A GREEN theme ran through an engaging and well-attended Deputy hustings in St Brelade on Monday evening, with each of the four candidates bringing something distinct to the political table, whether that be age, experience, party cohesion or independence.
In the south-western parish, teenage newcomer Gabriel Raimondo, who is aligned to the Value Jersey ‘movement’, is vying for one of three seats on offer, along with former politician John Young, who has returned to the fray as a member of Reform Jersey; sitting independent Deputy Jonathan Renouf; and fellow district representative and Reform Jersey member Deputy Montfort Tadier.
Perhaps unsurprisingly with two former Environment Ministers in the mix – Messrs Young and Renouf – renewable energy, the Island Plan, farming, biodiversity and the future of the Nude Dunes building at La Pulente were all subjects raised by the audience at Les Quennevais School.
However, other well-considered questions included the candidates’ stance on combatting Violence Against Women and Girls, who they would want to be Chief Minister, gender equality and the state of the main road in St Brelade’s Bay.
Setting out their stalls at the beginning, Mr Raimondo said Jersey “was heading in the wrong direction” and young people needed to be encouraged to stay in the Island by driving down costs and creating job opportunities.
Mr Young said that he was seeking a return to the States because he felt the Assembly needed more experienced heads. He added that the environment was the Island’s greatest asset and safeguards needed to be in place to prevent overdevelopment.
Describing himself as “the only fully independent candidate in this election”, Deputy Renouf said he had strived to enhance the sense of community in St Brelade, and while not everyone would agree with him, he lived his values and welcomed being challenged.
Deputy Tadier argued that previous political leaders had failed to set out a long-term vision for the Island. “Jersey is not broken but it can do much better, and I want to be part of that change,” he said.
Asked about their support for a windfarm proposed off Jersey’ south-west corner, Mr Young and Deputies Renouf and Tadier all gave the project their backing, conditional on Jersey securing a favourable contract that provided both energy and economic security. Only Mr Raimondo said he was not in favour “at the moment”. Citing people using foodbanks, he said: “Let’s fix the things that need to be fixed first.”
The efforts of the owner of the former Nude Dunes restaurant at La Pulente to turn the building into a café and self-catered holiday let also came up.
Deputy Tadier said he was “not unsympathetic” to the owner’s situation but the building should stay a café and restaurant, as per its intended use. He added that planning enforcement notices needed to be enforced in order to restore confidence in the planning system.
Calling the situation a “disaster”, Mr Young said that the States should never have sold the original toilet block. He raised the prospect of the public acquiring the site – as had happened with the former Seaside Café at Grève de Lecq – and it becoming an interpretation centre.
Mr Raimondo said he did not support the current planning application and would back the Hideout kiosk returning to the site. He said that the authorities needed to work with the building’s owner to find a solution, which should not be residential.
Deputy Renouf said he was also opposed to the holiday let application, which was the first step to residential use. He added that applications should not be used to “string out” enforcement action and supported working with the owner to find a solution which fitted within the Planning system.
Asked what achievable project the candidates would promote to make St Brelade’s a better place to live, Deputy Renouf referenced his ongoing work in support of a community space at Les Creux.
Referring to the recent 500th edition of Parkrun at Les Quennevais, which he took part in, Deputy Tadier said he would like to promote more sports tourism, and suggested that Visit Jersey attend the popular weekly event with goodie bags for visiting participants.
Mr Raimondo said he wanted to encourage more small businesses to the parish, new equipment at the Elephant Park, and a budget supermarket.
Mr Young said he would support more community groups in the parish, akin to the successful setup in St Clement.
What made them laugh
Deputy Tadier warning Mr Raimondo “to be careful what you wish for” when the 18-year-old suggested a split minimum wage, with younger people potentially getting paid a lower rate.
What made them groan
There was more an audible silence than a groan when, answering a question about whether cash still had its place in society, Mr Raimondo suggested that it did – so that brown envelopes could be passed around the Assembly. Deputy Tadier gave his fellow candidate an especially hard stare.
