2014 - A Manfiesto in 500 words

Personal
In the past six years, I have worked hard to deliver my manifesto pledges, including delivering improvements in housing standards and legal aid reforms. I am currently serving on the Access to Justice review, to provide Jersey with an accessible and affordable justice system. If re-elected, I wish to continue this work as well as focusing on the areas below.

Policies

Economy
A strong, sustainable and diversified economy is key for the success of Jersey and the well being of its residents. I will promote investment in tourism and cultural events, as well as supporting a transparent, ethical and sustainable finance sector as the backbone of our economy.

Jobs
A priority for Reform Jersey is to reduce unemployment and tackle the high cost of living. We support the introduction of a ‘Living Wage’, higher than the minimum wage, so that people can live without relying on income support. We support more help for working parents and will push for a full 26 weeks statutory maternity leave, so that family life is given the support that it needs. There must be a focus on vocational training for young people. We are committed to tackling the inappropriate use of zero-hour contracts.

Education
I wish to ensure that all children, no matter what their background or financial means, get access to a quality level of education. I am keen to promote early years learning of modern languages and improve primary school maths teaching. We must also do more to encourage life-long learning.

Health

Without our health, we have nothing. Many do not visit the GP when they need to because of cost. I will push for free GP visits and more affordable dentistry. It is unacceptable that our aging residents often have to wait so long for operations. This needs more investment to reduce waiting times. I will fight for improvements in mental health care and better provision for those with a disability and for their carers.

Public Services and Taxation
I will oppose any cuts to services that will hurt the vulnerable and those on low/fixed incomes, including pensioners. Reform Jersey candidates will oppose any increase in GST. If spending does need to increase, it is important that it does not hit ‘middle Jersey’.
We must look at progressive methods of taxation, including the restructuring of social security contributions: if contributions were actually levied at a flat rate, without a cap on earnings, a lower rate of 5% could be applied, benefiting the vast majority, whilst yielding an extra £7.5 million a year.

St Brelade
I pledge to work with the Constable and new deputies to maintain the unique beauty and community of our parish. I will oppose inappropriate development and push for a sustainable population policy for the island.

Referendum
Constables play an important role is island life. However, the roles of municipal head and being a politician are two separate jobs and should entail two separate elections. As such, I will be voting ‘no thanks’ on 15 October.

Deputy Tadier - A Manifesto in 600 Words

It has been my privilege to serve as a Deputy for St Brelade for the past three years – a parish in which I was brought up and where I also live.

I also run parish surgeries and have taken up constituency matters on a whole range of issues. During that time, I have been active both in the States and the Parish. I have served on various States bodies including Scrutiny (Education and Home Affairs), Privileges and Procedures, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

  

We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful and safe place to live. However, there are many issues that need urgent attention.

Presently, we do not have a government which represents the interests of ordinary people. We need an urgent change of direction if we are to address the looming problems of unaffordable housing, high cost of living, population growth, peak oil, health care and unemployment.

In the past ten years we have seen the burden of taxation shift from corporations to ordinary residents. We now have a situation where foreign companies trading in Jersey now paynothing, whilst residents face a reduction in their standard of living due to the deliberate policies of GST, 20 means 20 tax and increased fuel and food prices. The result is that the majority of workers and families have seen their value of their income decrease in real terms.

In order to remedy this, we need to elect competent and compassionate States Members who represent the interests of ordinary people, workers and families, and not simply the interests of the very wealthy, as is currently the case.  

 In the States, some of my recent achievements include the establishment of a working party to define a code of practice for debt collection agencies; stopping the sale of the ‘Old Library’ (donated to the public in 1737) and working with Senator Le Gresley and Deputy Bob Hill to secure the important independent committee of inquiry into Jersey’s historic child abuse to 

ensure justice for victims and that we learn from past mistakes.

Recent Achievements:

I continue to press for greater equality and fairness in society and pressed for the introduction of a discrimination law.

I have remained true to my 2008 manifesto – opposing GST and its increase; fighting for FREE TV licenses for over-75s; opposing the folly of population increase and lobbying for more open government.

On parish matters, I have consistently opposed inappropriate development, including in Les Quennevais, Petit Port and St Brelade’s bay. I continue to work to address speeding, congestion and parking issues in the district.

Future projects:  If re-elected, I want to address the fundamental problems of affordable housing in Jersey. As a young States Member, I am very much aware of the crippling nature of high rents and the inability of many to own their own homes. Part of the problem is that property has been allowed to become a commodity, when in essence, it is a social necessity.

There is an urgent need for sheltered housing in the parish. In order to address this, it is important that delayed developments such as Lesquende are progressed swiftly.

I will also seek for greater priority to be given to mental health issues, youth development and elderly care

Personal Details: 

Age:                           32

Place of Birth:            Jersey

Education:                  Les Quennevais, Hautlieu, University of Sheffield

Employment history:  Jersey Tourism, Jersey Telecom, EFL Teacher

                                   Director of Translation Company; States Member

Languages:                 French, German, Spanish, Portuguese

Hobbies/Interests:        Music, Theatre, Swimming, Politics.