During a special rural hustings at the Royal Jersey Showground in Trinity, the hopefuls outlined their credentials, visions for Jersey and, in some cases, criticisms of the present government before answering questions from the audience.
The evening began with an opening speech by Chief Minister Ian Gorst, who said that he got into politics to improve the lives of Islanders and has seen Jersey through ‘difficult economic and social challenges’ during his seven years in the top job. He added that the Island continues to face ‘international uncertainty’ due to Brexit and his three main priorities would be continued economic leadership, improving the lives of all Islanders through social programmes and streamlining/reforming the public sector.
Next up was Stevie Ocean, who said that he would focus on immigration, housing, tourism, dealing with mental health issues and nuisance pedestrians in St Helier.
Reform Jersey chairman Sam Mézec said that he wanted to be part of the next government and wanted to ensure that Jersey’s wealth was more evenly distributed.
A number of other incumbent politicians are also standing, including Homes Affairs Minister Kristina Moore, who outlined her support for a recently rejected scheme to build 65 affordable homes in the heart of St Peter – her current constituency.
Deputies Simon Brée and John Le Fondré were both keen to outline their experience in the States, having served on a number of Scrutiny panels.
Deputy Brée said he was concerned that Jersey’s expanding population could have ‘serious consequences for the quality and way of life of Islanders’.
Appealing to the rural audience, Deputy Le Fondré explained the key roles he had played in the debate to import bull semen to the Island and in relocating Jersey Dairy to its location at Howard Davis Farm.
Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham said that the States needed to be made up of ‘serious people with a positive vision’ and that the Assembly ‘must work together’ and not for individual or party objectives.
A number of candidates were keen to weigh in with criticism of the present government.
St Brelade Constable Steve Pallett said that the delays to the construction of Jersey’s hospital had demonstrated communication failures on the part of the States.
Businessman Gino Risoli said that his key focus would be making the States more accountable and his 25 years in business would aid his decision-making.
Former tax lawyer Moz Scott, who is the chairwoman of the St Brelade’s Bay Residents’ Association, said she felt that too many luxury homes were being built on the coast and more affordable housing was required.
Veteran politician Senator Sarah Ferguson brought some humour to evening with her suggestion that Jersey’s population policy is a ‘wonderful Ponzi scheme’.
‘Our recent Scrutiny report revealed that if average immigration continues at the same level it has since 2001 – 700 people a year – the Island will require 185 Le Marais blocks and six new primary schools by 2035,’ she said.
The States also came in for heavy criticism from a trio of potential newcomers.
Estate agent Frank Luce said he believed that the States did not listen to the electorate and that it was time for the voting minority to lead the ‘apathetic majority’.
Mr Luce added that he had made a special effort for the evening by shaving his beard and applying moisturiser on the advice of his spin doctor.
Gordon George Troy voiced concerns that the needs of pensioners were being neglected. ‘They are introducing a living wage for workers, but what about a living pension?’ he said.
Meanwhile, Phil Maguire said that he believed the Island’s government and businesses have been ‘short-termist’ by always trying to make a ‘fast buck’ by building developments on green space.
Deputy Tracey Vallois said that the Island needed to get ‘back to basics’ and spoke about tackling the silo mentality in the States, where departments do not co-operate with each other. She also said the personal taxation system needed to be reviewed, including by looking at making sure seasonal workers contribute.
Former St Clement Deputy Gerard Baudains said that his previous record in the States demonstrated that he was ‘tough and determined’ and ‘does not take no for an answer’.
Equality campaigner Ant Lewis, who has Aphasia – severe communication difficulties – after suffering a stroke ten years ago, played a recorded message at the start of the hustings and did not take part in the question-and-answer session.
He said that he was a type of candidate that had not been seen before but ‘different’ was what Jersey needed. He said that being disabled had given him more ‘courage and insight’ and he would focus on equality, environment and community.
Facing an audience in the heartland of rural Jersey, candidates came up with various suggestions as to how to revive Jersey’s farming industry.
Senator Gorst defended his record in government, pointing out that the budget to support the rural economy had been kept constant during his tenure thanks to the efforts of Senator Farnham.
The majority of candidates indicated support for looking for workers from non-EU countries to bolster the Island’s agricultural workforce, which had been proposed by the government.
Deputy Moore said that she would consider removing parish rates for famers, if re-elected, while Deputy Vallois and Senator Ferguson both advocated greater support for crop diversification.
Mr Troy, who has no previous experience in the States, said that he looked forward to ‘eating or wearing’ any new crops produced in Jersey.
Deputy Mézec said that ‘regenerative’ farming practices should be explored and could give the industry a new selling point.
Deputies Brée and Le Fondré both advocated greater financial support for the sector, with the latter suggesting the funds set aside for economic development could be used.
Ms Scott told the audience that her background in the legal and finance profession did not mean that she did not care about farming.
Meanwhile, Gerard Baudains used the topic as an opportunity to attack the government’s record on immigration. ‘The one thing we do seem to be able to grow in this Island is the population,’ he said.
He added that he believed farmers knew what they were doing with their crops better than ‘university graduates’ who try to advise them.
Stevie Ocean suggested that bean-crock-flavoured Jersey Royal crisps could be a new product to boost the agricultural sector.
Mr Pallett said that the sector should not be judged on its productivity alone, pointing out that farmers help maintain the countryside, making it attractive for tourists and wealthy residents.
Some of the potential newcomers to the States were more critical of the government’s track record in supporting farming.
Mr Maguire said that the government did not care about farming because its only priority was the finance sector. Mr Luce had similar views.
Mr Risoli said that he understood agriculture because he was raised on a farm. He said that farmers needed to take responsibility themselves for diversifying their crops.
