States Assembly | Order Paper 5th July 2022

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STATES OF JERSEY ORDER PAPER

TUESDAY 5th JULY 2022 at 9.30 a.m.

F. APPOINTMENT OF MINISTERS, COMMITTEES AND PANELS

Selection of Chief Minister designate. (attached)

MRS. L.M. HART Greffier of the States

30th June 2022

ELECTION OF CHIEF MINISTER DESIGNATE

In accordance with the Standing Orders of the States of Jersey 2 nominations for the post of Chief Minister were received by the Greffier of the States. They are, in the order in which they were received –

Deputy Kristina Louise Moore of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter

Connétable Alan Simon Crowcroft of St. Helier

Connétable Richard Vibert of St. Peter

Connétable Karen Shenton-Stone of St. Martin

Connétable Andrew Nicholas Jehan of St. John

Connétable Marcus O'Donnel Troy of St. Clement

Connétable Mark Anthony Labey of Grouville

Connétable Richard Anthony Kingston Honeycombe of St. Ouen Connétable Robert David Johnson of St. Mary

Deputy Carolyn Fiona Labey of Grouville and St. Martin

Deputy Louise Mary Catherine Doublet of St. Saviour

Deputy Kirsten Francis Morel of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity Deputy Mary Rose Le Hegarat of St. Helier North

Deputy Stephen Morrison Ahier of St. Helier North

Deputy Inna Gardiner of St. Helier North

Deputy Ian Joseph Gorst of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter

Deputy Lyndon John Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter

Deputy Philip Francis Cyril Ozouf of St. Saviour

Deputy David James Warr of St. Helier South

Deputy Helen Mary Miles of St. Brelade

Deputy Jonathan Renouf of St. Brelade

Deputy Rosemary Binet of Grouville and St. Martin

Deputy Hilary Louise Jeune of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity

Deputy Margaret Elaine Millar of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity Deputy Andrea Howell of St. John , St. Lawrence and Trinity

Deputy Thomas John Albert Binet of Grouville and St. Martin

Deputy Alexander Frederick Curtis of St. Clement

Deputy Barbara Ward of St. Clement

Deputy Karen Margaret Wilson of St. Clement

Deputy Lucy Kate Frances Stephenson of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter Deputy Max Brennan Andrews of St. Helier North

Deputy Samuel Yves Mézec of St. Helier South

Deputy Geoffrey Peter Southern of St. Helier Central

Deputy Montfort Tadier of St. Brelade

Deputy Robert James Ward of St. Helier Central

Deputy Carina Soares Alves of St. Helier Central

Deputy Thomas Antony Coles of St. Helier South

Deputy Beatriz Borges de Sousa Vaz Moreno Porée of St. Helier South Deputy Catherine Dolores Curtis of St. Helier Central

Deputy Lyndsay Victoria Feltham of St. Helier Central

Deputy Raluca Stefana Kovacs of St. Saviour

Each candidate has submitted a statement as required by Standing Orders, setting out their vision for a strategic policy and the manner in which they would propose to discharge their responsibilities as Chief Minister. The statements are attached at the Appendix.

Note

Members are reminded that, in accordance with Standing Orders, the Greffier of the States will read out the nominations and the Presiding Officer will then draw lots to determine the order in which the candidates will address the Assembly. Each candidate will address the Assembly for up to 10 minutes followed by up to one hour of questions from members. When one candidate is being questioned the other candidate must withdraw from the Chamber to a place where they cannot hear the proceedings.

When the speeches and questions are concluded, a recorded vote will be taken. As there are not more than two candidates, members will be required to use the electronic voting system to cast their vote to enable the manner in which members have voted to be read out.

The candidate who receives more than half of the votes cast will be elected as Chief Minister designate.

Statement from Deputy Kristina Louise Moore of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter

Vision Statement

Over the centuries, Jersey has achieved great success. The ambition of my proposed government is to ensure we realise our potential in every aspect of island life. Together, as one strong island community, we can put Jersey back on track.

Together, we can create a government that will unite the Assembly and rebuild trust with islanders by promoting openness and transparency and providing better value for the public's money to secure a positive future, where everyone can prosper and thrive. A Government that will lead by listening, listening to the States, listening to the voters, listening to our frontline workers, listening to all.

Jersey has always been an island that has punched above its weight. Our shared objective must be to become the best small island in the world to live, work, raise a family, start a business, enjoy life and grow old with dignity.

I want to start by acknowledging the outgoing Chief Minister and his government. The last four years have been some of the most challenging in our island's history and while I will not pretend to have agreed with many of their decisions, I do not doubt their hard work or commitment.

Of course, the last four years have been a challenge. Brexit, Covid and the war in Ukraine have exacerbated fissures that already existed on our island. But reading through candidates' manifestos before the election, it is clear there is a unity of purpose across the political spectrum. We might disagree on the proposed solutions, but we share a common sense of the challenges and opportunities facing our island. We also agree that we cannot wait to address the big issues over the coming four years:

Housing prices for a three bed house have gone up by 50% in the last four years

The number of islanders waiting for an outpatient appointment in Jersey in June was 33% up on the number of people waiting a year ago.

In 2021, there were more than 8,000 requests for different mental health services on the island.

From the start of the year there has been an approximate 40% rise in the costs of petrol, 50% rise in the cost of diesel and 100% in the cost of heating oil

Our Assembly is a consensus building chamber, which is why we sit in a horseshoe pattern, rather than on opposing sides. With our united focus, we can work together to overcome these issues, get Jersey back on track and move our island forward.

I recognise the responsibility that this election has placed on me and on this Assembly. I accept that responsibility with humility, but also with determination. People have high expectations of us. They are right to do so. Over recent years, government has not done enough to show that it is on the side of ordinary people. The great thing about Jersey is that we are in control of what happens here. We have all the levers we need. Our problems are solvable problems. So I pledge that we WILL make a difference.What kind of island do I want to see at the end of four years? A greener, more prosperous, less divided and happier island. A community more at ease with itself.

An island where, if people leave they do so out of choice not because they can see no future. And an island where they know they can return one day, safe in the knowledge they will find good jobs and affordable homes

An island that is an inspiring beacon of sustainable economic growth, taking a leading role in a just transition to net zero carbon emissions.

An island of opportunity, where business is valued and supported.

An island with a government that is responsive and accessible and where civil servants are liberated to do their best work.

An island where everyone can reach their full potential, not be held back by the shackles of poverty, sub standard housing or by discrimination.

Together we can build this better way. The plan for the first 100 days

We do not have time to waste, if elected Chief Minister, I consider there will be much to do and a new government must start right away. To that end, we would start with 100 days of action. Of course Ministers will need time to prepare themselves and their brief, but we will need to start taking action right away with an ambitious agenda to address some of the biggest challenges facing the island.

In our first hundred days we will:

Address the cost of living crisis by proposing a mini budget that brings forward a suite of measures to deliver targeted support to islanders ahead of Winter.

Undertake a project to set out how islanders can better engage with government, what information is available and how we can improve.
As set out among the Children's Commissioner's many fine proposals include the need to involve young people in policy formulation and decision making. The Children's minister will bring forward proposals on that basis.
On the same point we need to ensure that older people are being listened to and heard. We will establish the Older Persons Living Forum with the Chief Minister to hear first hand the issues facing pensioners and older people across our island.
Hasten our progress towards a living wage for all, by lifting the minimum wage to £10 per hour. WE need to recognise that the island must remain competitive in international markets, for example agriculture.
Support small businesses facing outstanding repayment requests under the Co funded payroll scheme. An appeal process must be introduced. The majority of these cases are genuine and should be treated with sensitivity.
Create a Cabinet Office to coordinate the work of government and strengthen collective decision making.
Introduce limits on the number of houses that can be built over 3000 sq ft for a period of time in order to focus on tackling the housing crisis.
Appoint an assistant minister tasked with conducting an evidence based review to respond within 100 days and advise the Assembly whether changes can be made to the hospital project to deliver a more affordable and appropriate alternative. This review will take place in no more than 100 days and will report back to the States Assembly by 20th October 2022.

10)Establish a public service ombudsperson

11)Introduce legislation and funding to ensure that school children have access to

one one meal a day in school.

12)Bring forward propositions to create prefabricated homes to help address the

island housing crisis.

Create a People & Skills Commission which will monitor the population, availability of accommodation, skills gaps and employment opportunities.

Reorganise government departments to provide for direct accountability of ministers
Introduce a proposition to deliver free sanitary products.
All Ministers will finalise their plans for the coming year and present their plan to the States Assembly.
Open constituency offices.

18)Put in place a plan to open a Cultural Centre, celebrating our cultural identities

and bringing islanders together.

But a government is more than just 100 days, it is for four years.

