01 January 2015

Out with the Old, in with the New




It's January 1st. Again. So let me start by wishing you all Health and Happiness for 2015! 
2014 was an interesting year and busy year and it was a campaign year. Not only were there general elections in Jersey, but also two by-elections early in the year, which saw two progressive candidates elected, and one hold onto his seat in the Autumn.

For me, the 15th October 2014 marked the beginning of my third consecutive term as a States Member. However, it was the first time I had stood and been elected as a member of an official political party, namely Reform Jersey. I was particularly pleased to have had an excellent running mate in Beatriz Porée. Although she did not get elected this time around, it was the first time that electors of St Brelade no. 2 district were able to vote for two Party candidates of the left. 391 voters chose to vote for Beatriz, in a very tough field of runners and a total of 1281 were cast for Reform Jersey in our district.



Reform Jersey Candidate, Beatriz Porée
The results overall were modest. Whilst the party did not managed any gains in terms of seats, it did manage to hold on to its three existing members and their seats. At the same time, thousands of votes were cast throughout the island, for the first time, for the five female candidates: Anne Southern, Laura Millen, Shannen Kerrigan, Debbie Hardisty and Beatriz (above). But one is reminded, that it is not unusual for parliamentarians not to get in at their first attempts. 

So the challenge for us at Reform Jersey in 2015 and beyond is to keep up the hard work and build on current successes. This is a challenge which we three States Members - (Deputy Mézec, Deputy Southern and myself) relish - and in which the wider membership will also be involved.

I would like to thank all of those who have provided personal and political support throughout 2014 - you know who you are. I and we could not have done it without you.

If you would like to join us in 2015 in our efforts to bring greater accountability, transparency and fairness to Jersey and its government, then please do get in touch.


Dates for your diaries:

We will be having a social and fundraising evening at the Town Hall on Saturday 24th January, including a Pub Quiz. More info to follow.

Surgeries:

Drop-in clinics for St Brelade no.2 constituents will be held every Monday from 12-1pm at Communicare, starting on 19th January. 






9 comments:

  1. Montfort.

    Happy New Year to you, and yours, and hope 2015 will bring about some much needed change in the political direction of this Island.

    I am in negotiations with Lord Hamilton Rawley Tooting-Jones III (THE LORD) in the hope of securing a regular political slot on VFC with his commentary on selected major political events...........

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  2. "Out with the Old, in with the New"

    I'd say your presence in the States over the next 3 years will be as noticeable as a fly buzzing around. Reform Jersey were hacked to pieces in the last elections so keep on taking the medicine!

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  3. Its moved direction.
    RIGHT.

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  4. @anon I would not say as noticeable as a fly, but perhaps a mosquito. As the Dalai Lama once said: 'If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.'

    We may be small in number, but we have already shown that we are three of the most active States Members when it comes to holding the executive to account and lodging propositions to stand up for the socio-economic interests of ordinary islanders. We will not be going away any time soon. We will continue to create a 'buzz' in Jersey politics for years to come.

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  5. Montfort.

    Preview of up-coming interview with US journalist Leah McGrath Goodman discussing Jersey Child Abuse INQUIRY.

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  6. As long as the same people keep on trying to re-invent themselves at each election in re-naming their political parties then the Establishment have nothing to fear.

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  7. Well done Monty. It's obvious that the electors of St Brelade recognise your worth and appreciate your hard work over the past 6 years and the need for Party Politics in the island. Keep going, and don't worry about the haters!

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  8. Montfort.

    Lord Reginald Hamilton Tooting Rawley Jones III and Democracy day.........JERSEY STYLE.

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