Priorities
This Island is crying out for a government that will live within its means. Four years ago, at the last election, ministers pledged to “control public spending” but the size and cost of government keep growing.
Another minister pledged in 2022 to “Get spending under control, reduce taxes and bring down debt.” The first two didn’t happen, and it’s difficult to assess any debt reduction when they won’t tell us the cost of developing Kensington Place and Gloucester St. for the hospital.
So much for yet another promise to ensure “open and transparent government”.
We must do better.
Elections are about the future, not the past, but unless we acknowledge that the States Assembly, government and our political system lack leadership and efficient decision-making, the torture of the hospital saga since 2012 risks being repeated.
As Chair of PPC, the body that runs the Assembly, I introduced measures to improve our time management: moving from a 2-week to a 3-week cycle for States sittings and introducing a 15-minute time limit on speeches. Reform Jersey and others fought me every step of the way. My changes work.
Saving Time and Money
Politicians take a good, hard look around! Inefficiencies are everywhere. Take charities reliant on government grants. They have to go through the same cumbersome application process every single year. Think of the government administration time involved. The process should happen once per Assembly term, giving three years of certainty to recipients and the ability to plan ahead.
Let’s do this…
- PFAS – an open, consultative Scrutiny examination of the government’s proposals.
- Pensions – at the very least, a higher tax threshold for those most hit by “double taxation”.
- A Government that Listens – especially to industry and start-ups, key to economic growth.
- Tourism – renewed support for a reinvigorated industry, so vital to our connectivity.
- Impôt duty – a freeze/reduction to assist tourism, hospitality, the cost-of-living crisis.
- Keep the West Best – our farmers, fishers, coast and fields, building appropriately for down-sizers and first time buyers.
Me
Russell worked internationally in TV and theatre before returning to Jersey and serving as a Deputy of St Helier 2014- 2022. Chaired the Planning Committee, PPC, Minister for Housing. A prolific proposer of Private Members’ Propositions, saved the historic 1932 Airport Terminal from demolition, stopped foreign investors buying Jersey property via share transfer, reduced Andium rents from 90% of market value to 80%, among other initiatives. I would be honoured to represent St Mary, St Peter and my home parish of St Ouen, where family ties go back centuries.
Proposers; John Syvret, Sarah Le Feuvre, Gerald Le Ruez, Katrina Holden, Paul Pinel, Douglas Richardson, Anita Stodart, Carl Randall, Mary Hall, Sam Simon.
Names of Proposers and Seconders
- John Syvret
- Sarah Jane Le Feuvre
- Gerald Hedley Le Ruez
- Katrina Amelia Holden
- Paul Melville Pinel
- Douglas Andrew Richardson
- Anita Stodart
- Carl George Randall
- Mary Joy Hall
- Sam Mark Simon