Within the first 100 days, the next Council of Ministers must agree a Government Programme which will take the place of the Common Strategic Priorities. This will set out the key priorities of the government and what we aim to do and how we will reach them. Moreover each Minister will be asked to publish their plan for the coming year, setting out which policies and legislation they will seek to prioritise.

This programme will address some of the following issues: Addressing the cost of living

The Cost of living crisis was one of the single biggest issues raised by islanders over the last few weeks. We need to immediately address this before the winter brings fresh increases in fuel and food prices.

Many of the costs are driven by external factors, but that only increases pressure on us to help those who need support to weather the worst of this. In the longer term we need to find ways to introduce more competition in food and fuel markets. The Minister for Treasury & Exchequer will put forward a set of proposals in Autumn to explore how we can deliver targeted support for islanders.

A path towards a sustainable and prosperous economy

The last four years have been a challenging time for anyone starting or running a business. We must do everything we can to support Jersey's entrepreneurs. Businesses and other groups across the island are reporting a recruitment crisis. This must be addressed quickly.

I want to see a more proactive and supportive approach from the government towards entrepreneurs. We need to cut red tape and ensure we are providing incentives for start-ups to help businesses grow and thrive. Examples include the ability to easily open bank accounts and the use of States-owned properties to provide low-cost units for startups.

Equally, for our well established finance industry we will devote attention to ensure its continuing succes, by being responsive, innovative and providing the right framework within which it will thrive.

Jersey is fortunate to have the fastest fibre optic network in the world. We are a digital island and we need to ensure that these benefits are felt by businesses, workers and consumers.

Our traditional industries, particularly agriculture and tourism help to protect our beautiful natural environment and bring vibrancy to our daily lives, which increases the resilience of our economy. We would continue to engage with these important groups and take steps to secure their future growth, the focus would be on sustainability, food security and celebrating our heritage.

Education: Children are our future

A child's brain is 90% developed by the time it starts school at the age of 4. That's why it makes sense to invest in the early years, so that our children have the best chance to learn and succeed. This means supporting their families during those years in order to build a stronger society for tomorrow. Offering a good quality education to our young people is particularly important in our community as we need people to cover a wide range of skills, from care to construction and commerce.

The more productive our economy will be when they enter the workforce the better islanders' lifelong learning opportunities, the faster our economy will grow. I believe we need to invest in the first 1001 days by providing childcare as part of a package for key workers. We should also look to extending the school day to allow more time for physical activity, arts, music and one to one extra tuition. The proposals put forward by Reform Jersey in relation to free school meals need to be worked on, to find a deliverable and affordable way to introduce healthy and hot meals in schools. Most importantly, we must invest in children's and young people's mental health services and complete the process of responding to the findings of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry..

A Home for Every Jersey Family

Too many people are leaving our island due to lack of housing. We need to ensure that our children and grandchildren have a place they can call their own. We must have more affordable houses built across the island.

We need a proactive and adaptable model in regards to planning that puts more focus on flexibility. We need a system that enables unused office space to be converted to housing.

We do not need to concrete over jersey to do this, instead a suite of measures can help us increase the level of housing. These measures include allowing the partial development of derelict glasshouse sites to create affordable housing, with 50% of the area being turned into either community gardens or returned to agriculture.

We can redevelop the old Les Quennevais school site for affordable housing. For a limited period, impose strict limits on the number of houses that can be built over 3000 sq ft. Increase the island-wide rate for large properties that enjoy the luxury of space and release undeveloped or empty States-owned sites for redevelopment.

Another element of this is to reintroduce the loan deposit scheme to help young people enter the property market and provide stamp duty breaks for first time buyers and last time buyers, alongside higher rates for buy to let property purchases. We will also consider Introducing a rent to buy scheme for those returning to the island after a period of time in education or work in other jurisdictions and tax allowances against the cost of rent if it is over 30% of a household's income.

We must also protect and support those who are renting by introducing a landlord registration scheme.

Improving our Quality of Life

Over the past four years the island has slipped 5 places in the OECD's Better Life Index. Jersey must return to the top 20. By strengthening our community, focusing on health outcomes and moving from a minimum wage to a Living Wage. We must expand the community garden project, develop food hubs across the island offering seasonal produce and join together our active travel networks to encourage greater use as part of a wider suite of measures to enhance our quality of life.

Protect and enhance our environment

People care passionately about the natural beauty of the island. Our government will protect our natural heritage and move toward a zero waste, circular economy. We will improve water, air and soil quality by minimising use of pollutants and we will continue our drive to reduce carbon emissions in line with our Carbon Neutral Strategy. This will involve securing investment in renewable energy as a power source, replacing the government fleet with electric vehicles. We will set up a grant scheme to get homes insulated. This will also reduce energy bills.

We need to accelerate our move to carbon free transport by legislating to phase out vehicles that burn fossil fuel and to replace the government fleet with electric vehicles, or where practical, use car sharing schemes and bicycles instead.

A Health Service for All

Our frontline healthcare workers deserve endless praise for their valiant efforts over the last four years. They have dealt with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ongoing mental health crisis, all against the backdrop of a recruitment crisis caused by poor culture and the cost of living.

That must change. We will commission an independent inspection to rigorously assess our system to drive standards in our health care service. We will invest more in mental health facilities and services.

An assessment of the most appropriate course of action on the Hospital build will be complete by the end of October. The construction of a new hospital is one of the most important tasks faced by the incoming government. And we will focus tirelessly on achieving an affordable and appropriate solution.

How government will work

We need to bring the government and the States back to the people. If this election demonstrated anything it is the need to fight apathy and build engagement, communication and collaboration.

I was hugely inspired by the quality of candidates who put their name forward and many of the ideas they put in their manifesto. Some of the policies and ideas have been included in this statement. We are going to need everyone, from every party, and every independent across the political spectrum to come together and contribute.

For that is what is best for Jersey, working together for the betterment of all. Of course, we will have robust disagreement, but disagreements are good, we should discuss and debate the best course of action and take the best ideas from that debate. We should not be afraid of debate and discussion but it is vital that we take the tough decisions needed to move Jersey forward.

Too often during the last four years, constructive criticism was dismissed as political opportunism. No government should be afraid of Scrutiny and accountability, in fact we should welcome it. The distance between Scrutiny and Government is not a failing but a strength of our system that gives a different perspective to proposals and decisions. Scrutiny plays a hugely important role in our system and I want to support and enhance that. As Chief Minister, I will meet with the President of Scrutiny every month and hold a quarterly meeting with Scrutiny Chairs to ensure that any and all issues are being addressed. This will be on top of the current scrutiny arrangements in place.

On that basis, I promise to be open and transparent with States Assembly members about the plans and activities of the Government. Each year, the government will put forward the key issues and legislation it will seek to address over the course of the year. At the end of the year, relevant ministers will report back to the States. To strengthen delivery, SPPP will become a Cabinet Office designed to support the COM in delivery.

The Council of Ministers will meet once a month in one of the parishes, (Covering all 12 over the course of the year.) As well as this meeting, there will be a meeting with the Connetable and parish officials and an open evening to meet parishioners.

We will establish a Public Service Ombudsperson. We will establish a cabinet office to coordinate the work of the minister and strengthen decision-making and break down silos. This will not involve hiring additional civil servants. I will appoint an Assistant Chief Minister who will have responsibility for this department and for driving reform and efficiency in government

Our States Assembly and Government must be inclusive. None of us, government or scrutiny, have a monopoly on good ideas or wisdom and we need the best ideas to be incorporated into government plans.

We must strengthen the relationship between the government, States and the Parishes. On that basis, I will ask the Chair of the Comite de Connetables to be an ex-officio member of the Council of Ministers. The COM will also meet once a month in one of our 12 parishes and undertake public meetings with voters.

All Ministers will be asked to keep an open door policy for States members. If there is a disagreement I will ask ministers to consider alternatives with proposers rather than dismissing out of hand or asking for a review. In four years time, I want everyone who was elected to the States to have felt that their contribution, insight and ideas have been recognised.

Ultimately I want to lead a Council of Ministers that works with the States Assembly. That is open and transparent and responds to change. I want to ensure that we are taking the best ideas and offering challenges and solutions. Working as an Assembly that is united.

I think my vision is actually best expressed by an email I received from a voter on Thursday morning, who said:

"I believe you want to build a better island for all, the island I came to 30 years ago but the modern version where people are proud to say I'm from Jersey"

I believe in the huge potential of Jersey, our better days are ahead of us, but we must take on some of the big challenges facing our island. I want to lead a government that is open, transparent, inclusive, accountable and most importantly, will get things done. In four years time, I want you and the voters to be able to recognise that the States has made a real difference in improving people's lives and setting us on a path of renewal and growth.

Statement from Deputy Samuel Yves Mézec of St. Helier South

The New Deal' for Jersey

Following the greatest public health crisis that Jersey has faced in a century and the second economiccrisisinjust overadecade,we nowmustdeterminehow we build a better future together for our Island.

