THE Jersey Alliance Party has confirmed that it will field candidates for Deputy in all nine of Jersey’s electoral districts at the forthcoming general election.
A total of 14 Alliance candidates will be standing when the Island goes to the polls on 22 June, it was revealed at the launch of the party’s manifesto yesterday.
The last three candidates on the party slate were unveiled, with Deputy Hugh Raymond seeking re-election in St John, St Lawrence and Trinity. The two new candidates are Autism Jersey founder and school governor Philip Le Claire, standing for Deputy in Grouville and St Martin, and bar owner Chris Tanguy, who will bid for a Deputy seat in St Clement.
Speaking at the launch event in St Helier, party leader Sir Mark Boleat said the Alliance manifesto reflected a large number of conversations he had held with people across the Island.
‘Talking to many people it is clear that there are a lot of things they like about Jersey, including our environment, thriving economy, low tax rates and the parish system, but there are also key issues that need to be addressed regarding housing, healthcare and education,’ he said.
Policies for housing included an expanded scheme to help first-time buyers alongside work to increase the supply of housing, he said.
Proposals relating to healthcare would see an insurance-based scheme providing free dentistry services for children and seeking to ensure Islanders had access to ‘affordable and first-class healthcare’.
The party also wishes to increase the provision for pre-school classes for children, a focus on lifelong learning and the abolition of the asset test which is currently used in determining applications for student grants.
Sir Mark said that the party wished to emphasise the importance of sport as a beneficial factor for both mental and physical health, working to increase participation rates from low-income families, as well as highlighting the achievements of Island teams in sports such as cricket, rugby and netball, and the benefits of sports-based tourism.
Deputy Rowland Huelin, who will stand in St Mary, St Ouen and St Peter and is one of five members of the outgoing government on the Alliance slate, said it was significant that the party would have candidates in every electoral district.
He said: ‘A lot of people are disappointed that there will no longer be an Island-wide mandate [as a result of the abolition of the role of Senator] but that is what we can offer – all voters will have the chance to choose an Alliance candidate and in doing so to back Sir Mark Boleat as Chief Minister.’
The Alliance Party will field 13 candidates for Deputy, plus one sitting Constable, with Philip Le Sueur standing for re-election in Trinity. The total of 14 candidates is the same as Reform Jersey, although Reform will field candidates in only seven of the nine electoral districts.
Ahead of the final list of confirmed candidates being published today, the coalition between the Progress Party and Jersey Liberal Conservatives has so far confirmed nine candidates, while at least five independent candidates are affiliated to the Better Way group. At least 45 other independents are also set to stand.
