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STATES OF JERSEY
SENATORS AND DEPUTIES: REMOVAL OF CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENT (P.75/2020) – SECOND AMENDMENT
Lodged au Greffe on 7th July 2020 by Deputy M.R. Higgins of St. Helier
STATES GREFFE
2020 P.75 Amd.(2)
SENATORS AND DEPUTIES: REMOVAL OF CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENT (P.75/2020) – SECOND AMENDMENT
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PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (b) –
Before paragraph (b), insert the following new paragraph and re-designate the subsequent paragraph accordingly –
"(b) that, for a person who is Jersey-born, there should be no
requirement to have been ordinarily resident in Jersey for a set period of time prior to election day to be eligible for election to the States;"
DEPUTY M.R. HIGGINS OF ST. HELIER
Note: After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –
THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion
- that the requirement that Senators and Deputies must be British citizens should be removed;
- that, for a person who is Jersey-born, there should be norequirement to have been ordinarily resident in Jersey for a setperiod of time prior to election day to be eligible for election tothe States; and
- to request the Privileges and Procedures Committee to bring forward the necessary legislative changes to the States of Jersey Law 2005.
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P.75/2020 Amd.(2)
REPORT
There are many reasons why our children leave the Island: attending further and higher education; lack of employment prospects in Jersey; to marry someone from outside the Island; to be able to purchase a house of their own and for far less money than here; to emigrate to other countries which they believe will give them higher living standards or better opportunities for themselves and their children; or to travel and see the world.
Many who go to University don't return to Jersey immediately on completion of their studies as they may have met their spouses whilst they have been away or because their career paths are not available in the Island. It could be that they knew that there were no jobs in Jersey in their chosen fields and don't want to work in the finance industry which is the default position for most of our graduates. It could be because they needed to work overseas to build up their knowledge and experience, or to become fully trained in their chosen professions.
Whatever their reasons for going or staying away many at some point will want return home to the Island. Perhaps because they know it is a good place for their children to grow up, or because nowhere else matches the Island's beauty, or because they want to be near their parents, siblings or extended family.
Many of the returnees will have knowledge, skills and experience that will be of great benefit or value to the Island. Some may want to contribute through business, their professions or interests. Others may believe they can contribute best through the States Assembly and it is my belief that we should not put impediments in the way of them standing for the States.
Due to the requirements to be resident in the Island for a period of six months up to and including the day of election they could easily miss out on standing for the States if they mis-time their return to the Island and have to wait a further four years and their immediate contribution lost.
Financial and manpower implications
There are no financial or manpower implications for the States arising from the adoption of this Amendment.
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P.75/2020 Amd.(2)