A LONG-SERVING Deputy with 21 years experience in the Chamber is seeking re-election this summer.
Deputy Geoff Southern, a member of the Reform Jersey party, has announced his intention to stand as a candidate in the constituency of St Helier Central, having represented the St Helier No 2 District for a number of years.
Deputy Southern said: ‘With the help of my Reform Jersey colleagues, I am proud of the progress we have made on such issues as the levels of the minimum and living wage, employment rights and insecure employment. But there remains much that needs to be done, especially on the housing crisis and access to affordable health and social care for all. The reduction in GP costs, brought about by intense Reform Jersey pressure, was only the start.
‘If we are to create a health service we can be proud of, we must ensure that we can recruit and retain high-quality specialists at all levels. This may require new levels of co-operation between our near neighbours and major health trusts in the UK.’
He added: ‘Above all, we must cultivate an inclusive community. All too often recently, voters have been left with the feeling that they have been misled by ministers obsessed with “business as usual”.’
Reform Jersey was the only political party at the 2018 election. However, its members will go up against three new parties, which are planning to contest this year’s ballot. The new parties are Jersey Alliance, Jersey Liberal Conservatives and the Progress Party.
Deputy Southern is the fifth Reform Jersey candidate to declare, with Senator Sam Mézec, Nigel Jones, Catherine Curtis and Ken Addison also confirmed.
