By Robert Surcouf
WE all have our own unique political ideology, but can we always fit into a political party? This was a question I had to ask myself at the start of 2021, and the answer I came to was ‘no’. But why even consider it?
In 2020, after raising concerns about the cost of the proposed new Hospital, my then Deputy asked to meet for a coffee to try and answer my concerns. The main point he made was ‘it did not matter what it costs, as money was cheap’. My comments on the need to repay the loan seemed to fall on deaf ears; clearly his view was that this was a future problem for someone else to solve. Faced with this reality, I felt I should look at standing at the next election, and so began a new political adventure.
It has always been my opinion that the Clothier changes tried to force Jersey into a UK-style of confrontational politics that does not suit a small society living on an island just nine by five.
Many were focused on parties as the only way to share the load and provide support, compared to standing as an independent.
So I joined a very capable group looking to launch a new political party, with prospective candidates and supporters with a wide range of political views and areas of focus.
But very soon it became apparent that, without quite a narrow ideology, getting consensus on a manifesto was challenging and would require an unacceptable level of compromise to try and gain power.
In early 2021, I said ‘no’ to being in a party and took a step back to start again. It seemed like a strange decision to focus on being an independent, when criticism claimed they lacked transparency and accountability and the general movement was towards party politics.
So which way now? After attending events hosted by the Institute of Directors to encourage fresh political blood, Deputy Kristina Moore – now Chief Minister – arranged an open meeting for aspiring candidates.
It proved to be inspirational, with a remarkably diverse mix of candidates attending an interesting session covering various aspects of campaigning and underlining the challenges that lay ahead.
During these early meetings, the idea of a group of independents meeting on a regular basis to share ideas and develop their manifestos evolved into Better Way 2022.
But as Better Way launched, I had to consider whether, with two children at school, it really was the right time to stand.
With the benefit of hindsight, it soon became apparent that my earlier decision to do so had been driven by frustration rather than the belief that the time was right to make a positive difference as a Deputy. Seeing such great new candidates convinced me not to stand, and instead support them and a Better Way forward.
‘Let’s talk’ sessions, where we invited guest speakers to address public meetings on key topics, were about listening to what was needed to confront the challenges ahead, rather than making assumptions and telling the electorate what we thought they required.
Candidates and well-known campaigners and activists participated positively in a number of sessions, which helped us explore innovative ideas.
The five Better Way candidates and supporters also met around a kitchen table privately each week to discuss issues and share ideas and feedback that helped each one shape their manifesto and campaign.
It was great to subsequently see four of the candidates elected, with two actually topping the polls in their respective districts. Sadly, the fifth prospective Better Way candidate – Suzanne Webb – just missed out in St Saviour, finishing sixth in a parish with five seats.
Just a few weeks later Kristina Moore is our new Chief Minister and David Warr, Housing Minister, and I am sure Lucy Stephenson and Alex Curtis will contribute to future policy during what is set to be a remarkably busy four-year term.
But what is in store for Better Way and its supporters? We can continue to make a positive contribution by running more open ‘Let’s talk’ sessions to help inform members and encourage greater civic engagement and the next generation of politicians.
This election has delivered a strong Assembly, and independents still have an important part to play in Island politics.
If the Assembly can deliver much-needed positive change, then perhaps we do not need to get into the type of negative party politics and name calling we see in the UK.
There might indeed be a Better Way for Jersey. I am hopeful for the future.
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Robert Surcouf comes from a Jersey farming family, though his mother was Spanish and moved to the Island in the 1960s. He became an accountant and now specialises in risk and enterprise management. A father of two school-aged children, he was one of the founding members of Better Way 2022.
