Carl Meerveld
Carl P. Meerveld | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Meerveld in June 2025 | |
| Deputy of the States of Guernsey | |
| In office 2016 – June 2025 | |
| Constituency | Guernsey (island-wide) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Guernsey |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Committees | States Assembly & Constitution Committee (President, 2020-2025) |
Carl P. Meerveld is a former politician from Guernsey who served as a deputy in the States of Guernsey from 2016 to 2025.[1] He served as president of the States Assembly & Constitution Committee from 2020 until 2025.[2]
Early life and career
[edit]Meerveld was born and raised in Saint Sampson, Guernsey.
Before entering politics, Meerveld worked internationally for 30 years, establishing and managing companies in Asia and the United States.[1] He set up companies in Asian markets and managed Asia operations for three investment fund research companies.[1]
After working abroad and starting a family, he returned to Saint Sampson with his wife and two sons.[1] He moved back to Guernsey seven years before his first election in 2016.[1]
Political career
[edit]Elections
[edit]Meerveld was first elected to the States of Guernsey in the 2016 Guernsey general election.[1] He was re-elected in the 2020 Guernsey general election[3] and stood for re-election in the 2025 Guernsey general election.[4] He was unsuccessful in securing re-election in 2025, ending his nine-year tenure in the States.[5]
Committee roles
[edit]Meerveld served as president of the States Assembly & Constitution Committee from 2020 to 2025.[2] In this role, he oversaw the introduction of Simultaneous Electronic Voting, which records all members' votes.[6] He also worked on establishing an independent Commissioner for Standards to evaluate complaints against serving Deputies.[7]
Earlier in his political career, Meerveld served as vice-president of the Education, Sport and Culture Committee until December 2017, when he resigned following controversy over a £10,000 public relations campaign.[8] He also served as Chair of the Administrative Decision Review Board.
Renewable energy advocacy
[edit]Meerveld was involved in offshore wind energy development proposals for Guernsey's waters. In October 2022, he authored the Offshore Wind Scoping Report as part of a group of 15 deputies researching renewable energy opportunities.[9] The report identified potential wind farm sites covering 610 km².[10]
He chaired the Policy & Resources Committee's offshore wind sub-committee until September 2023, when he was replaced following disagreements over his public statements about potential revenue from offshore wind projects.[11]
Position on goods and services tax
[edit]Meerveld opposed proposals to introduce a goods and services tax (GST) in Guernsey. He was involved in the "Red Ribbon Campaign" that organized protests against GST proposals in 2023.[12][13] The campaign included a march in January 2023 that drew significant public participation.[14] Following public debate and opposition campaigns, GST proposals were rejected by the States Assembly twice in 2023.
Other political positions
[edit]Meerveld expressed support for various transparency and accountability measures, including reinstatement of the Public Accounts Committee, introduction of a Freedom of Information Law, and establishment of an independent Ombudsman.[1]
Media attention
[edit]In April 2020, Meerveld delivered a speech in the States chamber where he rapidly listed fruits and vegetables he was growing in his garden during a debate on the Island Development Plan.[15] The speech received local media coverage.[15]
Personal life
[edit]Meerveld lives in St. Sampson with his family and has two sons.[1] He grows fruits and vegetables on his property.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h "Deputy Carl Meerveld". States of Guernsey.
- ^ a b "States elects new committee presidents". Bailiwick Express. October 19, 2020.
- ^ "Carl Meerveld - Candidate - Election 2020 Guernsey". web.archive.org.
- ^ "Carl Meerveld - Election 2025 Guernsey". election2025.gg.
- ^ "Guernsey General Election 2025: Results". BBC News. 19 June 2025.
- ^ "Contre! Electronic voting fails at the first attempt". bailiwickexpress.com. September 7, 2022.
- ^ "Deputies set to debate their code of conduct again in May". bailiwickexpress.com. February 10, 2022.
- ^ "Sticking a hat over a grenade - Guernsey's Carl Meerveld on education". itv.com.
- ^ Team, Bailiwick Express News (October 18, 2022). "LISTEN: Scoping reports on renewable energy "makes the compelling case" for acting now". Bailiwick Express News Guernsey.
- ^ "Wind farm is proposed". guernseypress.com. October 18, 2022.
- ^ Fitzgerald, Sue (September 28, 2023). "Policy and Resources Committee appoints new chair to sub-committee exploring wind energy". Channel Eye.
- ^ "Anti-GST rally tomorrow". bailiwickexpress.com. January 20, 2023.
- ^ "Anti GST protests planned". islandfm.com. January 6, 2023.
- ^ "Deputies urge P&R to drop GST plans". bailiwickexpress.com. January 23, 2023.
- ^ a b c "WATCH: Deputy Carl '50 veg' Meerveld". Bailiwick Express News Guernsey. April 24, 2020.
External links
[edit] | This article needs additional or more specific categories. (June 2025) |