Departing deputy says in-fighting slowed progress

The outgoing president of Guernsey's education committee has said in-fighting and differences of opinion slowed its progress during her time in charge.

Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen lost her seat on Thursday at Guernsey's general election, missing out on re-election by fewer than 500 votes.

Dudley-Owen told the BBC there had been "considerable barriers put in the way of the education committee this term".

She said people "pulling in different directions" meant progress was "inevitably going to be slowed".

Dudley-Owen said there needed to be a genuine ability to set aside differences and to draw the line.

She accused some deputies of putting "their own children" ahead of the island's children, which she said was "not acceptable".

"The most important people in this conversation are our young people - our children. This job is about islanders, not our own families."

Dudley-Owen was part of the island's first ever mother-daughter political dynasty - her mother Gloria Dudley-Owen was previously a deputy representing the West district.

She said she had an "element of disappointment" about the result but, as a "staunch supporter" of democracy, she accepted the "will of the people".

However, she felt a series of "very unfortunate leaks that came out of the States" had impacted the result.

Dudley-Owen said: "Stories told completely out of context means the electorate unfortunately is quite misled."

Dudley-Owen's time as president of Education, Sport and Culture (ESC) saw some major changes to the island's education system.

These included reforms to the education law and restructuring of several of Guernsey's schools, including merging two secondary schools.

"We know that we've done a huge amount - I worked tirelessly," she said.

However, she said there was a "very big gap" between "where we are objectively" and the public's perception of progress.

Dudley-Owen said she had received an email from a teacher who said she had "managed to deliver a model of education and bring stability".

The teacher now found it easier to recruit "quality teachers", Dudley-Owen said.

Dudley-Owen said the gap between the public's perception of education and the reality meant the States needed to improve the way it got its message across.

"There's clearly been a gap in communication," she said.

She said the next president of ESC needed to "keep a cool head".

"You are the team leader, it is a team effort," she said, "Make sure your committee members are all paddling together."

Dudley-Owen said she did not know if she would return to politics in the future, but would spend time with her "supportive family" while watching politics "from a distance".

She said she got into politics because of a "sense of duty", adding: "I love my island; I always will."

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