I recently came across an old Manifesto document for Jim Perchard for Senator (the 2005 elections), and I thought it would be interesting to see what issues are still pertinent today - I've put comments in italics below.
I have deliberately not put anything on Mr Perchard's time as Senator. This post is NOT about that, it is about comparing the issues of 2005, and seeing where we are 16 years later. His manifesto had a good coverage of those issues, so useful to take as a benchmark.
My Political Philosophy.
"I believe in the freedom of the individual and the equality of opportunity. If elected I will promote and support low tax, small, unobtrusive government that seeks to create a favourable business and social environment."
I believe in a government that:
"The decision to keep the Connétables in the States has been made. However, if they are to take an active and meaningful role in ministerial government they will need more parochial support."
"I believe in the freedom of the individual and the equality of opportunity. If elected I will promote and support low tax, small, unobtrusive government that seeks to create a favourable business and social environment."
I believe in a government that:
- Provides core services to the public efficiently and to the highest possible standards.
- Treats everyone fairly and consistently.
- Provides financial support and specialist care as uniformly and as humanely as possible to those in need.
- That does not discriminate be it on the grounds of age, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
"The decision to keep the Connétables in the States has been made. However, if they are to take an active and meaningful role in ministerial government they will need more parochial support."
Post-Clothier, the States decided in 2005 to retain the threefold election structure (Senators, Deputies, Connétables). In the 2014 Referendum on the issue of Connétables in the States, the public voted YES by a significant margin: Yes: 15,068 (approx. 62%) No: 9,061 (approx. 38%)
I believe forming elected parish councils, made up with ordinary citizens and representatives from the Honorary System would greatly assist the Connétables with their workload, be more democratic and improve the quality of decision making.
Once implemented the parishes would be capable of accepting more responsibility as the States devolve more responsibilities to them.
Parish Councils: The proposal to form elected "Parish Councils" to assist Connétables never gained significant traction and remains an unrealized democratic reform
Inflation
"Inflation globally has been driven by high oil prices, however many States policies have fuelled inflation locally. States departments have introduced new "user pays" charges and often charge above the rate of inflation for their services. This creates another layer of public administration and inflationary pressure in the economy."
I am disappointed with the annual increases in impôt duties, which of course create immediate financial gain, as I believe them to be economically short sighted, a blow for the tourism industry, inflationary and unfair on low and middle earners,
The failure of the States to promote meaningful competition in the retail and services sector encourages overpricing. We are repeatedly told that inflation is "public enemy number one" yet many States policies have driven up the RPI.
Inflation
"Inflation globally has been driven by high oil prices, however many States policies have fuelled inflation locally. States departments have introduced new "user pays" charges and often charge above the rate of inflation for their services. This creates another layer of public administration and inflationary pressure in the economy."
I am disappointed with the annual increases in impôt duties, which of course create immediate financial gain, as I believe them to be economically short sighted, a blow for the tourism industry, inflationary and unfair on low and middle earners,
The failure of the States to promote meaningful competition in the retail and services sector encourages overpricing. We are repeatedly told that inflation is "public enemy number one" yet many States policies have driven up the RPI.
Inflation and "User Pays": Local inflation continues to be fuelled by global factors (oil/shipping) and local "stealth taxes." The annual debate over impôt duties (alcohol, tobacco, fuel) remains a key part of every budget cycle.
Financial Services
"I believe maintaining an environment in which our financial services industry can flourish is a primary responsibility of the States."
The Waterfront
"The States, in an effort to progress development on the St Helier waterfront, formed WEB, a wholly owned States company. WEB were challenged to create an internationally regarded waterfront that offered extensive public amenities, accommodating a vibrant residential community. A waterfront that should be progressive and forward looking; a symbol of the new millennium and confidence in our island, and that development should be subject to normal planning procedures and be undertaken at no cost to the taxpayer."
Despite many problems and disappointments such as the unfortunate cinema development, the steam clock, the Les Pas debacle and more recently the proposal for the twenty storey high rise towers, I firmly believe WEB to be the best vehicle to progress this exciting opportunity for Jersey, as there is no realistic alternative.
If elected, I will seek to represent the people of Jersey as a States member on the board of WEB. If given this opportunity, I will put the interests of our island and its people before that of any other interested parties. My family has lived on Jersey for generations; I love and have much pride in our island, I will not see it used or spoilt.
Financial Services
"I believe maintaining an environment in which our financial services industry can flourish is a primary responsibility of the States."
- A modern, compliant well regulated industry is vital to protect our future prosperity.
- A prosperity from which everyone will benefit.
