Islanders lack trust in politics, survey finds

There is a widespread lack of trust and representation in local politics, a pan-island survey has found.

The 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 Jersey.

More 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.

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 election.

People in Jersey said their top concerns were healthcare and inflation, with inflation being more important to younger residents and healthcare to older ones.

Top priorities for improvement included the cost of living, hospital waiting lists and housing.

Guernsey residents said they were mainly concerned about housing, with 80% saying it was important, as well as the economy.

Top priorities for improvement were affordable housing, the cost of living and infrastructure.

More 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.

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [email protected].