A FORMER foreign exchange trader who served as an assistant minister between 2018 and 2022 has signalled his desire to return to the political arena.
Lindsay Ash held the role of Deputy for St Clement for four years but was defeated at the 2022 election when he stood as a member of the Jersey Alliance party.
Mr Ash said he will be putting himself forward for the same position, this time standing as an independent, after reflecting on the positive differences he had helped bring about during his previous spell in the Assembly.
“During Covid, the Treasury team and I argued successfully against using the Island’s ‘Rainy Day Fund’, instead establishing a rolling credit facility that saved taxpayers millions,” he said. “At the same time, I worked to support Islanders directly, asking Andium Homes to freeze rents, Jersey Telecom to provide its highest internet speeds free of charge, and Jersey Electricity to hold off on price increases.
“I helped reform licensing laws, allowing local businesses greater flexibility to offer promotions – changes that have now finally been implemented, shockingly, six years after the Assembly approved them.
“As minister responsible for Jersey Telecom, I oversaw the sale of its Internet of Things business for £200 million, widely acknowledged as a sensational deal.”
The launch of the Spend Local card and community sports initiatives such as the padel facility at FB Fields were also cited by Mr Ash as initiatives he had helped to drive.
He said that, if elected, he would push for a review of tax thresholds, particularly for pensioners and retired people acting as carers, as well as investment in the east of the Island, which he said had seen “significant housing growth but far too little in recreational facilities”.
Mr Ash also called for more suitable housing for young families, alongside proper nursery and childcare provision.
“Jersey is a wonderful place to live and we need to secure the future it deserves,” he said.
He is the third person to declare for St Clement alongside incumbents Deputies Barbara Ward and Karen Wilson. Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache has announced his retirement from politics while Deputy Alex Curtis is yet to confirm his election intentions.
