WHEN is a party not a party? When it’s a movement.
Next week sees the launch of Value Jersey, described as “a new movement to make life, business, and government more affordable on the Island”.
With seven months to go before next June’s general election, the group of like-minded Islanders is seeking to develop policies that will address the challenges facing Jersey, with the aim of those elected to office putting them into practice during the next political term.
Although it is holding a launch party at Sundown in St Helier, featuring live music and short presentations by a range of speakers, Value Jersey insists it is not a political party.
A spokesperson said: “Jersey is one of the best places in the world to live and raise a family, but it’s becoming too expensive.
“While Islanders are forced to tighten their belts, the government’s grip on spending is loosening and the economy is shrinking – we cannot afford to go on like this, so we are trying something different.”
Estate agent Harry Trower, director at Broadlands, issued a video ahead of the launch event in which he criticised the existing States Assembly as “49 politicians all pulling in different directions, with no clear leadership or vision”.
Value Jersey would, Mr Trower said, “throw a life-raft” to those who felt like they were treading water.
The aim, he added, was to “help shape a Jersey that’s affordable, ambitious and alive again”.
Next week’s event will be the second pre-election political launch in recent weeks.
At a launch event on 24 September, newly-rebranded political party Advance Jersey – previously Jersey Liberal Conservatives – vowed to increase its presence in the States Assembly.
Party leader Deputy Philip Bailhache said the party had its sights set on Reform Jersey, which currently has 10 States Members – five times the existing contingent of Advance politicians.
“We need to match that [Reform] figure if we are to have a chance of influencing the government in 2026,” he said. “And why not? Most Jersey people do not, I believe, embrace socialist principles – it is up to us to shape party politics in the best interests of the Island.”
