Silly season and less than a week to go!
Jersey is officially on countdown to Election Day with less than a week to go.
93 candidates put themselves forward at the outset for a total of 49 seats including 12 constables, and yet for the first time there is another option in the room - NOTA - None of the above… How big a part will he / she play? - Certainly strong rumours of support in certain parishes where there is only one live candidate for Connétable!
Hustings’ season has been different to other years in so far as there has been some confusion amongst voters around the new districts whereas before it was simple - just head to the parish hall.
There has been good coverage regarding manifestos in the paper and BBC Radio Jersey has hosted phone-ins at lunchtime that have proved insightful.
Undoubtedly there will be some disappointed folk come the morning of Thursday 23rd and no doubt a few shocked people.
Arguably the biggest change this year is the lack of an island-wide mandate and no senatorial election. The deputies all voted for that in a way of protecting their own role, and it has only recently dawned on the voting public the significance of this ridiculous situation. Furthermore it has lead to candidates playing a game of chess in deciding where they will stand, and resulted in some districts overloaded with what I view as more credible candidates whilst in other areas voters could be left scratching their heads wondering how to use all of their votes!
I’ve taken as much of an interest, if not more in this election than I have on previous occasions. Parties entering the fray has certainly added a new dimension and yet none of them have secured enough candidates to carry full clout to the new assembly even if all those standing were to be elected, which rather makes a mockery of the situation.
There has been much commentary leading up to this point, and I am only adding to it by saying that I am sadly rather underwhelmed. Manifestoes all too often promise where money will be spent, but not many tackle how to earn it other than the Reform’s ‘Robin Hood’ policy to tax / take it from the ‘haves’ to then give it all away.
And with all the promises comes a swathe of ‘I thinks’, and all to few answers as to ‘how’ will you engage, achieve, fund, bring change.
And the buzz words - my oh my haven’t they been flying around? Who really defines what they mean by ‘sustainable’ let alone demonstrates real understanding of the word. And then there is ‘value’ - who really talks about that? Value isn’t just about money; money won’t solve anything alone. The island needs direction and leadership and a close, healthy working relationship with a well-managed public sector.
The economy should be central to every manifesto, to every plan for the next four years because the island and islanders on an individual basis are already facing increasing challenges and financial pressure, but all too often this is lacking. Structured public spending is critical going forward, and this includes cutting costs. Life isn’t easy, it never has been and the sooner that the electorate accept that the better it will be. There are definitely some people and industries that need help and financial support, so better systems need to be devised and implemented to both means test and manage outputs on an ongoing basis with regular reviews.
What gives me the right to quote all of the above without putting myself forward? - Arguably nothing other than I am both a Jersey resident and tax-payer, but the other elephant in the room is the double-edged sword facing any successful candidate - four years of often vitriolic attacks and all for a very average wage. If the island wants strong candidates to lead us then we need individuals who are both clever enough and bold enough to make decisions and stand by them, with a clear medium to long-term vision, and yet we don’t offer sufficient reward.