ELECTION donations of more than £500 to any candidate and accounts of political parties may need to be published online, if States Members agree.
Deputy Moz Scott has lodged a proposition which would force the Privileges and Procedures Committee to bring changes in time for the 2030 election.
Her proposals, if approved, would require donations to individual candidates and political parties to be published within “a prescribed period from receipt”.
The established Reform Jersey, led by Deputy Sam Mézec, and Advance Jersey, chaired by Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache, are the only two parties set to contest the 2026 election, although self-styled movement Value Jersey has also emerged, stating it is seeking to develop policies and have candidates endorse its vision.
Deputy Scott, in her proposition, said: “The purpose of this proposition is to increase the transparency of major financiers of political candidates and political parties by requiring disclosures of their identities (a) online and (b) prior to the elections in which the relevant candidate is to stand or the party is to field any candidate.”
She said that setting time limits for declaring donations would “prevent delays in the information becoming available to the public”.
“This proposition seeks to bring declarations of both independent and political party
candidates in line, ensuring that substantial donations (in excess of £500) are declared
to the Jersey Electoral Authority in advance of an election for both individual candidates
and political parties, therefore ensuring that the public have knowledge of the donor
prior to an election. This information will provide the public with greater transparency
surrounding financial backers of candidates (be they individuals or party members)
which could better inform their voting decisions,” she added.
The proposition is due to be debated during the States sitting beginning on 10 March.
