From UK athlete to parliament: Serena Guthrie wins senator seat

From UK athlete to parliament: Serena Guthrie wins senator seat

Just now

Serena Guthrie has become a senator in Jersey at the first time of asking, after overnight results saw her finish fifth in the islandwide vote.

The Jersey-born netball gold medallist received more than 12,000 votes in total.

She campaigned on issues including the cost of living, preventative healthcare and childcare provision.

She finished above the likes of veteran politicians Tom Binet and Alan Maclean.

Guthrie is best known for her glittering netball career.

In 15 years at the top of the sport, she made 110 appearances for England and became captain of the side.

A year later she was appointed MBE for services to netball, which was presented to her by then Prince Charles, now King Charles III.

In 2020, she appeared on an episode of the BBC's Mastermind quiz programme. Her specialist subject was "the island of Jersey", about which she managed to answer five questions correctly. She had previously appeared on A Question of Sport.

A return to Jersey followed, where she has continued to pursue a number of sport, business and charity interests, while welcoming a second child.

Pivot to politics

In May 2026, she announced her candidacy for senator - her first foray into politics.

Her pitch to voters drew heavily on her sporting success, with references to "winning and losing", teamwork and performance featuring prominently in her manifesto.

"After 16 years in elite sport, I know when performance suffers, you dive into the core of the issue, change the culture and you build a team that can deliver," she wrote.

Guthrie was one of a number of candidates to align with political movement, Value Jersey, which focused heavily on the cost of living on the island.

She said: "Value Jersey didn't set to be anything divisive, in fact it's the opposite of that.

"I'm really pleased for those members who have got in and have been endorsing some of their policies as well. But now its about working as a team and learning to get to know the 49 candidates that have been elected".

During the course of the campaign, she spoke of moving back to the island in 2022 and being surprised at how expensive it had become.

"It was way more expensive than when I had left".

She described it as "a struggle" to pay her mortgage each month, and said that while "Jersey is a brilliant place to live... it is expensive at the minute".

Upon being elected, Guthrie said: "I think people just want change.

"Seven weeks ago, I was on the other side of the fence, deeply disappointed with the performance of the government.

"There's been some great stuff that's been done, don't get me wrong. But, ultimately, there is a deep unhappiness with this island at the minute for many different reasons and so people want change.

"I felt quite strongly that I could be the voice of that change and be someone who is brave enough to really truly go in and challenge some systems and the current status quo that is the States Assembly."

Guthrie frequently highlighted the "pressure on families".

"It is too expensive here. Housing is a constant concern, and work-life balance is harder than it should be.

"I have questioned whether staying here is sustainable.

"I have seen friends leave, not because they wanted to, but because they felt they had no choice," she said.

In her election literature, Guthrie said she wanted to lower the cost of living by introducing cheaper supermarkets, provide more affordable childcare and investing in preventative healthcare and sport.

Guthrie said: "Work-life balance question is currently in the forefront of my mind and doing this job, but... it's so important that we have representation right. We need more mums in the States Assembly. We need more women... we need more men from different walks of life.

"We have to also question how we bring those people in, not just in the next four years, but the next four years [after that]."

Magda Chmielewska is among those who proposed Guthrie for election.

She described her as "a woman of action, vision and real substance".

"Serena has built her life and career on discipline, accountability, collaboration and results... she brings fresh thinking, energy and the courage to challenge what is no longer working for Jersey," she said.

Jersey Netball president Linda Andrews said Guthrie was "an outstanding ambassador for the island".

In terms of what she will bring to the States Assembly, Andrews said she "will take responsibility for her decisions and actions... and will be dedicated to delivering results".

Guthrie was born in Jersey and attended Le Rocquier School while pursuing her sporting ambitions.

She holds a masters degree in Business Administration.

More on this story: