DEPUTY Max Andrews was first elected to the States Assembly in 2022 at the age of 29.
Before starting his political career, he was a personal trainer and also had experience within the financial sector.
However, after feeling dissatisfied with the quality of life he experienced as a young person in Jersey, such as the rising cost of living and housing prices, he was left with an important decision to make that many other Islanders are currently facing.
He questioned whether or not he should leave the Island. However, he decided to remain in Jersey and instead run for election, in an attempt to make a positive change to the future of his own life and other young people within the Island.
I sat down with the current Deputy for St Helier North to discuss his experience working within the States and the challenges he has faced during his time in office.
He shared his worries for the future of Jersey and said he wants to encourage other young people to take an interest in local politics and put their vote to good use in the next election.
What inspired you to run for election and begin your career in local politics?
“As a young person, I was becoming frustrated with local politics and the way the States Assembly was functioning, as well as the decisions that were being made.
“Ultimately, there was a decision for me to make: number one, I could leave the Island, and I was inclined to do so, or, number two, I could stand for election and try to make a difference. In the end, I decided to go with option number two, and I stood for election in 2022 to try and make a difference.
“I know many Islanders have been critical about the States Assembly, but then they don’t bother to stand themselves and run for election, or even vote, so that was the reason why I decided to stand.
“I came into politics to try and reflect the interest of Islanders who were under-represented, particularly the working class and other young people similar to my age. I felt the States Assembly was a bit too ‘right-wing’ while it was under John Le Fondré as Chief Minister and we needed a few more progressive Members in the States Assembly. This would provide more of a balance within the Chamber having younger people who can come into local politics and set out a clear vision for the future.”
The current States Assembly has been described as having the most “diverse” range of members that we’ve had to date. Do you think there is still a need for more diversity within the Chamber to ensure they represent a variety of Islanders and their needs?
“I think it’s so important we have an array of individuals. I know some people have predicted that we’ve done well in terms of having 21 female politicians in the Assembly, however, we don’t have many young people and that’s something that ought to be improved upon going into the next election.
“Some of the decisions that are being made in the Chamber are by people who do not see the issues that other Islanders face, nor are they open to even considering those issues as well. That’s a problem within the Chamber, particularly during debate, as the Members will not listen to each other and they will have already made their decision on how they’ll vote even before the debate commences and they’ve considered the information presented, which I think is really poor.
I’m shocked at what I’ve seen in terms of the way the States Assembly functions and operates. There are many systemic issues, and I’ve found it very frustrating when it comes down to try to enact change but you end up being the minority
Deputy Max Andrews
“I think some of the States Members are totally oblivious to some of the problems that we have in the States and in the Island which are the problems the States Assembly ought to be addressing. That’s due to the way they are, it might be that they’re more upper class so they don’t have any connection with any lower-class families so they don’t know what it’s like, for instance, to go to a food bank.
“My outspokenness has probably been an issue for me at times as I’ve stated the truth and some people don’t like that. I’ve probably been one of the most vocal and critical members of the States Assembly, in terms of our ability to actually serve the public.
“Islanders who follow me, know that about me, and those who don’t associate me with the States Assembly as a whole. I often see people quoting the States Assembly, it’s obviously all Members as an entirety, but I don’t consider myself to be a part of the group who are hindering progress within the Island, I think there’s a clear demarcation.”
What was your experience as a newcomer in local politics as well as running as an independent in the 2022 election?
“Many people took a risk voting for me because I was 29 years old and I was up against candidates who were all old enough to be my parents. I think I did very well in terms of how I was elected, but for me, it’s now been about making sure I can deliver.
“In the past, political parties were something that I was very supportive of, however I’ve also seen how detrimental it can be to our democracy. If parties have the majority vote, they can’t really be challenged and I don’t think that’s very democratic.”
How do you think the current States Assembly would react to having fresh faces – particularly the younger generation – enter the local political scene and being elected in during the next election?
