IT might be a ‘General’ Election, but in one important way, the core topics raised so far by prospective candidates have been anything but.
Of course, there is still one more day to go for nominations – additionally, the hustings haven’t yet started, and they are almost guaranteed to introduce more ‘left-field’ subjects to the debate.
So it’s possible that by then, the following list will have broadened just a little – however, working from the summaries published to date in this newspaper, the exceptionally high cost-of-living unsurprisingly tops the poll of issues which our new crop of politicians will try and tackle; almost everyone mentions it as something of great concern, but realistic ideas, and ones which are actually within the ambit of Ministers to deliver, are perhaps harder to find.
The same might be said for topic number two: reducing the cost of the public sector, which easily tops £1bn. Again, many prospective candidates mention it, without quite explaining how it might be achieved, whilst also maintaining the range and quality of services which the electorate expects. Some at least focus on economic growth to help us pay the bills.
Thirdly, candidates reference the cost of housing, particularly in relation to first-time buyers, and giving more young people a realistic opportunity to either stay in Jersey, or return to build a family.
Of course, other topics have come up, but so far those have been by far the most common – which also begs the question as to which thorny issues might still be lying in wait in the depths of candidates’ manifestos?
Previous elections were heavily focussed on the size of the Island’s population, and on the number of new migrants arriving each year – that has yet to make much of an appearance in 2026, apart from tangentially, in relation to other topics.
And how about hardy perennials such as healthcare, traffic, or waste management, support for the tourism, retail, fishing or agriculture industries, transport, digital diversification, or being tough on crime, and tough on the causes of crime – cyber or the more traditional sort? Education? Water quality and resources? The Waterfront?
Not much reference has yet been made to the environment, whether in terms of land, sea or air; and it wouldn’t be a Jersey election without planning playing an important role, even as the topic candidates love to hate.
Candidates will quickly discover that while they might want to narrow their focus, the electorate will often have other ideas, and they will be expected to have a view (and a vote) on all of the above topics, and more.