The Shift: While the government still prioritizes finance, there is growing pressure to diversify the economy. Many critics argue that focusing so heavily on one industry has led to "Dutch Disease," where the success of finance has driven up the cost of living (housing, labour) to the point that other sectors, like agriculture and tourism, struggle to survive.
"The States, in an effort to progress development on the St Helier waterfront, formed WEB, a wholly owned States company. WEB were challenged to create an internationally regarded waterfront that offered extensive public amenities, accommodating a vibrant residential community. A waterfront that should be progressive and forward looking; a symbol of the new millennium and confidence in our island, and that development should be subject to normal planning procedures and be undertaken at no cost to the taxpayer."
Despite many problems and disappointments such as the unfortunate cinema development, the steam clock, the Les Pas debacle and more recently the proposal for the twenty storey high rise towers, I firmly believe WEB to be the best vehicle to progress this exciting opportunity for Jersey, as there is no realistic alternative.
If elected, I will seek to represent the people of Jersey as a States member on the board of WEB. If given this opportunity, I will put the interests of our island and its people before that of any other interested parties. My family has lived on Jersey for generations; I love and have much pride in our island, I will not see it used or spoilt.
The Waterfront: The role of WEB (now the Jersey Development Company) in developing the St Helier waterfront is still a central political topic, with recent large-scale residential proposals mirroring the "high-rise" concerns.
While WEB’s original remit was broad, the responsibility for housing in Jersey is now more clearly divided between two Arms-Length Bodies (ALBs)ns of 2005 - JDC and Andium.
Plans for the Waterfront continue despite set backs on plans and cost. Both the Waterfront and Fort Regent represent the continued political challenge of balancing high-cost, long-term infrastructure investment with immediate public concerns over town character and fiscal responsibility.
Taxation
"In an effort to safeguard our economy against competitive international pressure, the States has agreed to change the way it taxes companies and individuals. I broadly support the moves towards the 0-10 tax package and 20% means 20% proposal; however I am deeply concerned with the implications of GST on those in our community on lower incomes."
0-10 Tax Package: This was implemented as proposed and remains the cornerstone of Jersey's corporate tax regime, despite recent international pressure from global minimum tax agreements.
I will support the proposal to exempt basic foodstuffs, medicines and children's clothing from GST, if I can be satisfied that the administrative costs of such a move are not prohibitive.
GST Exemptions (Food/Medicine): This remains a massive point of contention. While prescriptions are zero-rated, the Government of Jersey recently formally rejected a petition to remove GST from food, citing administrative costs and the risk that retailers wouldn't pass on the savings.
Tourism
"Government should view support for tourism, as an investment and not as a liability."
The progress of the industry is very dependent on the States delivering meaningful reductions in harbour dues and landing fees.
Jersey's natural beauty, rich heritage and fascinating history, complemented by high quality hotels, attractions and cheaper travel, being promoted by government but driven by the entrepreneurial skills within the industry will, I believe, revitalise tourism in Jersey.
I will support the proposal to exempt basic foodstuffs, medicines and children's clothing from GST, if I can be satisfied that the administrative costs of such a move are not prohibitive.
GST Exemptions (Food/Medicine): This remains a massive point of contention. While prescriptions are zero-rated, the Government of Jersey recently formally rejected a petition to remove GST from food, citing administrative costs and the risk that retailers wouldn't pass on the savings.
Tourism
"Government should view support for tourism, as an investment and not as a liability."
The progress of the industry is very dependent on the States delivering meaningful reductions in harbour dues and landing fees.
Jersey's natural beauty, rich heritage and fascinating history, complemented by high quality hotels, attractions and cheaper travel, being promoted by government but driven by the entrepreneurial skills within the industry will, I believe, revitalise tourism in Jersey.
Contrary to the 2005 call for "meaningful reductions," port fees have generally followed an inflationary trend to fund massive infrastructure projects. Ports of Jersey argues these fees are essential to fund the Harbour Masterplan and airport upgrades, positioning them as an investment in long-term reliability rather than a liability to current operators.
Cheaper Travel?: While connectivity has expanded with new direct Loganair routes to Bordeaux and Paris, global cost-of-living pressures and local fee increases mean "cheaper travel" remains a significant challenge.
Agriculture
"I believe, agriculture, can once again make a positive contribution to the economy particularly if the States recognise the natural, market led potential of the industry. Viable agriculture is the best method to ensure the proper maintenance of the countryside."
Farmers in Jersey and throughout Europe are leaving the land for economic reasons. The growth and huge purchasing power of the major UK retailers has placed an intolerable financial pressure on many food producers.