“I think if we had younger people, they would be showing more ambition and more desire to actually get things done. Without being disrespectful, we’ve got a States Assembly that is made up largely of people who are in their 60s and 70s. That is not exactly going to be a forward-thinking States Assembly. We need to be considering the Island in 40, 50 or 60 years time, but we are currently seeing a short-term approach in the Chamber, serving a political cycle of four years and nothing beyond. This is a major concern, but at the same time, there is such a disconnect with young people and politics.
“Unfortunately, it’s going to be an ongoing struggle to try and get young people to stand for election but we certainly do need more young people to stand.
“At the end of the day, we’ve got so many issues affecting Islanders such as the cost of living, housing affordability, all of those topics relate to young people, so ideally we want and need to see more young people running so their views are heard and represented in the Assembly.
“If the States Assembly would be performing well, I think more people would be inclined to join the organisation. Because the States Assembly has not been performing very well, it becomes tainted and people then decide they do not want to be a part of that. It’s going to be a really big problem trying to get new people to stand at the next election as in the previous election, there were only around 90 candidates.”
How would you encourage Islanders to get involved in local politics and share their views or concerns, or perhaps even consider a career in politics by standing in the next election?
“If you feel that there is anybody that you can approach who is currently in the Assembly at the moment or even a former Member, definitely contact them. Have a sit down with one of those individuals to get advice about how you can get involved and listen to what they have to say.
“If you have any concerns you want to raise or voice, I would recommend contacting your Deputy or Constable. I think the system itself has actually created a disconnect between the public and the States Assembly.
“For instance, we’ve got online petitions so people will avoid going directly to politicians, and instead they’ll set up a petition when they could have gone straight to a politician who might listen to them and take it on to ensure it is taken forward so the States Assembly can debate it. I don’t think the petition process itself is actually helpful, I think it in fact encourages a further disconnect and divide that the States cannot afford to see.
“Some people probably have no faith in all the politicians within the States Assembly, and I can also see why. If they have no faith in the States Assembly as an institution, they would decide against contacting any States Members directly so, instead, they take to social media because it’s a way of engaging with other people about their frustrations.
“If I see something online, I will often inbox a person or reply to their concern in the public domain. I always let them know how to contact me, however, people don’t come to politicians because they don’t really have any faith in the States Assembly.
“I think many people have been put off local politics due to the performance of the States Assembly. I have to say it’s probably been the worst States Assembly since the millennium.”
The next election is coming up in 2026, will we be seeing you run for election again?
“I always said to myself, if I was to come into politics, I would do no more than two terms as I don’t really want to continue to be a part of this institutionalised organisation. I’m shocked at what I’ve seen in terms of the way the States Assembly functions and operates.
“There are many systemic issues, and I’ve found it very frustrating when it comes down to try to enact change but you end up being the minority. I think any credible person would start to question – do I want to remain in this organisation? I’ve got a lot of thinking to do in that respect, because I want to be delivering things and making positive changes, but if you’re going to be outnumbered all the time, then what’s the point in continuing?
“I’ve had quite a few people ask if I’m running in the next election. When I say I’m not sure, they’re disappointed to hear that and have encouraged me to stand again, otherwise they feel as though they won’t have people in office who can represent them.
“I now understand when I speak to former politicians and in the end they gave up hope and decided that nothing’s going to change. It’s just going to continue to be the case if things remain stagnant and some of the biggest issues the Island faces are not ever going to be addressed until the problem is conspicuous for everybody to see, and, by that time, it’s too late.
“The reality is that I don’t think anything is really going to change to be honest. I think it’s systemically an issue and to try and address that would mean to try and overhaul the system. You need so many more candidates to step forward and all of you need to be doing the same thing and working together to see any change.
“I just don’t think there is currently that collective synergy of individuals wanting to work with one another who have a shared vision of the future of Jersey, so I think things are going to gradually get worse.
“At this point, I need to give myself time to consider – what do I do? Do I stand in the next election or do I not? I’m certainly very disillusioned with the States Assembly as I don’t think its activity is in the interests of the public and it is demoralising to be a part of.
“In the future, if there are maybe better people coming into politics, potentially I would come back to the States Assembly. Unfortunately, I cannot see it getting any better any time soon.”
