ONE of the arguments put forward by this newspaper since the machinery of government was overhauled in 2004 is that islanders do not really know what government stands for, largely because Guernsey does not have aspirational political parties.

Instead, the States is formed of 45 local members who are elected on their own independent manifesto. The pressure to deliver joined-up government and to encourage members to act corporately is one consequence of that, as is the emergence of a Government Business Plan, a document aimed at putting direction into decision making and, hopefully, some discipline into deputies and departments.

So, the Guernsey Tomorrow initiative announced today is particularly important because for the first time it provides islanders with a forum to express what sort of a community they want for the future and thus to have a direct input on government policies and thinking.

Instead of deputy candidates saying what they think people want to hear, the people can tell deputies what they want them to do.

And it is an opportunity people should seize because it is of crucial importance to this Bailiwick’s future.

What is said during the consultative process will have a material effect on how Guernsey develops for the next generations – and develops literally. Land use, population, traffic, jobs, housing and building policies are all prime issues to be shaped by Guernsey Tomorrow and because the States governs by consensus, the various debates will become contentious.

The island is already one of the most crowded places on the planet and many already believe that enough growth is enough. But that view has to be reconciled with the need for economic growth and full employment which in turn impacts upon who will support an increasingly ageing population at acceptable levels of taxation.

What the process will reveal is that there is no obvious right way ahead but some options that a majority will regard as the least worst.

Influencing that outcome is an opportunity all islanders should grasp.