their views and values either "quite well" or "very well". Just 1% of islanders questioned believe they influence decisions that are made. Moving on to voting intentions, 46% declared they will "definitely" cast their ballot in the next Jersey election, while 26% said they will "probably vote". Fewer than 20% of respondents say the people who have been elected to make decisions in their island represent their views and values either "quite well" or "very well". What did the Guernsey figures reveal? Participants in Guernsey highlighted the top concerns for their island, picking out the five issues that should be focused on from a list of 20. Affordable housing at 68% was the most common response, 61% included the cost of living, and 40% want more focus on improvements to infrastructure. More than three-quarters of those surveyed believe the island is heading in the wrong direction and 54% feel they do not influence the decisions made. Meanwhile, 56% said elected officials do not represent their views and values. Looking at the high cost of living, 4% said they could not afford what they spend, and 30% can cover only the essentials. However, more than half describe their financial situation as "comfortable" and 11% as "very comfortable". Reacting to the report, Deputy Chief Minister Heidi Soulsby says: "It's disappointing to read that, but not surprising. "I think there's a feeling of frustration that the States hasn't got very far and how it's acted and not made the important decisions." Lindsay Jefferies, Managing Director of Island Global Research, adds: "Two-thirds considered quality of life in the Channel Islands as higher than it would be in the UK. "So whilst there is a clear sense of frustration and things that people want to change, they also recognise that we have a good quality of life, so that is something encouraging coming out."
BBC News
29-05-2025
- BBC News
Channel Islanders lack trust in politics, survey finds
There is a widespread lack of trust and representation in local politics, a pan-island survey has survey by Island Global Research, focused on understanding people's attitudes on "topical issues", also asked islanders the extent to which they trusted different institutions.A total of 1,140 residents aged over 16 in Guernsey participated and 601 took part in than 70% of respondents in Guernsey and 68% in Jersey believed their island was "heading in the wrong direction" and they had no or limited influence on decisions being made. Cost of living Across both island less than 20% said they felt elected officials represented their views well while 46% of respondents in Jersey and 58% in Guernsey said they would definitely vote in their next in Jersey said their top concerns were healthcare and inflation, with inflation being more important to younger residents and healthcare to older priorities for improvement included the cost of living, hospital waiting lists and residents said they were mainly concerned about housing, with 80% saying it was important, as well as the priorities for improvement were affordable housing, the cost of living and than 70% of islanders rated their quality of life as being 6 or higher out of 10 and most believed their lives were better in the islands than in the UK.
ITV News
21-04-2025
- ITV News
'A good, true shepherd': Channel Islands' Catholic leaders reacts to Pope Francis' death
Channel Islanders have shared their thoughts on the death of Pope Francis, describing him as a "much-loved" and "true shepherd" of the people. Pope Francis died aged 88 on Monday morning (21 April); he was last seen addressing the Easter Sunday mass in St Peter's Square. The Vatican said in a statement: "At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church." Jersey 's Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, says flags should fly at half-mast until 8pm on Tuesday 22 April. He adds he is "saddened" to hear of the passing of "a much-loved and respected figure". Catholic Dean of Guernsey, the Very Reverand Canon Christopher Rutledge, says the Pope had a love for the "simplicity of life". He explains: "That comes about in the way he wanted to live, when he declined to use the papal apartments and instead lived in the hotel next door. "Pope Francis was a good, true shepherd who had a great love and concern for the poor and the marginalised." Rev. Canon Rutledge recalls being moved by the Pope's message to priests to be "shepherds with 'the smell of the sheep'" The Guernsey Dean adds: "As clergy, we should be there with our people and not be sitting in offices - to be a true shepherd just like Jesus was. "That very much grew on me." Catholic Dean of Jersey, the Very Reverand Dominic Golding, told ITV News that Pope Francis was a leader who spoke up on the most important values Christians should strive for in society. He explains: "We are mourning a man who's certainly been much-loved and a man who I think showed great compassion for others. "Particularly for him, he was very keen to minister not only to those in the Catholic Church, but to all those he memorably said are on the peripheries of the church and society. "Especially for his work with migrants, refugees, the elderly, the sick, and for example, the Christian Community in Gaza, whom he's phoned every Sunday evening until just the last few weeks to assure them that they weren't forgotten. "I think for people of faith and for people who have good will to others, he's someone whom they can all identify with - many of us are very proud of what he's achieved." Patrick Lynch, CEO of Caritas, which reaches out to the marginalised in our society, says Pope Francis will be remembered as someone who taught the church to take action for those most vulnerable in society. "I think he was a wonderful Pope. He changed the way the papacy did a lot of things. For us who work in Catholic social teaching and social justice, he was an amazing leader. "He inspired through his actions and his words - he was somebody who always had time and worked for the poor and the voiceless and the downtrodden. "There's that famous photograph of him travelling on the bus when he gave up the chauffeur for his limousine because he wanted to be a person for the people."