On 22nd June, rather than voting for a return to business as usual' the public of Jersey clearly voted for change. The States Assembly must respect that verdict and ensure that the next government does not resemble the outgoing one.

I am standing for Chief Minister because I can offer a comprehensive vision for government, based on the New Deal for Jersey'. Along with nine other candidates who were successfully elected, I helped construct a manifesto that can serve as a blueprint for the next Common Strategic Policy and enable the efficient production of a Government Plan to take Jersey forward.

The New Deal' invokes the historic example of President F. D. Roosevelt's efforts to bring the United States out of the Great Depression, whilst realigning how theirgovernmentandeconomyworkedto deliver a fairer society and provide resilience against future crises. This contrasts with the austerity' approach adopted by many governments after the 2008 financial crash, which was a resounding failure. Jersey must learn from these examples. A government that I lead will maintain the mobilisation of efforts we used to get through the pandemic and redirect it to the other challenges that Jersey faces.

If elected as Jersey's Chief Minister,Iwillseektoformagovernment committed to principles of social and economic justice. We will propose a Common Strategic Policy with the following key priorities –

CreateaMoreEqualSociety
Prepare Jersey for the Challenges of the Future
Restore Government Accountability and Democracy

Attached to this statement is the Reform Jersey 2022 election manifesto, which provides greater detail on the policy commitmentswhichwillfall under each of these headlines.

The key pledges in this manifesto are tangible, deliverable and affordable. They can be implemented as a matter of course and provide certainty on some key reforms which can take place relatively quickly and begin improving the lives of the people we serve.

The wider ambitions in this manifesto can be built upon in collaboration with independent States Members,manyofwhom havebeenelectedwiththeirownstrongmandates for change and a desire to see more progressive policies from government.

Also attached to this statement is Reform Jersey's Housing Crisis Action Plan'. This plan has been carefully constructed, drawing upon the research and conclusions reached in the Housing Policy Development Board's report (R.63/2021). Jersey's housing crisis has reached such a point of urgency now, that we cannot afford to spend more time deliberating, consulting and reviewing. We must act immediately. If elected Chief Minister, the new Housing Minister and I will present this report to officers and instruct that an emergency task force be established immediately to implement this plan.

How I will discharge my responsibilities as Chief Minister

I will seek to run a cohesive government which is effective anddecisive.Thisgovernmentwillbe inclusive of the talent there is across the Assembly and will reflect the diversityofthecommunitywe represent. But crucially, it will be driven by values of social and economic justice.

I believe that it is through oursharedendeavourthatwecancreate an environment in which

everyone can achieve their potential, irrespective of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or social background. I believe in speaking up for the vulnerable and encouraging those with aspiration. I wish to see Jersey prosper in a manner that will improve the wellbeing of all current and future citizens. I hope to work with members who share these values and will work hard to put them into practice in government.

My style of leadership is collaborative. By virtue of the fact that I helped form a political party at the start of my political career, I have demonstrated my unshakable commitment to teamwork. I recognise that I do not possess all the answers and that I learn from others. I have always consulted withcolleaguesbeforepursuingpolitical actionsandhavebenefitted immensely from their

feedback. As Chief Minister, I will extend that approach to independent members who are not part of my political party.

That collaboration must also extend to Scrutiny Panels too. I have served on both sides of the Scrutiny table, having been a member and chair of various panels over the last 8 years, and having been a Minister scrutinised by two panels. I understand the importance of Scrutiny for democratic accountability and will ensure that members of the government respect this process. By being open and proactive with Scrutiny, outcomes canbeimprovedasmistakes can be identified earlier and resolved without unpleasant political arguments.

Being in government is not a right, it is a privilege. That is why I believe Ministers must make the most of the time they have in office to achieve what they set out to, based on their democratic mandates. A government led by me would not seek to continue outsourcing decisionmaking to consultants, as has become far too routine under previous governments. Ministers must make decisions and be accountable for them. I will seek to reform the way the Ministerial Support Unit and Communications Unit operate to ensure that Ministers receive adequate support.

I believe that the government and individual politicians must be capableofstandinguptovested intereststodeliverwhat isrightforthepeopleweserve,even in the face of well organised

opposition from those who stand to lose out because of change. Change can be difficult, but it is often necessary in order to take society forward. I have shown that I am not afraid to take on vested interests.

Lastly, I believe that in a small jurisdiction like Jersey it is important that members of the government are open and accessible, so they can remain in touch with the people they serve. If I am elected Chief Minister, I intend to continue with my weekly constituency surgeries. I will also ensure that I am accessible to the media (including citizens media) and avoidapprovingquotesattributedto a "spokesperson" rather than an elected member who is accountable for whatever story is being reported.

About Reform Jersey

Reform Jersey is a social democratic political party, registered in the Royal Court under the Political Parties (Registration) (Jersey) Law 2008. We are also registered with the Information Commission and the Jersey Financial Services Commission.

Office holders:

Leader – Sam Mézec

Chairperson – Lyndsay Feltham Secretary – Anne Southern Treasurer – Mericia Andrade Equalities Officer – James Videgrain

Manifesto

This document constitutes the Reform Jersey 2022 general election manifesto. If enough Reform Jersey candidates are elected to lead the next Government of Jersey, the Common Strategic Policy proposed in the States Assembly later this year will be based on the contents of this document.

We have produced supplementary documents to provide greater detail on our plan for government. These can be found on our website. This includes:

- Housing Crisis Action Plan

- Funding Our Priorities

Further election commitments may be found in the responses we will endeavour to provide to interest groups upon request. We will provide these responses on our website.

The contents of this manifesto have been developed by Reform Jersey's members in consultation with wider society and approved by Reform Jersey's election candidates.

Suite 14, Bourne House Francis Street

St Helier

JE2 4QA

For more information, visit - www.reformjersey.je ©Reform Jersey 2022

........................................................................................................................................ 26 Our Candidates .............................................................................................................. 26

After facing our greatest public health crisis in a century and our second major economic crisis in just over a decade, this election now presents the people of Jersey with an opportunity to determine how we can build a better future together for our Island.

Reform Jersey's manifesto proposes that we do not simply return to business as usual', but instead we advocate a New Deal' for Jersey.

A New Deal' means using the same mobilisation of efforts we used to get through the pandemic to ensure our recovery is built on fairness and justice, whilst we resolve the other crises that threaten our future prosperity as a community.

Following the previous economic crisis of 2008, Jersey's government attempted to build a road to recovery based on austerity policies, which meant large scale cuts in spending on essential public services. This approach failed then and must not be repeated now.

Despite committing to "reduce income inequality and improve the standard of living", the current government has failed to take meaningful action to achieve this and, in some cases, has actively made things worse. They leave office having delivered a more unequal society than they began with.

The next government will have many challenges to overcome. The gap between the rich and poor has grown whilst poverty continues to rise, and wages have stagnated for a decade. Jersey faces a crippling housing crisis which is depriving many of hope of a decent life here. There is also so much more which needs to be done to truly Put Children First', respond to the climate crisis and fix our healthcare system.

Unlike other candidates and parties, Reform Jersey recognises that we will not resolve these issues with platitudes. We need a clear programme for change.

If Reform Jersey leads the next government, we will propose a Common Strategic Policy based on these three priorities:

• Create a More Equal Society

• Prepare Jersey for the Challenges of the Future, and

• Restore Government Accountability and Democracy.

With this manifesto, we are being clear with the public of Jersey on where we stand and what our members will seek to do if elected. This is our contract with the public.

A better Jersey is possible. We must not squander this opportunity to bring about a future for our Island which we can have confidence will deliver us all better lives. We need a New Deal' for Jersey. Together we can achieve this.

Reform Jersey is a social democratic party which stands for social and economic justice.

We believe that it is through our shared endeavour that we can create an environment in which everyone can achieve their potential, irrespective of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or social background.

We believe in speaking up for the vulnerable and encouraging those with aspiration. We wish to see Jersey prosper in a manner that will improve the wellbeing of all current and future citizens.

We believe that Jersey's strengths can be harnessed by a progressive government to deliver a society where we can all thrive.

Over the last four years, Reform Jersey's five elected States Members have worked hard to deliver on the pledges made in our previous manifesto. We have served in Government and Scrutiny, and have been responsible for bringing key propositions to the Assembly aimed at improving life for Islanders.

Our successes in this term of office have included:

- Reducing the cost of seeing a GP for low-income Islanders, including pensioners and children

- Freezing social housing rents and lowering the rent caps to a more affordable level

- Introducing a low-cost student bus pass and through fares'

- Reforming our voting system to make it more equitable

- Securing funding for a new youth and community centre in town

- Introducing a compensation scheme for people suffering from Mesothelioma as a result of contact with asbestos

- Increasing funding to protect our culture and heritage

We have attempted to achieve more of our election commitments but have often been opposed by a majority of States Members. With more Reform Jersey members in the Assembly, we could achieve so much more.