- Farmers in Jersey are diversifying and exploring niche markets. A leaner and fitter industry is evolving.
- To keep our magnificent Jersey Cow continued financial support and protection will be required.
"I believe, agriculture, can once again make a positive contribution to the economy particularly if the States recognise the natural, market led potential of the industry. Viable agriculture is the best method to ensure the proper maintenance of the countryside."
In 2026, the 2005 statement on agriculture reads like a prophetic warning that has partially come true, but with a new layer of "green" complexity. The "leaner and fitter" industry has arrived, but it is much smaller than it was twenty years ago.
Beyond the Potato: While the Jersey Royal is still king, farmers have diversified into CBD/Hemp, Jersey tea, and boutique viticulture (wine).Direct-to-Consumer: The "market-led potential" is now seen in the explosion of honesty boxes and farm shops. Local branding (like the "Genuine Jersey" mark) is stronger now than it was in 2005, as islanders are more willing to pay a premium to support local food security.
The "magnificent Jersey Cow" remains a protected icon, but the method of support has changed from simple subsidies to environmental payments. Countryside Management: The States now explicitly recognize the point that "viable agriculture is the best method to ensure the proper maintenance of the countryside.
"The Rural Support Scheme: Instead of just paying for milk volume, the government now pays dairy farmers for "public goods"—like maintaining hedgerows, improving soil health, and carbon sequestration. This reframes the farmer as a "steward of the land" rather than just a food producer.
The dairy industry is under pressure to reduce the carbon footprint of the Jersey herd. Research into sea-lettuce feed additives to reduce methane is a high-tech "niche" that wouldn't have been on the radar in 2005
"Our responsibilities to the environment both locally and globally must not be underestimated."
- Cars emitting high levels of CO2 should be discouraged through taxation.
- Every effort must be made to minimise the volume of waste we produce.
- We must recycle and reuse when environmentally viable to do so.
- Controlling the size of our population is essential to protect our environment and quality of life.
The 2005 stance on the environment has transitioned from "progressive" to the very core of Jersey’s legislative agenda in 2026. However, the methods used to achieve these goals have become much more aggressive.
Carbon Neutral Jersey: The government has committed to Net Zero by 2050. To get there, they have implemented a Vehicle Emissions Duty (VED) where the most polluting cars pay significantly more.
The Phase-Out: The States have signalled the end of new petrol and diesel car sales (aligned with the UK/EU trends for the early 2030s). The focus has shifted from just "taxing" to providing subsidies for Electric Vehicles (EVs).
The Plastic Ban: The Single-Use Plastics Law is now in full effect, banning most plastic bags and straws. Recycling Viability: the caveat "when environmentally viable" is the key debate today. Because Jersey has to ship its recycling off-island, the carbon footprint of the transport sometimes offsets the benefit. Consequently, the government has focused heavily on the Energy from Waste (EfW) plant at La Collette, which turns non-recyclable trash into electricity for the island.
The New Migration Law: In recent years, the government replaced old "housing qualifications" with a more flexible Control of Housing and Work Law. The goal is to limit the "size of the population" by strictly controlling who can work here, but the island faces a paradox: the aging population requires more young health workers, which pushes the population up.
The biggest change since 2005 is the intensity. The States officially declared a Climate Emergency in 2019. This means environmental responsibility is no longer a sub-topic; it now has a dedicated Climate Emergency Fund funded by fuel duties.
Summary: The manifesto is ahead of the curve in 2005. Today, these views are the "mainstream" position, but the debate has moved from whether we should do these things to how fast we can afford to do them without hurting low-income earners (the "Just Transition").
"There is a requirement for affordable three and four bedroom houses, yet we continue building one and two bedroom flats for a market that appears over supplied."
- Young families who aspire to home ownership should be given a chance to purchase.
- Parishes should share the responsibility for small-scale development.
- The States should promote and encourage home ownership whenever possible.
- I will promote the principle of shared equity for first time buyers as a method of helping them into the market. The sale of some States owned housing stock would release essential funding for this initiative, as well as finance to maintain top quality social rented properties.
Housing Affordability: The demand for "affordable three and four bedroom houses" vs. the supply of "one and two bedroom flats" is still the primary housing issue in 2026. Government schemes for first-time buyers, like shared equity, are active but often criticized for not keeping pace with market prices.
This 2005 stance on housing is remarkably relevant in 2026, though the scale of the problem has reached a point that many call a "national emergency." The "over-supply" of flats noted in 2005 has evolved into a town centre dominated by apartments, while the dream of a three-bedroom family home with a garden is further out of reach than ever for young families.
