With the election now less than eight months away the focus has begun to turn to May 2018, when the 49 seats of the States Chamber will be up for grabs.
A total of 18 sitting politicians have told the JEP that they intend to put their names forward again. No serving Member has yet said that they will be leaving the Chamber at the election.
The 18 comprises two Senators, five Constables and 11 Deputies.
Disability campaigner Anthony Lewis – who suffered a stroke in 2007 – is one of two political newcomers who have declared that they intend to stand and says he is looking to contest a Senatorial seat.
The other, environmentalist Jacqui Carrel, has not yet decided whether she will seek a Constable, Deputy or Senatorial seat but has said that the key areas that require improvement are the environment, health and education policies.
St Martin Deputy Steve Luce had already confirmed his intention to stand and will seek to continue his role as Environment Minister if he is returned to the Chamber in 2018.
The next States Assembly is likely to face one of the most challenging terms in recent memory as the Island deals with the aftermath of the UK leaving the European Union, the building of a new hospital, an increasing and ageing population and the fallout from the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry.
The JEP contacted the 49 politicians who make up the current States Assembly and asked whether they intended to put themselves forward for the next election. A total of 21 replied, with three – Trinity Constable Philip Le Sueur, St Martin Constable Michel Le Troquer and Treasury Minister Alan Maclean – each saying that they would make a final decision closer to the election.
Who is standing?
Environment Minister Steve Luce became the first person to officially declare his intention to stand during a Chamber of Commerce speech last week.
And earlier this week, former JEP journalist and disability campaigner Anthony Lewis announced his candidacy for the Island’s second general election, with the intention to stand for one of the eight Senatorial seats.
Meanwhile, environmental campaigner Jacqui Carrel has announced her intention to stand next year, but has not yet indicated for which role.
Since then, a further 17 sitting Members of the States Assembly have confirmed that they will put themselves forward for re-election.
Three Senatorial candidates – Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham, Senator Sarah Ferguson and Mr Lewis – will be seeking Islandwide support.
Meanwhile, five Constables and 11 Deputies, including Deputy Luce, will seek re-election.
They are:
St John Constable Chris Taylor
St Mary Constable Juliette Gallichan
St Brelade Constable Steve Pallett
St Saviour Constable Sadie Rennard
Grouville Constable John Le Maistre
St Helier District 2 Deputy Sam Mézec
Grouville Deputy Carolyn Labey
St Helier District 1 Deputy Judy
Martin
St Helier District 3/4 Deputy Richard Rondel
St Ouen Deputy Richard Renouf
St Helier District 3/4 Deputy Jackie Hilton
St Saviour District 1 Deputy Jeremy Maçon
St Mary Deputy David Johnson
St Brelade District 2 Deputy Graham Truscott
St Helier District 1 Deputy Russell Labey
All Members, with the exception of Deputy Mézec, have said that they intend to contest their current seat. Deputy Mézec has not yet decided what constituency he will stand in.