On top of the broader policies contained within this manifesto, we are committing to nine specific pledges which Reform Jersey members will propose during this term of office. Each pledge is tangible, deliverable and affordable. Each will correspond with a States proposition or Ministerial Order if our members are elected to government.

Living Wage Housing Crisis

Affordable Healthcare

GST on food and essential items

School meals Fair taxes

Improved public transport

Energy efficient homes

Government accountability

We will raise the Minimum Wage to the Living Wage', starting by raising it to £10 per hour from 1st October 2022.

We will declare a housing crisis in the first week of office and require officers to implement our Housing Crisis Action Plan' as a matter of urgency.

We will expand the Health Access Scheme' so Islanders with long-term illnesses can access cheaper GP appointments. We will work towards abolishing the fee entirely for all Islanders.

We will remove GST from food and essential items by 2023. This will be done on the same basis as the VAT exemptions in the UK.

We will ensure that all States primary schools provide a hot and nutritious meal daily for all their students by September 2023.

We will reform our tax system to ensure taxes are progressive and fair. This will include raising the top rate for the highest earners, reducing it for middle earners, and protecting the lowest earners.

We will renegotiate the contract for Jersey's bus service to provide more accessible, affordable and environmentally friendly public transport, alongside active travel options.

We will establish a programme to support households to transition to low-carbon heating systems.

We will establish a Public Services Ombudsman to enable Islanders to seek real redress when failed by a government service.

Equality is the core principle which inspires Reform Jersey's politics. If Reform Jersey is elected to the next government, we will ensure that it is at the top of the policy agenda for the next four years.

Under successive governments, Jersey has become a more unequal society. Whilst the number of millionaires has multiplied, the number of Islanders living in relative poverty has increased. Foodbank usage has gone up. Real terms earnings have been frozen for a decade. Many Islanders are considering leaving Jersey because the cost of living has left them without hope that they will ever see their standard of living improve.

If no meaningful action is taken to reverse these trends, Jersey risks facing terminal decline.

The current States Assembly has rejected multiple propositions brought by Reform Jersey during the last term of office to reduce income inequality. The data provided in the Income Distribution Analysis objectively demonstrates that Jersey has gone backwards under the current government leadership.

The next government must commit to delivering a more equal society and be prepared to implement policies which will achieve this. These policies must see those on the lowest incomes brought out of relative poverty so they may enjoy the dignity of a decent standard of living and increase their participation in our economy. These must support those middle earners who have felt squeezed over this last decade. These policies can be balanced by asking those with very high incomes to contribute their fair share.

As well as reducing income inequality, the government must also tackle social inequality. Irrespective of their background, everyone in Jersey should have the ability to reach their potential and thrive. The government must lead the way in creating an environment where that is possible. We will work to ensure that all Islanders have access to adequate housing, food, education, healthcare and transport as a right.

Low Pay and Insecure Work

Jersey's Minimum Wage is a poverty wage. A full-time worker on the Minimum Wage is not able to afford the essentials without having to claim benefits to make ends meet. Our lowest paid workers are worse off than their UK counterparts, due to our Minimum Wage having fallen behind theirs, and to make matters worse, our cost of living remains higher too.

Reform Jersey will end poverty pay by bringing the Minimum Wage up to the Living Wage'. We will start by increasing the Minimum Wage to £10 an hour on 1st October and commit to matching it to the Living Wage soon after. We pledge to lodge the proposition to achieve this on the day that our successful candidates are sworn into office after the election. This will therefore be the first proposition that the new States Assembly will debate.

Whilst Reform Jersey States Members have secured some progress in the limitation of exploitative zero-hours contracts (such as the outlawing of exclusivity clauses') more must be done to prevent workers who face insecurity in work. We will introduce further restrictions on the exploitative use of zero-hours contracts and curb gig economy' practices to reduce insecurity at work.

Addressing the Housing Crisis

Reform Jersey will provide better protection and support for renters and aspiring homeowners alike and seek to end the growing issue of homelessness in our society.

Jersey faces a serious housing crisis which threatens our future prosperity. The cost of housing is the biggest contributing factor for pushing people into relative poverty. Many business leaders have provided testimonies on the effect the crisis is having on their ability to recruit and retain talented staff. Many young Jersey people have bravely spoken out about their intentions to leave because they have lost hope of ever being able to own their home. Jersey's homelessness charities have revealed that an increasing number of their clients are in full-time work but cannot afford a home. This cannot go on and must be resolved as a matter of urgency.

Other political parties have stated their intention to solve the crisis by merely building more homes. But the cause of the crisis is more complex than simply the number of homes in Jersey. The government must adopt a much bolder approach and be prepared to challenge vested interests.

We have published a comprehensive Housing Crisis Action Plan' which will be presented to senior civil servants immediately after the new government is appointed. We pledge that we will officially declare a housing crisis in the first week of office and begin implementing our action plan.

Our plan will see European-style regulations brought in to provide greater control on the affordability of rental homes in the private sector. We will introduce a Rent Tribunal and legislate to provide for open-ended tenancies, so tenants can have long-term security in their homes, knowing they cannot be forced out without good reason. We will also introduce a social housing rents system based on affordability, rather than a percentage of the market value. We will establish a landlord licensing scheme (covering all sectors) to ensure that homes must meet minimum standards on health and safety before being rented out.

We will assist Islanders in achieving their aspirations to own their homes by increasing the supply of affordable homes exclusively for first time buyers. We will do this by increasing the proportion of homes which are reserved for first time buyers on private developments and by ensuring that all the homes built on publicly owned land must be for affordable or sheltered housing instead of buy-to-let. This will include reviewing the current proposals for South Hill and the Waterfront. We will also investigate measures to reduce foreign ownership of residential properties in Jersey.

We will legislate to require landlords who choose to sell their properties to offer them to the sitting tenant in the first instance. For those tenants who wish to buy their home but cannot secure a mortgage for the full value of the property, we will set up a fund to allow them to secure it through shared equity with Andium Homes. This fund can be topped up through the proceeds of an Empty Homes Tax and higher rates of Stamp Duty for investment properties.

We will implement the recommendations of the Homelessness Strategy and provide support to those who face a crisis which leads them to losing their home.

Healthcare and Wellbeing

Reform Jersey is committed to the principle of a health service which provides timely and high-quality care, and is free at the point of need for all.

Sadly, parts of the health service are currently failing to meet the standards we expect in a wealthy society. Many of the facilities are dated and costing millions to maintain. Staff morale is low, and the service is struggling with retention of healthcare professionals. Waiting lists are too long, leading to many people feeling that paying for private healthcare is their only option, whilst those who cannot afford to do so have to suffer for months or years.

The Jersey Care Model' rightly focuses on providing care at home where people feel most comfortable and reducing dependence on the hospital services when a hospital stay could be avoided. However, there are great concerns on how this will be delivered. We are already seeing worrying signs that user-pays fees for certain services may increase, and that greater pressure will be put on charities without adequate support provided to them. Reform Jersey will staunchly oppose any attempt to increase user- pays fees. Where services are provided by charities or third parties on behalf of the government, we will work closely with them to ensure they are well co-ordinated and properly funded. We will ensure that hospital services are available to those who need them, including in-patient care where clinically appropriate and that services are adequately funded and resourced to avoid pressure on clinicians to discharge patients prematurely because of capacity constraints.

Reform Jersey believes that access to primary healthcare must be made cheaper for the patient, to proactively support the health needs and wellbeing of Islanders. When people seek health advice or treatment in the earlier stages of an illness, it improves their chances of recovery and ultimately costs the service less. We pledge to expand the Health Access Scheme' to deliver cheaper access to GP appointments for those with long-term health conditions. We will also bring forward plans to abolish the fee entirely for all Islanders in this term of office.

We must make our health service an attractive workplace for dedicated and qualified staff. This must include being more realistic about the pay and conditions of healthcare staff if we want to retain them and improve morale. We will seek the implementation of an Ethical Care Charter' to ensure care workers have appropriate working conditions which enable them to carry out their roles safely, without the unacceptable levels of pressure that some face because of their workload.

Jersey cannot afford to waste more time and money on the new hospital project. Reform Jersey has consistently argued for a town site for the hospital and had advocated using the Waterfront and Esplanade areas, before they were earmarked for offices instead. We do not regard the Overdale site as being ideal. But rather than committing to spend tens of millions of pounds on consultants to restart the new hospital project for the third time (as some are proposing), we will instead focus on delivering healthcare services, getting waiting lists down and supporting our healthcare professionals. We believe that with restraint and proper political oversight, the capital expenditure for the new hospital can be managed more efficiently.

