ALDERNEY States is set for a major overhaul this year. Half of its 10 seats are up for election in December and three of those five have said they will not stand again.

Among them is the recognisable Richard Willmott, who is also an Alderney Representative in Guernsey’s States meetings, and who some have called that island’s equivalent to chief minister.

Having announced his intention not to stand again, he said he is sick of the argument and abuse he receives in the role and will not put his name on the ballot sheet again.

‘No, definitely not,’ he said.

His colleague Liz Bennett is not waiting around for the election either – she leaves the island next month for Yorkshire, and so is out of the picture too.

However, there will be no by-election and her seat will remain vacant until December.

Colin Williams has also said he is standing down leaving only two of the five at the end of their terms who might still stand for re-election, although of course they may not get in if they do.

These are Ian Tugby – who has recently fallen out with some over his support for developing a marina to attract more visitors and who was against the new smoking ban – and 75-year-old Tony Llewellyn.

So why are so few staying on to defend their seats?

And what do the outgoing members make of their experiences – what advice could they give new arrivals?

Liz Bennett said she would encourage people into the role.

‘I would recommend it to anyone – anyone who has two available days every week and likes arguing,’ she said.

‘I am very upbeat about it because it was a fascinating experience and very rewarding, though it is hard work and there is a lot of arguing with people, which I don’t like so much.

‘I thought the things I wanted for the island were pretty obvious and couldn’t understand when everyone didn’t just agree with me.’

She felt she had left her mark, and that the current House had set a good path for the next.

‘I think I achieved quite a lot here and have done enough,’ she said.

‘We have been working on the strategic plan for the next few years and it is clear there is a lot that needs to be done – I think the current States is really making a good stab at it, though.’

Richard Willmott said he had seen enough over his years in the role and it was time to get out.

‘I have completed seven years, which I think is a decent period of community service and also we get a bit stale and it becomes time for other people to take over,’ he said.

‘It is quite wearying in Alderney – it is a small community and so you are very close to the people you represent, and there is a fair amount of passion, that can get quite personal.’

No matter how good your intentions were, it was impossible to please everybody all the time, he said.

‘Over a period of seven years there will be few people whom you have not upset in some way or another.’

‘I just think there is a natural lifespan for Alderney politicians for this reason,’ he said.

So what would he advise newcomers about the qualities required for the role?

‘Well there are negatives, such as the ugliness that comes with the job, which is tiring, but there are big positives too.’

‘The main positive is that it is very interesting and concerns a large range of subjects.’

One current project that stood out for him was the development of a housing association, which he said was hugely important, and he had been particularly interested in developing Alderney’s tidal energy projects.

Much of his time has been taken up in Guernsey politics as well, as he explained.

‘It has been very rewarding to represent Alderney in the Guernsey States meetings where I play a fairly full part, especially since I have been a member of the Health board and the Strategic Plan team.’

He said the extent to which Guernsey politics affected the rest of the Bailiwick was often underappreciated.

‘I think that the impact of whatever Guernsey decides to do about filling the black hole is going to become a major issue for all.

‘And I believe that some rearrangement of the relationship between Guernsey and Alderney is probably necessary in the next few years.’

That could involve the smaller island taking more responsibility for its own affairs, he said.

‘At the moment, for example, tax on rateable property, or TRP, is set in Guernsey and paid to Guernsey. But there is an argument that all property taxes should be charged by Alderney and stay in Alderney. In return for this, Alderney could take on responsibility for a service.’

That would represent a loosening of the relationship, but not be too radical, he said.

So what will the long-serving Alderney States member do now?

‘I am definitely going to do a bit of travelling and this decision is also very much to spend more time with my grandchildren and my family in the UK,’ he said.

But Mr Willmott said he would not be turning his back on the island entirely.

‘I will still be involved in a number of roles, such as on the Alderney Sports Centre project, and with Alderney Electricity and other things, but not in a political sense any longer.’

The question now, of course, is who the Alderney electorate will find to fill these departing shoes?