The trend warned about has continued. Developers (including the JDC) have focused heavily on high-density one and two-bedroom apartments in St Helier to meet government "density targets. In 2026, there is a massive "missing middle." Young families are often forced to stay in small flats because the jump to a three-bedroom house (which now averages over £800,000) is financially impossible. Recent political pressure has led to the "Bridging Island Plan," which finally mandates that a higher percentage of new developments must include family-sized units.
The "Parish Homes" Model: Parishes like St Peter and St Ouen have successfully moved forward with small-scale developments on rezoned land, specifically reserved for "first-time buyers with a local connection. This remains controversial because it often involves building on "green fields." The debate in 2026 is whether to protect every field or sacrifice some to keep the next generation of Jersey families from leaving the island.
First-Time Buyer Schemes: The "shared equity" principle is now the cornerstone of the "First Step" scheme, launched in partnership with Andium Homes. The government recently boosted this with a £10 million fund to provide equity loans for first-time buyers. However, demand is so high that the schemes are often oversubscribed within days of opening.
Andium’s Strategy: Andium Homes has been selling some of its older, "unprofitable" housing stock to sitting tenants. The money is then reinvested into "top quality social rented properties" like the massive redevelopment of the La Collette high-rises. Some argue that selling off this stock reduces the total pool of social housing, but the government maintains it is the only way to fund the construction of modern, thermally efficient homes
"Our police must continue to be properly resourced and encouraged to become more efficient and effective. Greater emphasis should be placed on crime prevention, particularly through education."
- The criminal justice system should reflect society's opinion on drug trafficking and dealing; this problem requires a tough approach from our legislators and the courts.
- Street drunkenness, violence and late night disorder are all too common and must be dealt with firmly by the police and courts.
- Parents should be held accountable for the actions of their children.
- We must endeavour to find a method to deny visitors to Jersey, who have serious criminal records, the opportunity to work here.
The law and order situation in Jersey has shifted from the punitive, deterrence-focused approach of 2005 to a model that balances firm enforcement with preventative intervention and rehabilitation.
Hard Sentences: Jersey’s courts still maintain some of the strictest drug-trafficking penalties in the British Isles, with recent 2025/2026 sentences for commercial cocaine and heroin importation ranging from 4 to 17 years.
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB): Jersey now uses specialized civil orders like Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) and the proposed Respect Orders, which allow courts to ban offenders from specific activities or areas without a prior criminal conviction.
The 2005 focus on holding parents accountable has been largely superseded by a "Children First" safeguarding approach.
Youth Justice Roadmap: Jersey is currently consulting on raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 (and eventually 14), prioritizing education and welfare over early prosecution.
Parental Rights: New laws in 2025 and 2026, such as the Children and Civil Status (Amendment) (Jersey) Law, focus more on formalizing parental responsibility and protecting the rights of the child than on punitive measures against parents.
The 2005 desire to deny work to visitors with "serious criminal records" has been integrated into post-Brexit border controls.
Work Permits: Non-local residents must now go through a rigorous work permit and visa process that includes mandatory criminal record disclosures for most sectors.
Enforcement: Jersey’s immigration and customs officials now use shared UK/Interpol databases to monitor entrants, a level of digital surveillance that was not fully realized in 2005.
Repatriation in Jersey is governed by the Repatriation of Prisoners (Jersey) Law 2012. This allows foreign nationals to serve their sentences in their home countries rather than at La Moye prison, which helps manage the island's prison population.
New 2026 Rule (Suspended Sentences): A significant update in March 2026 introduced a new duty to deport foreign criminals even if they are given a suspended sentence of 12 months or more, closing a previous "gap" in enforcement.
"Pollution and congestion are becoming serious issues. I believe it is now time to consider introducing out of town, park and ride schemes."
- Dedicated parking areas could be created, as hubs, servicing a very regular bus transfer to and from St Helier.
- We desperately need a reliable, affordable public transport network, which would significantly improve the quality of life for the residents of St Helier and commuters.
Traffic (Park and Ride): While discussed for decades, Jersey still lacks a comprehensive, permanent "out of town" park and ride network. Small-scale versions exist (like at St Peter's Valley), but the large "dedicated hubs" envisioned for the east and west are currently part of the Island Plan debates, with planners struggling to find suitable land that isn't protected green zone.
The bus service (now operated by LibertyBus) has seen the most dramatic change since 2005.
Reliability: The fleet is now largely electric or fueled by HVO (renewable diesel). Frequency on main corridor routes (St Brelade/St Clement to St Helier) is much higher than in 2005, with buses every 15 minutes during peak times.