Our mental health services are also under severe pressure and waiting lists for mental health support services such as Jersey Talking Therapies must be reduced. In-patient and outpatient adult mental health facilities are outdated and not fit for purpose. The Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel recently produced a report on Jersey's mental health services which provides an excellent set of recommendations to deliver some of the changes which are desperately needed. We will take those recommendations forward and ensure that they are included in the next Government Plan as an urgent priority.

Lastly, we will seek to establish a progressive Substance Use Strategy' focused on the principle of harm reduction and ensuring the provision of information and education on drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and appropriate health care for those with substance use problems. We will support the decriminalisation of cannabis as part of a wider harm reduction strategy, as there is a growing body of evidence that criminalisation is counterproductive and more costly in the long run.

Tax and Social Security

Reform Jersey is committed to progressive taxation to fund our public services and create a fairer society.

Nowhere in Jersey are the structures which enshrine inequality clearer than in our tax system. For many of Jersey's taxes, the wealthier people pay a lower rate on their income than middle and low income earners. This is unfair and restricts our ability to invest in the services which we all rely on, whether we are rich or poor.

We pledge to reform our Income Tax system by removing the '20 means 20' calculation and allowing all taxpayers to claim tax allowances. This will enable us to reduce the marginal rate from 26% to 25%, providing a tax cut for middle earners, whilst asking the highest earners to contribute more. The majority of taxpayers will be better off under these proposals. We will also abolish the caps on Social Security Contributions and the Long Term Care Tax which currently allow those earning above £250,000 a year to pay a lower effective rate than everyone else. This will provide extra revenue which we will direct into our health service.

Companies incorporated in Jersey should also pay their fair share. The international moves to apply a minimum Corporation Tax rate of 15% provide an excellent opportunity for Jersey to seek a greater contribution from companies based here, without the risk that they will relocate to other low-tax jurisdictions. This will enable us to further invest in public services and reduce our reliance on debt. We understand the importance of the finance industry to our local economy and will not seek to make the Island uncompetitive.

The idea that attracting wealthy people to the Island will encourage a valuable revenue stream is outdated and contributes to other issues such as housing and population. There has been no evidence supplied by government to suggest that the ongoing continuation of this scheme benefits our community. We will suspend the High Value Resident scheme, until a full and comprehensive cost/ benefit review has been undertaken. At the very least, their minimum tax contribution should be raised significantly.

We pledge to remove GST from food and essential items. Reform Jersey has always held the view that GST is a regressive tax which hurts those on the lowest incomes the most. Whilst the cost of living has been rising and the use of foodbanks has increased, there can be no moral case for retaining this tax on food.

Lastly, we will instigate a full review of the Income Support system. We have grave concerns about the way support is provided to those on the lowest incomes, including how frequent bureaucratic mistakes are leading to people being pushed into poverty. We will also reintroduce in-person appointments at the Customer and Local Services Department and introduce a crisis desk' where Islanders can turn for help and advice.

Putting Children First

Jersey still has much to do to fulfil its commitments following the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry. Progress appears to have stalled and shocking stories are frequently being told in the media about cases where children are not having their rights upheld by the government.

Residential care for young offenders is inadequate, and in government we will put a replacement facility as an urgent priority within our first Government Plan. The current Greenfields site should be established as a centre for children and families, providing specialist therapeutic support, short break services and emergency beds. We will seek to work with the States of Jersey Police, Children's Services, the Youth Service and the Children's Commissioner to prevent young people encountering law enforcement, when other services would be much more appropriate.

We will seek to directly incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Jersey law, so that every government department or public institution is obliged to uphold children's rights at all times.

The recent extension of free nursery hours for 3- to 4-year-olds from 20 to 30 per week has been a success. The Early Years Policy Development Board recommended that the government establish a long-term plan to move to a universal education offer for 2- to 3-year-olds as well. Reform Jersey accepts this recommendation and will work with nursery care providers and charities to develop this plan.

Jersey's Youth Service provides an amazing provision for children and young people across the Island. However, the service is not enshrined in law. Previous reviews have recommended making the Youth Service a statutory provision, which would include protecting its funding. Reform Jersey supports this.

Lastly, in order to address the worrying levels of food poverty among children, we pledge to expand the school meals programme into every States primary school by September 2023.

Supporting Jersey's Pensioners

Statistics recently published demonstrated that over a third of Jersey's pensioners are living in relative poverty. This is double the rate in the UK. Reform Jersey believes this is unacceptable and must be addressed. The rising cost of living will only exacerbate this for many households which are reliant on the States pension as their only source of income.

Previous governments have rolled back support for pensioners by abolishing the pensioners' enhanced tax allowance and scaling back the pensioners' Christmas Bonus. Reform Jersey strongly opposed these changes at the time.

Our policies on rent regulation and GST on food will alleviate some of these cost measures for pensioners on the lowest incomes. An actuarial review on the Social Security Fund is due to be published next year. We will oppose any attempt to undermine the value of the States pension arising from this.

Diversity and Inclusion

The public discourse on issues of equality, diversity and anti-discrimination has improved significantly in recent years, but our politics has not caught up with it. Many of our laws remain out of date and the government is not as sensitive as it should be on issues which disproportionately affect minority groups.

Reform Jersey will always stand with Islanders from minority groups against any form of discrimination and prejudice they may face. We will never stand silent on these issues out of political convenience, and in government we will seek to put our principles of

solidarity into practice. An "Equalities" portfolio should be clearly allocated to a Minister to lead on this.

The next government must iron out the remaining clauses in our legislation which discriminate against LGBTQ+ people.

Reform Jersey will investigate establishing an Equality and Human Rights Commission. This body will be empowered to challenge discriminatory laws and practices, to ensure that we are fulfilling our human rights obligations.

Workers' Rights

Anyone who goes to work must be treated with dignity and respect by their employers. This must include good terms and conditions at work, as well as the right to access representation from a trade union. Many of Jersey's employment law provisions provide a lower standard of protection than workers receive in other jurisdictions.

We will extend the limitation times and maximum payment thresholds for claims at the Employment Tribunal. We will reduce the qualifying period for unfair dismissal claims so workers gain these rights earlier. We will legislate to introduce an equivalent of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations, which protect the terms and conditions of workers when their employer is taken over by another business.

Trade unions provide representation for their members in negotiations on pay and conditions, as well as support during collective and individual disputes. There should be protections in law to enable trade unions to operate and organise in any workplace, to advance the interests of the workers.

Reform Jersey Ministers will regularly meet face-to-face with the union representatives of the workers in their departments to better understand the challenges staff face and to work collaboratively to improve services.

Celebrating Arts, Culture and Heritage

Jersey has always had a unique and strong sense of its own cultural identity, shaped over centuries by its geography, people and traditions. We are a multicultural community and our cultural identity is influenced by the many cultures who have made Jersey their home.

Reform Jersey places high value on the arts, culture and heritage, in all their forms. In 2019, we succeeded in putting an end to a decade of funding cuts to this sector by securing permanent and sustainable funding of the arts and culture sector, fixing spending at a guaranteed 1% of overall government revenue expenditure. We are already starting to see the fruits of this investment with a reinvigorated cultural and creative sector. We will ensure that there is a suitable negotiation process in place so that organisations in receipt of regular funding from government are able to present their funding requirements, and that good governance is in place around any government funding. We will also include all arts and cultural organisations, as well as practitioners, in the development of the cultural strategy.

Sadly, during the pandemic, many of our arts and cultural events could not take place and facilities were closed. The Jersey Opera House still remains closed and not enough is being done by the government to enable the doors to open. The government has not put adequate plans in place for the ongoing maintenance of arts and cultural facilities. Reform Jersey will work with the arts and cultural organisations to ensure that there is a suitable maintenance plan in place for these important community facilities so that we do not see a repeat of the current issue. We will investigate the feasibility of establishing an arts and culture hub in Gloucester Street when plans are developed for the current hospital site.

Events are a great way to bring our Island's culture and heritage to life. The Corn Riots Festival, a special bank holiday celebration of music, culture and the community is an example of how the celebration of our heritage can bring people together.

One of the things that makes Jersey unique is that we have our own native language. We should all be proud of this. In the past term of office, we secured additional resources for Jèrriais and the new team of teachers not only keep the language alive in schools, but they have done so much in terms of community outreach, to promote Jèrriais culture in all its forms.

We also recognise the contribution that other minority communities have made and continue to make to island life. As a party, we work closely with many groups to make sure that all cultures are represented, and we celebrate the vibrancy and diversity they also bring to the Island's identity.

Sports and Fitness

Ensuring that access to sports facilities is fully inclusive and accessible to all is paramount in order to support the population in leading longer and healthier lives and increasing representation of all parts of the community in Island sports.

