Rick Lowe, who founded The Guernsey Party, has died.
Mr Lowe was a candidate in this year's general election but pulled out because of ill health.
Mr Lowe was born and educated in Guernsey. He spent a number of years in Australia before returning to the island where he ran a group of small companies.
In a post on social media, Deputy Mark Helyar, who leads the Guernsey Party, said that he was "the inspiration for a new way of doing politics in Guernsey" and adds that Mr Lowe will be "much missed".
The Guernsey Party posted that: "We are devastated by this evening’s news that our inspiration and founder, Rick Lowe, has passed away after a valiant battle against illness. Rick will be sorely missed by his loving family and by his many friends. Our thoughts are with them all. RIP Rick."
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