WATCH: Teens on #Jsy2018... To party or not to party?

Friday 11 May 2018

As a group of teens, they might be no stranger to a party… but what about when it comes to politics?

Rewind 200 years and next week’s election would have been a bitter clash of the Rose and Laurel parties. ‘Party time’ eventually ended, however, as more and more islanders decided to stand for the States and be counted… as individuals.

But could party hats soon be back in fashion?

Reform Jersey – the island’s only party – have this year put forward more than a dozen candidates in a bid to make this a reality by 2022, while high-profile political voices such as outgoing External Relations Minister and former Bailiff Sir Philip Bailhache have said that the change could be just the shake-up the island needs to solve notoriously low voter turnouts.

And they’re not alone – it seems that idea is favoured by the voters of the future. 

Express has been following year 12 Jersey College for Girls students Rebecca, Brooke, Zara, Ellie and Rosie on their election journey, as they learn about the ins and outs of the island system before deciding who deserves to win a coveted red leather chair in the States Chamber next week.

Pictured: JCG Year 12 students have been telling Express what election issues are important to them ahead of the Jersey 2018 election.

Just three weeks ago, they labelled the States of Jersey as “crazy”, “complicated” and “exclusive”... So are they now ready to cast their vote?

Perhaps not just yet. The issue, they say, is having to read and research about so many candidates in preparation – something that party politics could help with.

In their opinion, having more candidates standing under a party banner would make their choice much easier, as they would have an instant idea of their principles and where they stand on issues that they revealed to be crucial to them last week: university funding, the environment and diversity. It could also lead to improved accountability, but there’s still the possibility of a ‘football team’ mentality emerging among islanders.

Party or no party, they believe that Jersey is stuck in an “awkward” phase that needs to be resolved pronto…