Islanders are proud of our sporting achievements, and we recognise that sporting clubs and associations play a vital role in developing our sportspeople, and keeping Islanders fit and well. We will work with all clubs and associations to ensure that the Island has a sports strategy that supports both with the provision of facilities and funding to provide accessible community programmes.

Jersey is facing many challenges which threaten our future prosperity and wellbeing as a community. How we respond to technological advances, climate change and international politics will determine what kind of Island society future generations will be able to enjoy.

Our future prosperity is not inevitable. It can only be secured by governments taking the necessary decisions to secure it.

Reform Jersey wants to ensure that the next government takes the necessary action to get Jersey prepared to meet these future challenges. The response to the pandemic has shown what is possible. Jersey can be nimble and react quickly when it is essential. We should use this same mobilisation of efforts to resolve the other challenges we are facing.

Whilst these challenges may seem daunting, they also present huge opportunities to strengthen our economy and improve our quality of life. With greater training and educational opportunities for Islanders, we will improve productivity in our economy and reduce the need for inward migration. By embracing technological advances, we can streamline many services and deliver greater accessibility and value for money. By achieving our commitments on reaching net-zero carbon emissions, we will reduce pollution, enhance our environment and reduce energy and transport bills.

But none of these things will be achieved by accident. The next government must not be complacent about these challenges. It must be determined to deliver on this vision and make the most of the talent and expertise we have in Jersey.

We owe it to Jersey's young people especially, that we act today to ensure they can look forward to a future in a prosperous and sustainable Island, where they have all the opportunities they need to thrive and live happy lives.

A New Deal for Education in Jersey

Education is the greatest investment a government can make in its people. Reform Jersey wishes to see an education system which enables every Islander to reach their full potential and provides opportunities for everyone to gain the skills they need to thrive in the modern economy.

Any investment, if effectively directed, will pay dividends in the long-term development of a highly skilled community. Only then do we have the chance to stabilise the population and provide for the long term needs of Jersey.

In preceding years there has been review after review into the way forward for our education system. It is time to stop reviewing and start acting to build the best lifelong education system possible for Jersey. The School Funding Review has identified ways to provide schools with greater resourcing and to address the inequalities there are in pupil funding, including access to mental health and wellbeing support. There is also an ongoing school sites review, which aims to identify the best way to provide better school facilities for children in town. Reform Jersey has secured a commitment to reserve the end of the gas works site for a new school, with the rest of the site used to extend the Millennium Park. This would also enable the current Springfield School site to be turned into a small park.

Reform Jersey remains committed to ensuring that a young person's background does not affect their ability to go to university on the grounds of cost. We will ensure that access to Student Finance is protected and enhanced. We must also develop a Further Education campus to provide modern facilities for post-16 students that has clear links with our local economy.

Education systems exist beyond the UK. We must take the best practice from around the world and what is best in Jersey now to build a model that best suits Jersey and its needs. We must address the false separation between academic and vocational education that does not fit modern economies. We will seek to widen the scope of qualifications offered to embrace the need for vocational training for the Island's needs and the changing needs of a digital world.

As more people wish to retrain as they get older so can they advance their career, we must ensure that appropriate life-long learning opportunities are available. We must consult with businesses to identify the areas where skills shortages are developing, which we can then target with training.

We will increase collaboration across schools and sectors to use the skilled resources of the teaching profession we have on Island and act to train, retain and attract the best teachers for our children. We must focus staff training directly into classrooms rather than into the layers of management.

The Green New Deal

Climate change represents an existential crisis which will have a huge effect on small Island societies like ours. Whilst Jersey may have only a small impact on global carbon emissions, the measures we can take locally to play our part could have a big impact in improving our quality of life by enhancing our environment, reducing bills and creating new jobs.

Since the States of Jersey declared a climate emergency in May 2019, there have been successive delays, long-awaited reports and dilutions of the proposed response. Meanwhile the combined crises due to climate change and loss of biodiversity have been getting worse, both worldwide and locally. If elected to government, Reform Jersey will end the delays and put into action a coherent response.

Reform Jersey is committed to the principle of a just transition', where we do not fund the net-zero carbon agenda through measures which will cause economic hardship for those who already struggle with the cost of living.

A major source of Jersey's carbon emissions and pollution comes from motor traffic powered by fossil fuels. We will provide positive incentives for Islanders to use alternative methods of traveling which are convenient and affordable. This will include improving our cycling infrastructure, safer walking pathways and an improved bus service. The contract with Liberty Bus will be up for renewal in this term of office. We pledge to renegotiate this contract to build on the work we have done to reduce bus fares across the board and introduce electric buses to the network.

The next biggest contributor to our carbon emissions is the heating of buildings which are inadequately insulated. We will work closely with Jersey Electricity to speed up the transition towards electric heating of homes (including using renewable systems) and the phasing out of gas. The government will need to work closely with Jersey Gas to plan carefully for the withdrawal of gas for use in domestic heating. Building standards must include the requirement for new buildings to be adequately insulated in order to reduce energy use. We pledge to introduce a subsidy to support households transitioning to low carbon heating systems. This will be funded through the Climate Emergency Fund and will provide for a more generous subsidy to low-income households.

The government should lead the way and insist that the developments built by the companies we own meet the highest standards on insulation and thermal efficiency. Ensuring that all new-builds and conversions meet the highest standards of energy efficiency via Building Regulations future proofs our housing stock.

We must enable local farming to move to ecologically regenerative practices, including composting, reduced waste and improving soil life, structure and composition. We will support ending the use of harmful, polluting chemicals in the countryside. We will increase the amount of land for native species to flourish and for people to form a better personal relationship with our wild native fauna and flora which is vital for Jersey's biodiversity.

On top of this, Jersey is able to make a very significant difference due to our finance industry. Hundreds of billions of pounds worth of investment flow through Jersey into global markets. None of this should still be funding fossil fuels and environmental degradation. In government we will set the example by putting plans in place to divest from such investments as soon as possible.

As the economic environment changes to a more environmentally aware one, some businesses will need to change the way they operate. We will do all that we can to help existing businesses reassess their methods and priorities, and to encourage and help start-ups that have promise. Reform Jersey will support the move to a more environmentally sustainable economy. We will do all that we can to make sure that the necessary training is available and to help individuals develop their skills to support more environmentally aware practices in their workplaces, or even transition from one career to a new one.

Reform Jersey will offer an affordable, just, and manageable transition to an economy that works for all in the long term. The creation of a cleaner, greener and less expensive environment for Jersey residents is the key to this just transition.

An Economy That Works For All

Jersey's economy is the source of our financial prosperity and should serve to make life better for all Islanders. Yet over the last decade we have become a more unequal Island with growing poverty. Productivity has fallen and much of the economic growth we have had has been driven by unsustainable population growth.

Reform Jersey believes that the next government must shape our economy to be ready to take advantage of the changes which are on the horizon and ensure that the benefit of it is felt by everyone. With technological advances and a growing international desire to combat climate change, Jersey could find itself well placed to position itself as a world leader in digital services and green finance'.

To stay at the forefront of the development of the digital economy, we must constantly keep our local legislation under review and be ready to update our regulatory frameworks to accommodate new technology.

The States recently agreed to set up a Technology Innovation Fund to support new businesses in this area. We must not waste this opportunity or enable the money to be used as a slush fund for vanity projects. We will ensure that governance arrangements are put in place to ensure that this funding goes towards initiatives which will support other areas of our economy (such as agriculture and hospitality) and our overarching priority of sustainable economic growth. We will also ensure that there is a transparent application process for entities receiving funds, and that any funding allocation is done on the basis that there is a clear business case which outlines what the return on our investment will be.

We can further support the digital economy by committing to more local procurement for digital services and resolving our long running digital government programme, which has seen its budget grow but provided very little tangible progress.

As countries around the world are waking up to the threat of climate change and more governments are requiring tougher action on this, there is now an exciting opportunity to direct our finance industry towards Green Finance'.

Jersey Finance produced an excellent report "Jersey for Good – a Sustainable Future" which proposes rewiring the industry towards more sustainable goals, including reducing inequality and combating climate change. Reform Jersey commits to working with Jersey Finance and other industry bodies to ensure government support and the provision of appropriate legal frameworks to support this agenda.

We can start by applying much of this to our government, by increasing the requirements for environmental and sustainability assessments on our own investments, including the Strategic Reserve.

Where the government provides direct support to businesses, it should align with our commitments to support our aims on sustainability, training and pay and conditions.

Population Policy

Reform Jersey believes that Jersey needs a population policy based on sustainability, opportunity and inclusivity, which enables us to protect our environment, economy and quality of life.

Successive governments have implemented a growth policy which has seen our population increase at unsustainable levels, without providing the investment in infrastructure to mitigate the effect this policy has on our environment and quality of life.

