A TOWN Deputy responsible for bringing forward legislation on wide-ranging electoral changes has announced she will be standing for re-election.
Deputy Carina Alves confirmed she intends to stand in the St Helier Central district – becoming the third Reform Jersey candidate to declare for the four-seat constituency after Deputy Geoff Southern and Catherine Curtis.
As chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, Deputy Alves led the team responsible for introducing legislation to the States Assembly last year, which will see Islanders electing 37 Deputies in nine newly formed voting districts, 12 Constables but no Senators at the June election.
The former teacher was elected to the Assembly in the 2018 general election, and is the first States Member of Portuguese heritage.
Deputy Alves said her first term had been a ‘steep learning curve’ with Covid and Brexit.
She said: ‘This election could be a real turning point for achieving tangible changes. I would like to continue to empower the public and ensure they have access to information they need and their rights. Voters are often left unsure, disillusioned, or confused by systems in place so ensuring information is communicated in an accessible and consistent way to all is paramount.’
She added: ‘Islanders’ health also continues to be a real issue, both mental and physical. Understanding that factors such as unaffordable housing and inadequate work conditions can all have an impact is important. It is important to have a holistic approach – improving access to our health services as well as ensuring safe, affordable, and adequate housing and job stability need to be priorities.’
Deputy Alves is the sixth Reform Jersey member to have declared so far, joining party leader Senator Sam Mézec (St Helier South), Nigel Jones (St Brelade) and Ken Addison (St Clement), as well as Deputy Geoff Southern and Catherine Curtis.
