A ST Helier Deputy and scrutiny panel chair will be looking to retain her seat in June.
Deputy Catherine Curtis was first elected to the States Assembly in 2022 when her party, Reform Jersey, secured a clean sweep of the five St Helier Central seats.
She has served as chair of the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel and vice-chair of the Assisted Dying and Government and Parishes Review panels. Last week, Deputy Curtis successfully brought a proposition to crack down on the use of illegal Jersey Lifts.
Deputy Curtis said: “Since I was elected as a Deputy, I’ve hugely enjoyed my interactions with many Islanders at my weekly constituency meetings. I have also been very busy with many aspects of parish work.
“I think my background experience as a business entrepreneur and in various social roles gives me a unique perspective of Jersey society. I believe we are all very fortunate to live in this wonderful Island and I am keen to see everyone benefit from the ‘treasures’ we have here. Fairness is my watch word.
“During my term I have been 100% committed and have focused on Scrutiny work where I have been very active leading the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel throughout the term. I have led the Online Safety Review, the Secondary Education Funding Review, and the Apprenticeships and Lifelong Learning Review. If re-elected I will continue to ensure that the reviews’ recommendations are followed through and important promises met.”
There are four seats on offer in St Helier Central at June’s election, with her party colleague Deputy Geoff Southern previously confirming he will be stepping down, while Education Minister Rob Ward is standing for Constable. The other incumbents are Social Security Minister Lyndsay Feltham and Assistant Chief Minister Carina Alves.
Deputy Curtis added: “Personally, I have brought successful propositions to the States to get the Reuse Centre at La Colette up and running and to get a Lifetime Driving Ban in place for drivers who seriously injure or kill someone.
“At a macro level I share many people’s concerns about our public spending. I have also been seeking to consider not just the expense side but also how to increase revenues.
“In this latter regard I have recently started an investigation into the potential for our own Jersey Bank. I have engaged with senior industry figures and civil servants. If re-elected then I hope to take this work forward and mirror successes in other jurisdictions such as Gibraltar.
“However, my first interest will remain the people of St Helier and then the wider community. And all underpinned by fairness.
A number of Reform Jersey members have now confirmed their election intentions. As well as Deputy Ward, party leader and Housing Minister Sam Mézec will be standing for Senator, while Deputies Tom Coles and Raluca Kovacs will both be seeking returns to the St Helier South and St Saviour seats respectively.
The election will be held on Sunday 7 June