The current government has provided no solutions for an alternative policy but has instead suggested we may need to consider raising the pension age and increasing Social Security Contributions on working people. Neither of these proposals are acceptable to Reform Jersey.

Reform Jersey commits to abandoning the growth' policy and instead establishing a stable' population policy through the adoption of a work permit system. This permit will be attached to the worker, rather than the employer. This will ensure the worker is protected from exploitation whilst here and allows them to be flexible in finding the most appropriate place in our economy. This will also enable us to end the two-tier rental market, which currently restricts part of our population to a limited supply of homes which are often expensive and unsuitable.

Our ability to deliver on this policy without harming our economy or access to the skills we need for our public services will be tied into our policies to address the cost of living and invest in education and training.

Jersey's Place in the World

Even though we are a small Island, Reform Jersey believes that we have a positive role to play in the world. Our financial services industry can facilitate initiatives designed to combat climate change and eliminate poverty. Our sanctions regime has led to the immediate freezing of Russian assets in response to the war in Ukraine. Our Overseas Aid Commission is changing lives in many places affected by natural disasters and war. All of these are things which we should be proud of.

Jersey's close constitutional relationship with the United Kingdom has been fundamental to our prosperity, as well as our security. We will not support any moves towards independence from the United Kingdom. But we will defend Jersey's interests at all levels, including where our interests may not align with the United Kingdom.

We will seek to develop stronger relationships with our neighbours, both in the Channel Islands and France, where there are opportunities for mutual benefit. In particular, by working more closely with Guernsey, we could have a louder voice in negotiations on matters which affect us both (such as the continued fallout of Brexit) and potentially achieve better value for money for some services by delivering economies of scale. We will also seek to work with the regional governments in Brittany and Normandy to promote greater economic and cultural engagement.

Lastly, although Jersey's foreign policy is aligned with the UK, we will not take part in any positive publicity for representatives of regimes with unacceptable human rights records.

A fundamental part of the New Deal' approach which Reform Jersey advocates is to put more power in the hands of ordinary citizens to determine how their community is run. We believe that a more democratic and accountable government system is more likely to lead to improved standards and better-quality decisions being made.

Those who take power in government should use it to empower the communities they represent.

Jersey's democratic system is broken. Voter engagement rates are among the lowest in the OECD. Our election turnouts are very low and opinion polling regularly shows that the public hold their politicians in low regard. This is unsurprising when Islanders routinely witness their government involved in embarrassing scandals and wasting large amounts of public money.

But without public participation, governments are likely to become more out of touch and unresponsive to what people want. The disengagement and lack of trust in our democratic institutions is ultimately what leads to bad governments.

Reform Jersey was formed to change the way government works. We believe that a more equitable voting system and party politics will bring transparency and accountability to the ballot box and empower voters to be able to choose what kind of government they want. The establishment of other political parties in advance of this election is a vindication of our long-held position.

There are many improvements which still need to be made to our electoral system and government structure, to ensure that the people of Jersey can have faith that their government is working effectively and efficiently towards a vision they have confidence in.

Reform of the Structure of Government

The reforms which were made as part of the One Gov' agenda of the previous government CEO were meant to deliver more efficiencies, get departments working more collaboratively and improve accountability. But they appear to have achieved the opposite. The next government will sadly have to reverse much of this damage.

Ministerial portfolios should be aligned to government departments and there should be a line of accountability leading from each civil servant to a Minister. Reform Jersey Ministers will agree performance targets for each Director General, and these targets will be published and performance reviewed quarterly. Our Ministers will also speak for themselves and not rely on spokespeople to provide public comment.

To improve effective collaboration between ministerial portfolios, we will establish a Cabinet Office, which will bring together the Ministerial Support Unit with the Strategic Policy and Planning Unit, so the entire Council of Ministers can work more effectively together to deliver on their policies in the most efficient way. The creation of the Cabinet Office will not require any additional civil service posts.

To improve accountability in government, we pledge to support the establishment of a Public Services Ombudsman. The current government had committed to setting one up in the previous term of office but has failed to do so. We will ensure that adequate funding is provided in the Government Plan to ensure that this body can be up and running as soon as practical.

Government Spending and Procurement

Governments should spend within their means and ensure good value for money. Yet many Islanders feel that the government wastes large amounts of public money on consultants and projects which never seem to reach their conclusion. Much of this arises from Ministers being reluctant to take decisions and stand by them.

We want to see improvements to the government's procurement policies to ensure greater transparency and value for money. This will include publishing the intention to engage consultants. Where there is a need for recurring advisory services, these may be better provided in-house. In government, we will undertake a full review of all current contracts with external consultants and determine if the consultancy is essential and providing good value for money. Where required, we will instruct People and Corporate Services to train existing staff so that reliance on external consultants is further reduced.

We want to ensure that government financial planning and reporting is more transparent. Future Government Plans should not be based on broad Heads of Expenditure, which can be used to cover up wasteful expenditure and poor financial management within departments. To prevent this, we will instruct Directors General to provide a full breakdown of all departmental expenditure.

An Efficient and Effective Public Sector

The States of Jersey is the Island's biggest employer. It is essential that the public have trust in the people that provide government services, and that government services are provided efficiently. Staff morale within the public sector is low in a large number of areas, and this has a negative effect on service delivery in addition to costing the taxpayer more if trained and experience staff are not retained.

The Target Operating Model put in place by the former CEO has put a lot of strain on key areas within the public sector, and has not proved to deliver the outcomes that we were promised. If elected to government, Reform Jersey will require each Director General to demonstrate that their departmental structure is the most appropriate, and that essential and frontline services are the top priority when it comes to staffing levels.

We will also review the current role and function of the States Employment Board and related administration, with a view to establishing an independent Public Sector Commission to issue expected public sector standards and related policies, and to be the first referral point for breaches. Establishing an independent entity will address any conflicts of interest that appear to exist within the current structure. No increase of staffing will be required as posts will be moved within the current People and Corporate Services Department.

Electoral Reform

Reform Jersey believes that every voter should have an equal vote no matter what part of the Island they live in, and that our system should be simple and user-friendly.

We will make our voting system simpler and fairer by establishing a States Assembly made up of one category of elected member, elected in equal-sized constituencies. We will work across the Assembly to bring forward a proposition to achieve this, whilst addressing the concerns that some may have with the Constables no longer automatically being States Members. An independent Boundaries Commission will ensure that the distribution of members is equitable.

We will improve access to voting by expanding access to polling stations across the Island, making voter registration automatic and introducing the ability to vote online. We will pick up the work which began during this term of office to introduce political education in schools, but which was disrupted due to the pandemic.

Elected members should always make themselves accessible to their constituents. We will support provisions being put in place to enable Deputies to set up constituency offices to support casework and engagement in the communities they represent.

Separation of Powers

It is essential in a healthy democracy that the different branches of government have a degree of separation between them, so they can hold each other to account and ensure no branch exceeds its powers. The dual roles of the Bailiff (as head of the Royal Court and States Assembly) and the Attorney General (as chief prosecutor and the government's legal advisor) are incompatible with this principle and must be changed.

Reform Jersey will establish an elected Speaker to preside over the States Assembly, leaving the Bailiff to focus on their duties as head of the court and Jersey's civic head. We will also establish an independent prosecutor, not connected to a political role in government.

The Parishes

Jersey's Parish system is an important part of our culture and heritage. We believe that the Constables should no longer automatically serve in the States Assembly. This will provide an opportunity to enhance the role the Parishes play in providing local services and support in their communities.

We will enhance democracy in the Parishes by introducing the ability for Parishes to hold mini-referendums on important business which is not appropriate to be dealt with purely at a meeting on one evening when many residents are not able to attend. We will also align the elections of Parish roles across the Island, to promote greater participation and awareness of Parish affairs.

Lastly, we will establish an elected Municipal Council in St Helier with bye-law making powers. This body will replace the 200-year-old structure currently operating in the Town Hall which is no longer fit for purpose. An elected council will be better placed to lead on the provision of local services to town residents and businesses, promote economic activity and host cultural events. The role of Councillors will be unpaid and directly elected by Parishioners.

Every Reform Jersey candidate is committed to delivering on our election manifesto and playing a full role in the States Assembly. Our party went through a robust process to select our candidates to ensure that each of them has the skills necessary to become effective States Members.

This is the most diverse slate of candidates that we have ever had. We have a broad range of ages represented. Some of our candidates have had successful careers in the public service, whilst others have run private businesses. Two of our candidates have served in the Armed Forces. Several are part of Jersey's minority communities. All of them share a passion for social and economic justice.

We are proud to endorse this team.

