A POLITICAL lobby group has said it is unaffected by a successful proposition calling for all campaigns fielding election hopefuls this year to declare key organisational details – as it is “not endorsing candidates”.
Value Jersey, a self-described movement, was launched in October with the aim of developing policies focused on tackling the cost of living, doing business and governance in the Island.
However, rather than endorse candidates like a formal party, the group instead wants election hopefuls to endorse the Value Jersey ethos. As a result, it would not have had the same level of scrutiny over its resources as parties.
Deputy Rob Ward, a member of the Island’s largest political party Reform Jersey, successfully persuaded the States Assembly this week to change the rules around political movements.
His proposition will see the introduction of a voluntary code asking candidates in the Island’s forthcoming election to declare membership of any political group, movement, collaboration or campaign they are part of – as well as information about their policies, funding sources and decision-making structures.
Deputy Ward also sought a requirement for all political groups to be registered for future elections, which has seen the Privileges and Procedures Committee tasked with bringing forward the necessary legislative changes by the end of January 2028.
Speaking prior to the vote on Thursday afternoon, Deputy Ward said: “This proposition seeks to strengthen transparency and accountability in our democratic process by addressing the growing presence of political groupings in Jersey.”
He continued: “It does so as we enter the run up to our next election, a period where transparency around political organisation is vital for our democratic process.
“Over recent years, we have seen an increase in political parties and alongside them, informal alliances, groups of candidates campaigning together, sharing manifestos, election banners and literature and presenting themselves as a unified front.
“Yet under current law, these groupings are not required to register or disclose any information about their funding, decision making or governance.”
Later in the debate, Deputy Ward stressed that the proposition was about “if you stand candidates as a group”.
“There are obvious political groupings who stand together on a leaflet that’s got the same name on it, whatever that name is – the even better way, the discount Jersey, yellow label Jersey – whatever you want to call yourself. It’s absolutely up to you.
“But I think the electorate will want to know; what are you standing for? What are you going to do together? Why are you standing together? Why are you not declaring that?”
The proposition was adopted by 25 votes in favour and 17 against.
In a statement yesterday, Value Jersey said that it was “not a party” and that “we’re not endorsing candidates”.
“We’ve developed a roadmap that any candidate can endorse, based on evidence, not ideology,” it continued.
“We are here for the long term. We won’t disappear once the votes are counted. At this election, most voters will have around a dozen votes. We’re asking you to use some of them for candidates who endorse the Value Jersey vision.
“And we will be watching. Those who say they support our policies will be held accountable for what they actually deliver through scorecards, public updates and direct engagement. Because accountability should not end on election day.”
Commenting specifically on Deputy Ward’s proposition, the spokesperson added that “we welcome transparency in politics” but that Value Jersey was “slightly bemused by this proposition”.
“The JEA’s advice was the existing law already delivers what Rob Ward was seeking to cover. The proposition was clearly targeted at Value Jersey and yet as it only includes movements who are fielding candidates does not actually include us, as since our launch we have made it clear that we are not endorsing candidates.”
