A FORMER police officer and union official is to stand in his home parish of St Clement for Reform Jersey.
Mick Robbins spent almost three decades in the police force before working as a civil servant in the States Assembly providing support to scrutiny panels. During this time, he also served as a vice-president of the Jersey branch of civil service trade union Prospect.
A keen boatsman, Mr Robbins is a guide for Seymour and Rocco Towers and has also supported charity Wetwheels, which provides disable people the opportunity to access the water.
On deciding to stand for one of the three Deputy seats on offer in St Clement, Mr Robbins said: “Life in Jersey is becoming harder by the day. For too many ordinary people, the idea of a ‘normal life’ is slipping further and further out of reach.
I was brought up to believe that if you worked hard at school, pushed yourself through further education, and committed to a job, you could build a future—have a family, own a home, and feel secure. I believe that was a covenant between the States of Jersey and the population. That promise is being broken. For many, the dream of building a life here isn’t just difficult; it feels impossible. That is not acceptable. That is why I am standing.”
He said that he supported the transition from the minimum wage to a living wage as Jersey should create “an environment where people can live independent in return for a weeks work” adding that those earning minimum wage often have to access income support to top up their income.
Housing is too expensive,” Mr Robbins said. “Many people with young families are resigned to the fact that they will never own their own property. They pay rent at a level which prevents saving for a deposit and creates a situation where they are living from hand to mouth month on month, year on year.
“I would love to work with government, realtors, planners and financiers to find a method of making the purchase of a family house possible for the average working family.”
He added that the provision of dental care – particularly for children – is “woeful” and needs to be made more accessible, while also advocating a change in immigration laws to better support permit holders.
Reform Jersey leader, Deputy Sam Mézec said: “I am absolutely delighted that Mick is running for election. I first worked with him in my formative years as a States Member and saw first-hand how hard-working and diligent he is. His sense of fairness and justice is clearly a strong motivation for him. He would be an excellent representative of the people of St Clement.”
Mr Robbins will be standing against current St Clement Deputies Barbara Ward, Karen Wilson and Alex Curtis as well as former parish representative Lindsay Ash, who have all declared. Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache has confirmed he will be retiring from politics at the election.