St Clement Ken Addison

St Brelade Nigel Jones Monty Tadier

St Saviour Raluca Kovacs

St Helier North Trevor Pointon

St Mary, St Ouen and St Peter Helen Evans

St Helier South Tom Coles

Sam Mézec Beatriz Porée

St Helier Central Carina Alves Catherine Curtis Lyndsay Feltham Geoff Southern Rob Ward

This document constitutes our action plan to resolve Jersey's housing crisis. It will be delivered to senior government officers immediately upon the establishment of a Reform Jersey-led government, along with instructions that an emergency task force is to be established to oversee the implementation of this plan as a matter of urgency.

We will:

- Lower the threshold at which point private developers have to reserve a proportion of the homes they build to be sold to first-time-buyers and downsizers rather than buy-to-let investors

- Change planning rules to require all the homes built on publicly owned land to be for affordable housing, instead of being sold to investors

- Require the States of Jersey Development Company to review their proposals for developments on South Hill and the Waterfront to maximise the contribution of affordable homes delivered

- Introduce a right of first refusal for private tenants when their landlord decides to sell the home they live in, so the tenant has the first offer to buy it, and set up a fund to support them to purchase their homes through shared equity

- Release government-owned land to our affordable housing providers to increase their projected supply of new homes over the coming years

- Introduce European-style rent stabilisation' by banning inflationary rent increases and setting up a Rent Tribunal

- Improve long-term security for tenants by legislating to make tenancies open-ended by default

- Review moving to a means-tested system for setting social housing rents

- Introduce a landlord licensing scheme and regulation of letting agents, to secure basic health and safety standards across the rental sector and remove bad landlords from the market

- Tax homes which are left empty for too long, to get them back on the market

Housing is a human right. Everybody in Jersey should be supported to have a secure and affordable roof above their head, which gives them the stability they need to be able to thrive and enjoy a happy life.

By ensuring that everyone's housing needs are adequately met, our society will benefit on multiple levels. By relieving Islanders of the stress which is brought about by the unaffordability of housing, we will be supporting an improvement in mental health and wellbeing. By ensuring that children grow up in good quality homes which are secure, we will be supporting their developmental needs. Both of these things will further act as economic enablers, providing a happier and more productive workforce as well as stronger communities where people feel settled.

But right now, Jersey has a housing crisis. Our housing market works in the interests of investors, not for ordinary Islanders. Every House Price Index report published in recent years has shown that housing of all tenures has become more unaffordable.

We are seeing more and more young people leaving the Island, having lost hope that they will ever be able to own their own homes here. Business leaders are frequently speaking out about the impact the cost of housing has on recruitment. If these issues are not resolved, Jersey has a bleak future ahead of it.

Some commentators say that this is simply a problem of supply and demand', which could be resolved merely by increasing supply. This is the same flawed thinking which is largely to blame for the fact we have a crisis in the first place. Increasing the supply is only part of the solution. Resolving the crisis will require more intelligent government interventions where the market alone is not capable of meeting the public need.

The foundations for this Housing Crisis Action Plan can be found in the work of the Housing Policy Development Board, which Reform Jersey members served on. This board provided evidence-based recommendations after deep engagement with stakeholders and examination of policies used in other jurisdictions. Nothing in this plan is radical or untested.

As well as pledging to go further than any other party is proposing, we believe that Reform Jersey's record over the last term of office shows that only we can be trusted to have the courage to do what is necessary to resolve this crisis, including standing up to vested interests which have held back progress in recent years.

We will; expand homeownership, improve tenants' rights and work towards ending homelessness in Jersey.

With this plan, we are aiming to give Islanders hope that things will start getting better and convince those who are considering leaving Jersey that they can have a prosperous future here.

The government must take action to increase the opportunities for Islanders to get on the housing ladder.

Homeownership has fallen further out of reach for Islanders in recent years, including for those on above-average incomes. Whilst buy-to-let investment has proliferated due to low interest rates and easier access to mortgages for those who already own a home, many Islanders have been squeezed out of the market.

Andium's Home Buy' scheme (where homes are sold via shared equity to applicants through a means-tested gateway) is extremely popular but is unable to meet the current demand because of a lack of access to sites to build these homes. Despite this, the government has become part of the problem by using publicly-owned land to build expensive investment apartments, rather than affordable homes.

Reform Jersey will expand the number of homes provided for first-time-buyers and downsizers by requiring that all homes which are built on publicly-owned land must be for sale through shared equity, rented at a sub-market rate or provided as sheltered homes. This will include requiring the States of Jersey Development Company to withdraw its current proposals to develop on South Hill and the Waterfront, and reconsider how it can maximise the proportion of affordable homes on these sites. We will work with Andium to provide a pipeline of government-owned sites so they can increase their target for new homes from 3,000 to 5,000.

The release of more publicly-owned land for affordable housing will also reduce the increased pressure we have seen in recent years to rezone green fields for housing. We will also ensure that housing projects are considered alongside public service and infrastructure provision, to ensure that children living in newly built homes have safe and easy access to schools, and amenities are nearby to reduce pressure on traffic.

Reform Jersey will secure a greater provision of affordable homes from the private sector by revisiting the recently approved Bridging Island Plan document and amending the policy that requires that private developers reserve a proportion of the homes they build for exclusive access for first-time buyers, rather than investors, on large developments. This currently only affects developments of 50+ homes. We will lower this threshold.

Reform Jersey will introduce a right of first refusal' for private sector tenants when their landlords choose to sell the property. This will require the home to be offered at market rate to the tenant in the first instance to offer them the chance to buy it, before it is offered to another investor. This will also prevent investors from pre-emptively issuing notice to their tenants to leave their homes so they can sell the property as vacant possession'.

We will establish a fund (to be administered by Andium) to support young people to purchase homes through shared equity. Those homes will then become first-time-buyer homes in perpetuity.

The recent Census data revealed that last year there were 4,000 empty residential properties in Jersey. Whilst many of these would have been empty for legitimate reasons, those that are left empty without good reason are exacerbating the crisis. Reform Jersey will introduce an empty property tax, to incentivise those who leave properties empty for long periods of time without a reasonable excuse to put them back on the market.

Lastly, we will investigate ways to reduce the number of homes owned by foreign investors. During this term of office, future foreign buy-to-let was banned through the ending of new share transfer properties. But this does not affect older properties which were sold in this way. We must ensure that over the coming years, ownership of those homes is transferred to on-Island owners.

For those renting, either with the intention of renting long term or with the desire to buy their own home one day, the experience of renting must be improved to offer tenants security of tenure and affordability to enable them to live with a level of comfort equivalent to that of homeownership.

Legal protections for tenants in Jersey currently fall well short of that which is provided in nearby jurisdictions where there is a more common culture of renting. This has led to rampant rental inflation and many tenants refraining from complaining about their housing conditions in case they are subjected to a revenge eviction.

Reform Jersey will pass a new Residential Tenancy Law to establish open-ended tenancies as standard practice, where tenants can expect to enjoy long-term security in their homes, without the risk of being asked to leave at short notice for no reason. This will also include rent stabilisation' where rent increases are capped at either inflation or the rise in average earnings (whichever is lower). We will also establish a Rent Tribunal to adjudicate on rent disputes. These policies are commonplace in many parts of Europe which have succeeded in maintaining housing affordability in the rental sector. They will also provide long-term certainty for both tenants and landlords.

Reform Jersey will pass regulations to introduce a landlord licensing scheme, to ensure that all rental homes meet basic health and safety standards and provide support to landlords whose properties are at risk of falling beneath minimum standards through no fault of their own. These regulations have already been written and the Environmental Health Department stands ready to implement them, but they have been rejected by the current States Assembly in favour instead of a landlord's register', which would simply act as another bureaucratic system for data collection, rather than a tool to improve rental housing standards.

Reform Jersey will consult with letting agents and tenants to introduce a regulatory framework for letting agents to improve standards in the industry and prevent those with no experience or qualifications from entering the market.

Lastly, the restriction which prevent non-qualified residents from having access to the whole rental market is discriminatory and is putting increasing pressure on those residents who are restricted in their options for renting a home. When people move to Jersey in line with our population policy, they should be able to rent in all parts of the market.

Jersey must provide better support for those facing homelessness. The Jersey Homelessness Strategic Board identified many sensible recommendations which would help prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place and provide better support for those who do lose their homes.

The measures we have proposed to improve affordability and security in housing will help many avoid the circumstances which can lead to them becoming homeless. But we must put in place better support for those with vulnerabilities which see them risk losing their homes.

Reform Jersey will support expanding the government's Housing Advice Service to provide dedicated key workers who will bring together the relevant government services to support those facing homelessness and respond to crises when they occur.

Concerns have been raised about vulnerable people who are facing domestic violence but cannot leave their home because they do not possess housing qualifications and cannot find somewhere alternative to rent. In particular, this can have devastating consequences for children. Reform Jersey will support a new housing qualification which can be issued by social services in emergency circumstances, to assist those having to leave homes which are unsafe for them and their families.