As a business leader for the last 30 years running our family business in King Street, I know what it takes to run a competitive business and manage a budget. As a Deputy in the States Assembly from 1999 to 2005, leading Jersey’s first economic growth plan, I know how to deliver results in the public interest. This experience is why I am standing for election again, because the problems we faced then have not been solved. They have got worse.
As an Island, we have failed to address the rising cost of living, excessive public spending and the need for sustainable economic growth. If we don’t address these issues urgently, Jersey risks entering a period of long-term decline with falling tax revenue, public debt diverting funds away from public services and our youth moving away to more affordable places to live.
My priorities are clear: make Jersey more affordable, restore financial discipline, and grow the economy.
The cost of living crisis has not gone away and with conflict in Iran it is about to get a lot worse. I will act to reduce inflationary pressures. This includes addressing the high cost of housing through faster planning decisions and smarter land use, supporting competition in key sectors, and reducing unnecessary regulatory costs and States policies that drive up prices. My goal is simple: a Jersey where wages go further, essentials are affordable, and people can plan their futures with confidence.
Strong public services require strong financial management. For too long, government spending has grown without sufficient discipline. I will fight to restore control by pressing for rigorous spending reviews across all departments, prioritising value for money and measurable outcomes. Every pound of taxpayers’ money must be justified and if borrowing is necessary, it will be used responsibly and only for long-term investment, not day-to-day expenses. The aim is to reduce borrowing in the medium term. By living within our means, we can protect essential services while safeguarding Jersey’s long-term financial stability.
A strong economy is the foundation of a thriving society. We need to back local businesses and rekindle our entrepreneurial spirit by reducing barriers, cutting bureaucracy and rebalancing the scales of risk and reward. Investing in skills and education to prepare our workforce for the future, enabling key sectors while encouraging diversification. Jersey needs to be a competitive, forward-looking jurisdiction that welcomes entrepreneurs and rewards hard work. Above all, we need to encourage the establishment and growth of businesses in Jersey to protect future revenues.
This is my plan for Jersey: easing the cost of living, controlling public spending, and building a stronger economy. By working together, we can secure a more affordable and prosperous future for Jersey.
Names of Proposers and Seconders
- Austin Jeffrey Beresford Chinn
- Richard Hugh Le Boutillier
- Jennifer Mary Geddes
- Patricia Anne Williams
- Stephen John Herbert
- Margaret Christine Milner of Leeds
- Gary Lennox
- Fiona Jane Kerley
- Kevin Philip Clyde-Smith
- Magdalena Barbara Chmielewska