Watch: Jersey shows how politics should be done

Thursday 01 March 2018

Budding political leaders from around the world have been put through their paces this week by Jersey’s politicians and journalists.

50 young delegates have come to the island for the 9th Commonwealth Youth Parliament, a chance for people aged 18-29 to learn more about politics, parliamentary process, democracy and how to handle questions from the media.

Jersey stepped in as hosts after the event wasn’t able to go ahead in the British Virgin Islands in October 2017 due to the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma. But despite the change in location and much colder temperatures, the debates on key issues like housing and the economy have still produced challenging and heated arguments – with even a no confidence vote on the Government thrown in.

Chief Minister @Ian_Gorst, CPA Secretary Akbar Khan @CPA_SecGen and CPA Chairman @len_norman with #CYP9 delegates braving the freezing temperatures outside #Jersey's #StatesChamber this morning! @CPA_Secretariat https://t.co/qUxGbPJTN4 pic.twitter.com/I1au0NgZYu

— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) February 26, 2018

Although all fiction, the topics debated are all very close to home, with propositions discussing building on ‘green zones’ and introducing a student loans scheme, which prompted many questions on how it will be funded…. sound familiar?

The young people did tackle the issues as a political party system – something not practiced within the Channel Islands – which the delegates learnt about during their time here, but not everybody was convinced that the island system works:

Video: Ben Sawyers from South Wales tells Express he appreciated learning about Jersey's political system, but feels party politics is the best system.

After two days of debates in the States Chambers, both parties were given hints and tips on how to handle media interviews - the perk of a career in politics - by local journalists, current politicians and communication officers, who then questioned each political party in a ‘mock’ media conference.

It seemed both the Deputy Chief Minister of the 'Commonwealthland' Government party, Ben Sawyers from South Wales, and the leader of the opposition party, Pierre de Garis from Guernsey, had learnt the art of passing the questions onto their party members. 

Video: Both parties were questioned on their policies by local journalists, politicians and States of Jersey Communications Officers. 

The 9th Commonwealth Youth Parliament event also enabled the potential future government leaders to meet with like-minded people, each from within the Commonwealth to share ideas and discover the differences between their home countries and islands.

But it's a visit that tries to entice more young people to consider a career in politics as 60% of the population in the Commonwealth are under 30-years-old. The Guernsey representative, Pierre de Garis told Express it's not a career many young young people in the Channel Islands automatically aspire to. 

Video: Pierre de Garis from Guernsey says not all young people consider a career in politics.

Pierre says the Commonwealth Youth Parliament conference is one of the best events he's done in his life and encourages more young people to embrace the opportunity to take part.