DEPUTY Kirsten Morel has announced that he will seek re-election as a district Deputy representing St Lawrence, St John and Trinity.
The current Economic Development Minister, who was first elected to the States Assembly in 2018 as Deputy for St Lawrence, said he wanted to remain a district politician to focus on specific issues, including the Island’s aging population, building stronger links to France, strengthening the rural economy and parish matters.
Asked why he had decided not to go for an Islandwide mandate, Deputy Morel conceded that the challenging start to the new ferry contract had attracted some criticism but he strongly believed that the decision to choose DFDS was the right one.
He added that, should the voters of his three-parish district support him, he was looking forward to working in that community.
However, he said he was not ruling himself out of ministerial politics, if re-elected and asked to take a seat at the council table.
He told the JEP: “As we look ahead to the elections in Jersey, I’m pleased to announce that I will stand as a candidate for re-election as Deputy in the district of St Lawrence, St John and Trinity.
“It has been an honour to serve the district for the past four years and I hope parishioners will re-elect me so that I can continue to help prepare Jersey for the challenges that lie ahead.
“I want to work to continue supporting the rural and marine economies that lie at the heart of our rural parishes, while also focusing on our regional relations with Brittany and Normandy and the other Channel Islands so we can benefit from social, cultural and economic exchange.”
He added: “I believe that we must make Jersey attractive to young people, which means continuing to develop an enterprising economy so new career paths are available that encourage young Islanders to live their lives here. Whilst continuing to do all we can to minimise inflation and ensure housing becomes more affordable.
“Our parishes lie at the heart of the Island and I want to work with the Constables to ensure the parish system works for all parishioners in the modern world and can continue at the heart of island life for centuries to come.
“I have seen at first hand the impact of ageing on families throughout our parishes. If re-elected, I’d like to work with the parishes to build networks of parishioners that provide social connections and mobility for older Islanders who find themselves isolated due to the care they provide for spouses or who have lost their partners and now find themselves alone.
“Jersey is and incredible island that I believe in wholeheartedly. However, we are faced with real challenges and I hope voters will place their faith in me for another four years, so I can continue working to ensure Jersey remains successful for decades to come.”
