FURTHER “controversy” may be ahead when legislation surrounding the reintroduction of Senators to the States Assembly is debated, the leader of one of the Island’s political parties has warned.
Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache spoke about the build-up to the Island’s next general election as part of an interview marking his party’s change of name from Jersey Liberal Conservatives to Advance Jersey.
As well as saying that he was undecided about whether to stand himself, Deputy Bailhache said he was sceptical about whether law changes around the return of the Island-wide mandate would be in place before the summer recess, the target mentioned by Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham during last month’s debate.
“I think there’s a long way to go on that, I think the legislation for the reintroduction of Senators is going to be controversial, and we’ll have to see what happens,” he said.
“I think a slight degree of scepticism is probably in order. I don’t think it’s an easy task, but it’s not so much the proposition that will come forward, but the amendments to that proposition, which will undoubtedly be lodged, which will consume a great deal of time and debate.”
The return of Senators formed part of a proposition by Deputy Elaine Millar, passed by 25 votes to 20, with Deputy Bailhache among those opposing the move.
Deputy Bailhache said Advance Jersey would be aiming to exceed the numbers achieved by the party in its “JLC” guise at the 2022 election, when it fielded five candidates and saw two – the party leader and his colleague Deputy Malcom Ferey – elected.
With the election in June 2026 falling soon after Deputy Bailhache’s 80th birthday, he said he had yet to decide whether to stand for re-election.
“I will be a certain age by the time the next election comes by, and that’s obviously a consideration – certainly I will be be involved one way or another,” he said, adding that “retirement is not a terribly attractive proposition, as far as I’m concerned”.