Affordability: This is a major 2026 success story. The government introduced £20 annual bus passes for all residents under 21, and the AvanchiCard system has modernized payment, making it significantly cheaper than parking in town.
Congestion: Despite the better buses, congestion is still high because the island's population has grown. The "regular bus transfer" is often caught in the same traffic as the cars, leading to new calls for dedicated bus lanes on the main approach roads.
The Public Sector and Ministerial Government
"The public sector has a reputation for being inefficient. Our excellent civil servants and public sector workers are expected to work in a structure that does not recognize or reward performance or efficiency. Ministerial government will help by placing responsibility for performance and accountability directly in the hands of Ministers, chief officers and their departments."
I am a supporter of ministerial government. I sincerely believe that the new system will allow States members and civil servants to perform their responsibilities to the people of Jersey with greater efficiency and accountability.
Ministerial Government: The "new system" described in the manifesto is now the standard Council of Ministers model. However, debates about its efficiency and the "democratic deficit" continue to be active.
The structure mentioned that "does not recognize or reward performance" underwent a massive overhaul starting in 2018 (known as OneGov).
Centralisation: The civil service was reorganised into a single, tiered hierarchy under a Chief Executive.
The "Inefficiency" Reputation: Despite these reforms, the public perception of inefficiency persists. In 2024 and 2025, there was significant backlash regarding the growth of the public sector, which has seen hundreds of new roles created, often in "middle management" and "communications," while frontline services (like health) remain under pressure.
The manifesto was right that the old system was too slow, but the "new" system has brought its own challenges, mainly a much larger and more expensive administrative "machine." The debate in the 2026 election is not about if we should have Ministers, but how to make those Ministers deliver more with less.
Investment in Youth
"One in nine of our children between the ages of 14 and 17 have been arrested at least once."
Investment in Youth
"One in nine of our children between the ages of 14 and 17 have been arrested at least once."
- Sporting facilities and public play areas are essential for our children's development.
- More focus is required from Education, Sport and Culture through clubs and associations to encourage all types of youth development.
Unlike larger UK cities where youth crime is often systemic, Jersey’s current issue is highly localized. In 2024/2025, the Police Chief revealed that just 10 individuals were responsible for roughly one-third of all youth crime on the island. This makes the 2026 Jersey strategy much more about "targeted intervention" for a handful of families rather than broad, UK-style urban policing.
While the loss of the "Fort" as a central hub has been a blow, it has triggered a massive, island-wide redistribution of facilities, some under pressure. While the loss of the Fort has been disruptive, the 2026 strategy is to move away from "one giant old building" and toward a network of high-tech, specialized hubs like Les Quennevais, Oakfield, and the new Ann Street centre
The Les Quennevais Skatepark in St Brelade is currently the "gold standard" for Jersey youth facilities. Since its 2023 opening, it has seen a major uplift in users across all ages.
Health
"In 2005 the Health and Social Services budget is over £121 million."
I believe we must endeavour to maintain at least this level of funding for what is an excellent health system, but we must challenge the effectiveness of public spending in all areas, including healthcare.
That 2005 figure of £121 million provides a staggering point of comparison for where Jersey is today. In the 2024–2027 Government Plan, the annual budget for Health and Community Services (HCS) has ballooned to over £280 million .Even accounting for inflation, the "effectiveness of public spending" that is mentioned in 2005 is now the single biggest political headache in the island. Despite the massive budget, waiting lists for surgery and mental health services in 2026 remain a primary public complaint, leading many to ask where that extra £160 million is actually going. For the first time, a board of independent experts now oversees the department to ensure it isn't just a "money pit." The government is currently mid-way through a multi-million-pound "Turnaround" program specifically designed to find the efficiencies suggested 21 years ago.
The biggest challenge to spending effectiveness has been the hospital project itself. Jersey has spent over £100 million just on planning, fees, and buying land for various hospital versions (the "Future Hospital," the "Our Hospital" at Overdale, and now the "New Healthcare Facilities" program). The current plan has moved away from one "giant" hospital to a multi-site model, which proponents say is more effective, but critics argue will be even more expensive to run in the long term.
My Nomination Paper:
Proposer
Mr Geoffrey Grime. St Mary,
Seconders.
Mrs Tina Seymour. St Peter.
Mr Jack Livingston. Grouville,
Mrs Monica le Feuvre. St Ouen.
Mr Denis Shaw. Trinity.
Mrs Marleen Pallot. St Lawernce.
Mr Stanley Blandin. St Clement.
Mrs Maureen Rondel. St Brelade.
Mr Mo Vowden. St Helier.
Mrs Evelyn Pullen, St Saviour,
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