Jersey News

Senatorial Candidates

Senators are voted for island-wide and represent the whole of Jersey.

This year only half of the Senators were up for election because the remaining Senators have only served half their six-year terms.

There were only four spots up for grabs this time because two have been axed in an attempt to streamline the States.

Once the Senators have been voted on, the new Chief Minister will pick his Council of Ministers, choosing a States Member for posts like Treasury Minister and Health.

Outward Chief Minister Terry Le Sueur will be replaced when the newly voted-in States sit in October for the first time. States Members can put themselves forward for the position and then the States vote for their new Chief Minister.

SENATORIAL CANDIDATES

We have asked all the Senatorial candidates to provide us with the answers to some questions – and will be updating each profile as we get this information. All entries below are unedited.

Sir Philip Bailhache – As a former Bailiff and Judge, Sir Philip is no stranger to Jersey politics. As Bailiff, his position was Chief Justice of the island. He studied Law at Oxford University and upon leaving, joined his family’s law firm, Bailhache and Bailhache in St Helier. He lives in Grouville with his second wife Linda and two children, Alice and Edward.

What do you see as the key issue facing Jersey? There are many key issues but, if pressed, I would say that reform of the constitution of the States is most urgent. Without reform, sensible debates and efficient decision-making in relation to the economy, the health service, education, income support and much else are less likely. The number of members of the States should be reduced.

Will you be seeking promotion to the Council of Ministers – if so, which position would you like, and why? I should like to be in a position to influence the work of the proposed Electoral Commission which will lay the foundations for the reform of the constitution of the States. To that end I should like to have an involvement with the Privileges and Procedures Committee. I have no particular ministerial ambitions, but am prepared to serve in any capacity where I might be most useful.

Why should Islanders vote for you? I have had a successful career in the law and have been involved with the work of the States for most of my life. I understand what has gone wrong with the machinery of government, and I think that I can help to put it right. I believe that my experience will enable me to build bridges between members, and to restore faith in the States Assembly.

Senator Freddie Cohen- Current Senator and former Planning Minister. Senator Freddie has hit the headlines recently because he originally announced that he was stepping down from the States, partly due to racist threats made to him and to spend more time with his family. He has now announced that he is standing. He was recently given the position of “Foreign Minister”.

What do you see as the key issue facing Jersey? Jersey is facing testing times in a very uncertain world. Many of our key sectors such as finance, agriculture and tourism have contracted and our ability to maintain our excellent welfare, health and education service will require competence and ingenuity from reliable proven politicians to lead us over the coming years.

Competition from Cayman, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg and Guernsey threatens our prosperity. We will need to be nimble and clever to ensure we do not loose business. If we do not protect our industries such as agriculture, finance and tourism, taxes would have to rise and welfare services fall – tax must not be increased and we must maintain our essential welfare services.

Diversification of our economy is vital as we need more strings to our bow. Properly funded, non means-tested university education and vocational training for young Islanders are essential if we are to match job opportunities with skills and deliver employment for Islanders and continued prosperity to Jersey.

Will you be seeking promotion to the Council of Ministers if so, which position would you like and why? I have served on the Council of Ministers for nearly six years as Environment Minister. This year I was appointed as Assistant Chief Minister with responsibility for UK and International Relations. The job of foreign minister was established as the UK Ministry of Justice cut our support at Westminster and internationally.

My work in this area has already delivered great benefit to the Island from obtaining UK and EU Code Group endorsement of our Zero-Ten regime to delivering school exchange opportunities with China.

I believe our future lies in the international diversification of the economy and I like to continue in my present role.

Why should islanders vote for you?I have a proven track record of making decisions and delivering new policies. I have helped secure vital agreements such as the agreement by the UK Treasury and European Code Group to accept Zero-Ten, so vital to our continued prosperity. I have also delivered new job and business opportunities and introduced a wide range of initiatives ranging from the ECO-ACTIVE programme to the new National Park. I have a proven track record of delivery and wish to continue serving my Island as a full-time politician.

Advocate Rose Colley – One of three female candidates, she is a new candidate and a partner at Viberts law firm, where she works in the family department. She was a Councillor for the London Borough of Southwark from 1984 to 1997 and stood for Parliament at the 1992 General Election. In Jersey she is the former acting Btnnier, chairs the sub-committee of the Law Society. She currently serves on the States of Jersey Appointments Commission, is legal adviser to St John Ambulance in Jersey and sits on the Citizens Advice Bureau Management committee.

What do you see as the key issue facing Jersey?Elected politicians in Jersey need to reconnect with the community. There is a need for constitutional reform of the States of Jersey. There needs to be a full and informed debate of the various options. It is crucial that the public are fully consulted on these reforms including options being put to them in a referendum.

The States needs to immediately reform the way that it debates issues. There is far too much time wasting and many members seem to have forgotten that they are in the States to represent those who elected them and not to simply give a platform to their own personal views.

I believe that there must be a continuing role for the parishes within any reformed States. The parish structure is an excellent way of helping to reconnect with the electorate and consideration should be given to how the role of the parishes could be enhanced.

Will you be seeking promotion to the Council of Ministers if so, which position would you like and why? If it were felt that I was a suitable candidate for the Council of Ministers I would give this very serious consideration. I would, however, only seek Ministerial office in a policy area where I feel that I have sufficient expertise such as education or housing. These are the policy areas that I have always felt passionate about and where I feel that I could add value as a Minister or Assistant Minister.

Why should Islanders vote for you? There are a number of reasons why Islanders should vote for me:

I have many years experience of local government in London including sitting as an elected member on the Inner Education Authority;

Since moving to Jersey in 1997 I have been active in campaigning for a number of social reforms that affect families including the implementation of the Children Law, rights for grandparents and step-parents. I believe that I have been an effective campaigner in these areas and now feel it is the right time to use these skills in the States.

I am passionate about Jersey. However, in recent years, politicians have lost the ability to properly represent those that elected them and unless this tide is turned Jersey will become governed less and less effectively. Such a state of affairs risks the economic and social stability of the Island.