For increasing numbers of people, Jersey has simply become far too expensive. Whether struggling to get on the housing ladder or just putting food on the table, we’ve reached the stage where 10% of islanders are now forced to go without essentials like food or heating, while a staggering 45% of us have nothing left over after covering necessities. Its little wonder younger people are finding it impossible to save for deposits. Wages have stagnated while rents have soared. Increasingly, younger people no longer see the island as a viable option to raise a family, while birth numbers have fallen to their lowest since records began, driven partly by exorbitant childcare costs. The status quo is clearly unsustainable and if we don’t reverse these trends, it is no exaggeration to say we face an existential threat to our future prosperity and social cohesion.
My name is Lee Carpenter and I’m standing for election because I’ve grown increasingly frustrated with successive governments failing to tackle these critical issues. Jersey is a beautiful place to live but we need to ensure we can all enjoy living here, because for many, that simply isn’t the case.
Affordable housing is key to so many of the issues we face. Over the past two decades, house prices in Jersey have risen by 140%. Rents by 128%. Real-term earnings have seen little change since 1990.
We need to give young people hope that they can raise families here and build secure futures. We must do far more to help those who’ve gone to university in the UK return to the island. We need to recognise that for many, years of paying sky-high rents has left saving for a deposit incredibly challenging, ironically often paying more than what their mortgage re-payments would otherwise be. And we must urgently tackle unaffordable childcare and look to remove GST from essential items.
We find ourselves in this position due to political decisions made in the States Assembly over many years. But things don’t have to be this way. We can and must do so much better. Over the last twelve years Reform Jersey has consistently demonstrated a firm commitment to fighting for a fairer society and I am delighted to be part of a fantastic team of candidates in St. Helier Central.
As for me? I’m 44 years old and have lived in Jersey for thirty years. I am a Research Analyst working in our finance industry with professional qualifications in Green & Sustainable Finance as well as Climate Risk. I’m passionate about the environment, reducing inequality, and social and economic justice.
Names of Proposers and Seconders
- Samuel Yves Mézec
- Beatriz Borges S V Moreno Porée
- Tobias Oliver Gascoyne Forrest
- Gary Antony Feltham
- Laurie Louise Nemwati
- Michael Charles Phelps
- Emma Gamble
- Kevin Jon O’Connell
- Julie Martine Allen
- Tyanni Daniel Ray Porée