A FORMER Housing Minister and chair of the Battle of Flowers is seeking a return to the political fray.
Russell Labey, who represented St Helier’s No 1 district as Deputy for eight years from 2014 but fell 25 votes short of being re-elected in 2022, will be among six candidates competing for the three available seats in the district of St Mary, St Ouen and St Peter.
Mr Labey said he wanted to see government live within its means, saying that pledges from the last election to control public spending and to be more open and transparent had not been delivered.
“We must do better,” he said. “Elections are about the future, not the past, but unless we acknowledge that the States Assembly, government and our political system lack leadership and efficient decision-making, the torture of the hospital saga since 2012 risks being repeated.”
Areas of focus cited by Mr Labey included setting up a Scrutiny review of PFAS, higher tax thresholds for pension income to help those affected by double taxation, reinvigoration of the tourist industry, freezing alcohol duty and building appropriate housing for down-sizers and first-time buyers.
The St Ouen resident said his successful moves during his previous political tenure included reducing Andium rents from 90% to 80% of market value, saving the historic 1932 Airport Terminal from demolition, and stopping foreign investors buying Jersey property via share transfer.
Also running in the district will be Reform Jersey’s Helen Evans and four more independent candidates: current Deputy Lucy Stephenson, plus David Benn, Arlene Maltman and Chris Rebindaine.
