TWO of the co-founders of one of the Island’s new political parties have confirmed they will be standing as candidates in the forthcoming general election.
Senator Steve Pallett and Deputy Steve Luce will contest Deputy seats on opposite sides of the Island when Jersey goes to the polls on 22 June.
Party leader Senator Pallett will stand in his home district of St Brelade, having formerly served the parish for two terms as Constable before gaining an Islandwide mandate as Senator in 2018.
Senator Pallett said he had the same energy and enthusiasm as when he was first elected to the States Assembly in 2011, and had since added leadership skills and experience to his political CV.
The Island’s move towards party politics was a positive step, Senator Pallett said, adding: ‘I fervently believe that party politics offers Islanders an increased level of accountability in their politicians as the Island looks to restore its faith in a political system that many feel has let them down.
‘As leader of the Progress Party and as part of our coalition with the Jersey Liberal Conservatives, I understand the financial difficulties that many I will seek to meet on the doorstep face – we will seek to support those most in need.’
If elected, Senator Pallett said he would continue to campaign for improved mental-health services and fit-for-purpose rehabilitation services for those who had suffered strokes or serious injuries. Within his parish, his priorities would include working to ensure development in St Brelade’s Bay was appropriate and considering the best future use of Les Quennevais School, he added.
St Brelade is one of nine electoral districts and will elect four Deputies. Senator Pallett is one of eight candidates to have declared their intention to stand so far, the others being his Progress colleague Steve Bailey, Reform Jersey duo Deputy Montfort Tadier and Nigel Jones, James Corbett of the Jersey Alliance and independents Jonathan Renouf, Helen Miles and Moz Scott.
Deputy Luce, the Progress chief whip and party secretary, also has 11 years’ experience as a States Member, and held the role of Environment Minister between 2014 and 2018. He will run for one of the three Deputy seats in the district of St Martin and Grouville.
The ex-farmer cited successes from his time in the Assembly, including rezoning a field for affordable housing in 2012, the redevelopment of St Martin’s School and a bid to provide more retirement homes.
He said: ‘Recent events mean that the next few years are going to be a real challenge for everyone. I want to continue to do what I can to make things better for all Islanders, but most especially the parishioners of St Martin and Grouville.’
Two other candidates have also confirmed their intention to run for Deputy in St Martin and Grouville: Deputy Carolyn Labey and Piers Sangan.
The nominations for candidates opens today, with the relevant paperwork required to be delivered to the States Greffe by 5pm on Friday.
