AN “independent accountability mechanism” will be used to track election promises of successful candidates, a political movement has said amid continued questions over its backing, funding and approach.
Board members from Value Jersey have moved to clarify how the group, formed last year in a bid to shape the Island’s political and economic agenda, is tackling the forthcoming election.
As well as publishing a manifesto document, referred to as its “Purple Book”, Value Jersey has spelled out the support that has been offered to independent candidates standing for office on 7 June, as well as its post-election plans.
At the same time, individual candidates have confirmed whether they are endorsing Value Jersey’s policies, which are focused on the cost-of-living, government overspending and the economy.
In approaching election hopefuls, Value Jersey has offered a support package which assists with printed materials, campaign planning, speech and email writing, research, and practical campaign tools. Those who take up the offer are billed for the support provided and expected to itemise their campaign spending when submitting their election expenses.
Rowland Huelin, a board member and former St Peter Deputy, said there was considerable overlap between his movement’s policies and those of individual candidates, but admitted that many of those standing had chosen not to overtly endorse Value Jersey.
“There’s a commonality within the election,” he said. “We’ve given lots of independent candidates the confidence to start talking about [the cost of living] – it’s about bringing bringing people together, whether they have actively endorsed Value Jersey policies or not.”
Judy Martin, another former politician who is seeking a comeback as Deputy for St Helier South and has endorsed Value Jersey, said she felt the opportunity to align with a political movement had been particularly useful for first-time candidates.
“It’s my ninth rodeo [election campaign] so I know how it works, but lots of those standing don’t have that experience,” she said. “Many of them are working and have limited time and budget to run a campaign – it’s not like some of those running for Senator who are going to spend £14,000.
“In coming together we have been able to get a much better price for our websites and leaflets – all of it will be paid for and declared.
“My website and posters are cheap and cheerful. The idea that we’re being funded by multi-millionaires is ridiculous – my budget will be hundreds of pounds, not thousands.”
The support offered by Value Jersey also includes the potential advice from election experts working for the Messina Group, which has partnered with the movement having previously worked for the 2012 re-election campaign of US President Barack Obama.
Mr Huelin added: “They [Messina] have deep expertise in public speaking, talking to the media, hustings and things like that, anybody is welcome ask for that help – they’ll have to pay for it, and that [expenditure] will come out in the election expenses.”
Dr Graham Root, a public health expert who is another member of the five-strong board of the political movement, said Value Jersey intended to monitor the performance of those who are elected next month.
“We’re not establishing some sort of proxy whip mechanism, but what we are wanting is a truly independent accountability mechanism to hold politicians to account to see if they do follow through on election promises,” he said. “We’re not interested whether they follow through on a zebra crossing on a particular road, but we will be very interested about cutting government expenditure, improving the regulatory environment for businesses and growing the economy – the things that will have a positive impact on the cost of living.”
The composition of Value Jersey’s board was unveiled during an online meeting that took place in early April. The remaining members are businesswoman Sophie Reid and the economists Peter Lucas and Dr Michael Oliver.
The political movement has repeatedly stressed that it is not a political party and will not be endorsing any candidates.
The colour purple
Seven candidates have provided an explicit endorsement of Value Jersey within their contributions as independent candidates to the vote.je website and the manifesto booklet delivered to all households:
- Serena Kersten Guthrie, one of 17 rivals for the nine available Senatorial seats elected by the entire Island.
- Judy Martin and fellow St Helier South Deputy candidate Samantha Gleave, who stepped aside as communications director of Value Jersey in order to stand.
- Claire de Than, who is seeking one of four available Deputy seats in St Helier Central.
- Two other Deputy candidates are Phil Romeril, one of the co-founders of Value Jersey, in St John, St Lawrence and Trinity and hotelier Robert Parker in St Saviour.
- The youngest person to be nominated is another to have endorsed the political movement. Gabriel Raimondo, who will turn 18 at the end of this month and is seeking to become a St Brelade Deputy, said he supported Value Jersey’s economic policy principles, although he had opted to have his election literature and website independently designed.
Two other independent candidates who adopted the purple Value Jersey livery for their websites have confirmed their endorsement.
- Cyber security specialist Cameron Munro, standing for Deputy in St Helier Central, said the support provided by the political movement had been “incredibly helpful”, adding: “I wouldn’t have been able to do this otherwise.” Mr Munro said he regretted that some of those following the campaign had tried to stir up division on social media.
- Retailer Gerald Voisin, one of six Deputy candidates in St Helier North, also confirmed his support, having also been involved in Value Jersey’s launch event. “I’m very happy to endorse Value Jersey’s policy principles as they are exactly the same as mine,” he said. “I’m delighted that what they have done has raised the profile of the cost of living challenges so that almost every candidate is talking about this issue – that should leave us with a new Assembly made of people who are going to do something about it.”
One Islander who spoke at the Value Jersey launch last October confirmed to the JEP that her election campaign was entirely independent.
- Victoria Li, who is standing for Deputy in St Helier North, said: “I would always accept an invite to talk about education – that’s what happened with the launch event. After that I decided that I wouldn’t be endorsing any party or movement – there is a long tradition of independence in Jersey, and that’s how I am running.”
