A GREEN and sustainable finance expert has confirmed he will be standing in the upcoming Jersey election as a candidate for Reform Jersey.
Lee Carpenter, a former JEP columnist, will be seeking one of the four seats on offer in St Helier Central – where Reform Jersey secured a clean sweep in 2022. He will be standing alongside party colleagues Deputies Carina Alves, Catherine Curtis and Lyndsay Feltham.
A finance professional with over 12 years’ experience in the industry, Mr Carpenter specializes in green and sustainable finance as a research analyst. He has received a climate risk certified, awarded to those in finance, risk management and sustainability to identify who assess and manage risks associated with climate change.
On standing for election, the 44-year-old said: “For increasing numbers of people, Jersey has simply become far too expensive. Whether struggling to get on the housing ladder or just putting food on the table, we’ve reached the stage where 10% of Islanders are now forced to go without essentials like food or heating, while a staggering 45% of us have nothing left over after covering necessities.
“It’s little wonder younger people are finding it impossible to save for deposits. Wages have stagnated while rents have soared. Increasingly, younger people no longer see the Island as a viable option to raise a family, while birth numbers have fallen to their lowest since records began, driven partly by exorbitant childcare costs. The status quo is clearly unsustainable and if we don’t reverse these trends, it is no exaggeration to say we face an existential threat to our future prosperity and social cohesion.
“I am standing for election because I’ve become deeply frustrated with successive governments failing to address these critical issues. Over the last decade, Reform Jersey has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fighting for a fairer society, and it’s a privilege to be among a fantastic team of candidates for Deputy in St Helier Central.”
The four Reform Jersey members are the only candidates to declare for St Helier Central so far. Current incumbents Deputies Geoff Southern and Rob Ward will be retiring and standing for Constable respectively.
Party Leader, Deputy Sam Mézec, who will be contesting the Senatorial election, said: “Lee is a very impressive candidate who I am confident would make an immense contribution as a States Member. His commitment to social and economic justice is unquestionable, combined with his expertise in the finance industry, he is exactly the sort of person we need more of in the States. I am particularly pleased that someone with a background in green finance has come forward. This is an important emerging area of Jersey’s economy which the next government must promote.”
Islanders will head to the polls on Sunday 7 June, the first time a Jersey election has been held at the weekend.
