ASSISTANT Economic Development Minister Alan Maclean will tonight join those seeking a seat on the Senatorial benches.

The Deputy for St Helier No 2 says he wants to serve as a minister in the next administration to continue the work he has already started as a politician.

‘I believe a minister should have an Islandwide mandate if making policy for the Island as a whole,’ he said.

He said that it had taken him about two years to get his feet fully under the table as a States Member and that he felt the term of office of politicians needed to be extended to allow proper time for policy implementation.

Deputy Maclean said that there was a ‘lack of connection’ between the States and the public and that he intended to work to improve communication.

He also believes that major efficiencies could be found to improve the way public money is spent.

‘By more closely involving the private sector through public/private partnership initiatives we can achieve better results and greater efficiency,’ he said.

Deputy Maclean (45), who is married with young children and runs the estate agency Mulberry, has had responsibility for the Airport and the Island’s harbours since assuming his role as Assistant Economic Development Minister.

He said he had introduced a more commercial ethos to both Jersey Airport and Jersey Harbours that had resulted in more services, more routes and more travellers.