IN the weeks leading up to the election, the 21 Senatorial candidates made all kinds of promises and commitments on all kinds of subjects.
Now that the dust has settled, it’s only the promises of the six that got in that amount to very much. Some of the commitments were made during hustings meetings, some were made in response to the questions that the JEP posed on behalf of its readers, and some were made in manifestos and other election material.
In addition to the commitments that they gave individually, all 21 candidates agreed on some of the subjects that they were asked about on the parish hustings trail.
These included:
• Agreement to step down in four years to help the Island move to a general election (commitment given at Trinity parish hustings).
• Agreement to back research into a tidal power generation scheme (commitment given at Grouville parish hustings).
• Agreement that St Helier should be given more support by the States to cover the maintenance of parks and toilets used by most Islanders.
Senator-elect Ian Le Marquand said:
• The immigration target should be 350 per year, not around 550 as at present.
• Rich families should contribute more to university education so that more money is available to help students from poor families.
• ‘I would like to see GST gradually phased out, starting with essentials, and, as States income allows, spreading to other near-essential items.’
• ‘The States appoint ministers and they should have the power to dismiss them without the agreement of the Chief Minister.’
• ‘We have no say on who the Chief Minister is and that is a fundamental problem.’
• ‘Public utilities should not be sold off.’
• ‘Those in prison need better training while inside and support upon release so that they can find work and not reoffend.’
• ‘We need better enforcement of the Licensing Law and new laws to deal with knife crime and underage drinking on the streets.’
• ‘I favour a gradual reduction of the size of the States, initially from 53 to 49, with all States Members having a four-year term so that there is a general election every four years.’
Senator-elect Alan Breckon said:
• We should have a 40% recycling target by 2012.
• ‘A modern Freedom of Information Law will provide transparency and greater accountability.’
• ‘I support the introduction of an elderly care social insurance based scheme, paid by all, which provides defined care to those who need it.’
• ‘I would support a fully transparent review of the ministerial system.’
• ‘I think that increasing the population is an easy short-term solution to economic growth with negative long-term consequences.’
• ‘We should remove GST and get shops to update their prices regularly on websites so that the public could access price information and have some transparency.’
Senator-elect Alan Maclean said:
• He would support the States paying rates to parishes.
• ‘The target of 0.7% of GNI for overseas aid should be phased in over an agreed period.’
• ‘I would seek to influence a far more open and transparent approach to government.’
• ‘I would oppose any further proposals to build on green field sites in the country.’
• ‘There are a great many initiatives that should be pursued including tax breaks to individuals and companies to utilise environmentally friendly products, services and practices.’
• ‘Tougher penalties in tackling drug importation and use are essential.’
• ‘There should be opportunities to retrain and offer employers incentives to employ part- or full-time women who wish to return to work.’
• ‘I would like to investigate “generation” mortgages as appeared in Japan in the 1980s. This scheme allowed the borrower to spread the loan period and therefore reduce the monthly payments to more affordable levels.’
• ‘I am especially keen to progress plans to allocate land in every parish for allotments.’
• ‘There is an absolute need to ensure that no new taxes are proposed before 2012 and that the GST rate remains at 3%.’
• ‘I would set a minimum recycling target of 50% rising to 70% within five years.’
Senator Paul Routier said:
• The States should pay rates to parishes.
• ‘I would want to see more progress with community health screening and prevention through a co-ordinated provision between consultants, GPs and pharmacies.’
• ‘I would want to ensure that the value of the state pension is protected.’
• ‘I would bring forward an equitable long-term care financial support solution to ensure that people can retain their homes.’
• ‘I would want to ensure that the environment wins out across the Island but especially at Plémont and the south-east Ramsar site.’
Senator Philip Ozouf said:
• Some of the £60m Health Insurance Scheme surplus should be used to subsidise GP visits
• Promised to consider deferring part of ‘20% means 20%’.
• ‘I do not believe that we should or need to build on remaining green fields.’
• ‘Better use of States’ property would increase efficiency and save money.’
• ‘I intend to create a public-private partnership to improve the marketing of the tourism industry.’
• ‘We must support bona fide farmers by extending the rural initiative scheme, the countryside renewal scheme and further targeted aid.’• l’I will robustly oppose any attempt to increase GST above 3%.’
• ‘I would be prepared to dispose of surplus, non-strategic property, particularly those that could boost housing supply. Some housing stock should be earmarked for sale to occupiers on a shared-equity basis.’
• ‘The £80m annual social security scheme needs to be reviewed to ensure that benefits are going to the right people and that the basis of contribution is fair and appropriate.’
• ‘I propose taxing all energy companies at 20%, which, as in other countries, will help pay for further grants.’
• ‘We should be aiming for a minimum target of 50% recycling.’
• ‘I support the retention of Senators and Constables, and believe that the number of Deputies should be reduced to 21.’
• ‘Jersey must aim to meet the UN recommendation of giving 0.7% of its gross national income.’
Senator-elect Sarah Ferguson said:
• ‘There are wrinkles in the Income Support system which need ironing out.’
• ‘States departments should be located in one property, not scattered all around St Helier.’
• ‘Low-cost housing should not be sold to “buy-to-let” investors.’
• ‘Police complaints should be handled independently and the findings should be published.’
• ‘States departments should be charged for the property they occupy.’
• ‘The Fort Regent swimming pool should be restored or turned into an ice-rink or redeveloped for other activities.’
• Picture: Senatorial election candidates at St Ouen’s Parish Hall
