A QUALIFIED accountant who missed out on a States Assembly seat by just 51 votes in 2022 is set to stand again.
Reform Jersey chairperson Helen Evans will seek one of the three Deputy seats in the St Mary, St Ouen and St Peter district.
She is the 16th and final Reform Jersey candidate to declare for June’s election.
Ms Evans, a former Beaulieu student, currently works as an associate lecturer for the Open University and serves on the management committee of the St Peter’s Youth and Community Centre as treasurer.
She said: “I am putting myself forward for election again because I believe that I have the skills to be an effective States Member, representing the people of the parishes of St Mary, St Ouen and St Peter, and working for the common good.
“At its best party politics is not partisan. Over the last two years, Reform Jersey has shown that we are capable of working effectively with independents in a coalition government. As a party we have worked, among other things, to bring down the cost of GP appointments, increase the funding for childcare for two-to-three-year-olds and establish the ‘First-Step’ scheme to help first-time buyers.
“I expect the next four years to bring considerable challenges to the Island, with pressure on public finances and rapid technological change. The Island needs States Members who have a depth of experience, the ability to listen and to understand and awareness of the limitations of their own knowledge. If elected, I will work with my Reform colleagues and independent States Members to address the cost of living, prepare Jersey for the challenges of the future and restore accountability to government.”
The St Mary, St Ouen and St Peter Deputy election was one of the closest votes in 2022, with just 76 votes separating four candidates for the final seat – ultimately taken by Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham.
Reform Jersey party Leader, Deputy Sam Mézec said: – “I am delighted that Helen has chosen to run for election. With her professional background and skillset, I am certain that she will make an excellent States Member. In particular, her expertise in accounting will be extremely helpful when trying to ensure best value for money for taxpayers, given the difficulties with public finances the government is facing.”
Three other candidates have declared for the district – current Deputy Lucy Stephenson, former European surfing champion Arlene Maltman and ex-farmer David Benn, who like Ms Evans narrowly missed out in 2022.
