With just over a week to go until the election, attention turns to the island’s electoral districts, where voters will choose their next Deputies.
Express is taking a closer look at who is running in which district. District 8, which covers St Clement, has three seats up for grabs this year.
The current Deputies for St Clement are Sir Philip Bailhache, Alex Curtis, Barbara Ward, and Karen Wilson.
Deputies Ward, Wilson and Curtis are seeking re-election in the same role. Deputy Bailhache has announced that he will not be standing in the upcoming election.
Here is who is in the running…
Deputy Barbara Ward
Deputy Barbara Ward is seeking re-election as a Deputy for St Clement, having first been elected to the States Assembly in 2022.
A former nurse, Deputy Ward initially served on the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel before becoming an Assistant Health Minister in 2024 following the change in government.
She is also a member of the Legislation Advisory Board and the Policy and Procedures Pensions Sub Committee.
Deputy Ward moved to Jersey in 1979 and spent much of her career working in mental health services, progressing from student nurse to senior nursing roles, including matron.
During her time as a politician, Deputy Ward has focused on healthcare policy and said she supports maintaining a stable ministerial team within the Health Department over the next Assembly term.
She also said key priorities would include ensuring the new hospital project is delivered and adequately staffed, alongside the continued development of the Health Partnership Board.
Deputy Ward has additionally campaigned on issues affecting older islanders, arguing that greater investment and support are needed for ageing members of the community.
She highlighted policies including the introduction of a Carers’ Allowance, tax incentives for older people returning to work, and addressing what she describes as the “double taxation” of Social Security payments.
Deputy Ward has also expressed concern about the use of Social Security Funds to cover government overspending, arguing that the island’s contributory insurance system should be protected.
Deputy Karen Wilson
Deputy Karen Wilson is seeking re-election as a Deputy for St Clement, having first been elected to the States Assembly in 2022.
An experienced healthcare leader and former director of nursing, Deputy Wilson was appointed Health Minister as part of Deputy Kristina Moore’s government.
Since the change in government, she has served as vice-chair of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel and as a member of the Public Accounts Committee and Hospital Review Panel.
Deputy Wilson is standing as an independent candidate and said she wants to continue representing the parish community she has called home for the past five years.
Her campaign is focused on concerns including the rising cost of living, housing conditions and access to care and support for older islanders.
Deputy Wilson said many parishioners feel these issues have not improved in recent years and are looking for practical solutions to everyday challenges.
She highlighted priorities including improving housing standards, supporting islanders facing rising costs, and ensuring public spending is carefully controlled.
She also called for greater investment in St Clement, arguing that the growing parish requires improved facilities and stronger community support.
Deputy Wilson stressed the importance of accessibility, accountability and community engagement in political representation.
Deputy Alex Curtis
Deputy Alex Curtis is seeking re-election as a Deputy for St Clement, having first been elected to the States Assembly in 2022 when he topped the poll as a first-time candidate.
Deputy Curtis served as an Assistant Chief Minister under Deputy Kristina Moore’s government, and then became a member of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure and the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panels.
He also served as vice-chair of the Planning Committee.
Before entering politics, Deputy Curtis worked as a data scientist – including at Microsoft, where he used data analysis across projects in Europe, the UK and Africa.
Deputy Curtis has said he believes Jersey should live within its means and focus on solutions that reflect the island’s budget and population size.
His campaign has focused on improving the efficiency of public services, balancing government spending and promoting what he describes as evidence-based decision-making.
He also argued that political leaders should be willing to innovate while maintaining principles, including community, personal responsibility and simplicity in both public services and the wider economy.
During his first term, Deputy Curtis created the website digitalstates.je, which tracks States Members’ Assembly contributions and voting records.
Deputy Curtis said he remains committed to representing St Clement through what he describes as a common-sense, people-first and honest approach to politics.
Lindsay Ash
Lindsay Ash is seeking election as a Deputy for St Clement, having previously represented the parish in the States Assembly between 2018 and 2022.
Former foreign exchange trader Mr Ash served as an Assistant Minister during his previous term in office.
He stood unsuccessfully for re-election in 2022 as a member of the Jersey Alliance party, but is contesting this year’s election as an independent candidate.
Mr Ash said he decided to return to politics after reflecting on what he described as the positive changes achieved during his earlier time in the Assembly.
He highlighted his work encouraging support measures for islanders during the pandemic – including calls for rent freezes at Andium Homes, free high-speed internet access through Jersey Telecom, and delays to electricity price increases.
Among the initiatives he cited from his previous term are reforms to licensing laws aimed at giving businesses greater promotional flexibility, the launch of the Spend Local card scheme during the pandemic, and support for community sports projects, including the padel facility at FB Fields.
As Assistant Minister with responsibility for Jersey Telecom, Mr Ash also oversaw the sale of the company’s ‘Internet of Things’ business for £200 million.
His election campaign has focused on reviewing tax thresholds, particularly for pensioners and retired carers, alongside increasing investment in the east of the island.
Mr Ash has also called for more recreational facilities, additional housing for young families and improved nursery and childcare provision.
Mick Robbins
Mick Robbins is seeking election as a Deputy for St Clement as a Reform Jersey candidate.
He spent almost 30 years serving in the police force before later working as a civil servant supporting scrutiny panels.
During this time, he also served as vice-president of the Jersey branch of civil service trade union Prospect.
Outside of his professional career, Mr Robbins is a keen boatsman and acts as a guide for Seymour and Rocco Towers. He has also supported the charity Wetwheels, which provides disabled islanders with access to the water.
Mr Robbins said he decided to stand for election because he believes life in Jersey is becoming increasingly difficult for ordinary working families.
His campaign has focused on issues including the rising cost of living, affordable housing and fair pay.
He has voiced support for transitioning from the minimum wage to a living wage, arguing that full-time work should provide islanders with financial independence without the need for income support.
Housing affordability has also been a central issue in his campaign, with Mr Robbins highlighting the difficulties many young families face in saving for a deposit while paying high rents.
He said he would like to work with government, estate agents, planners and financial institutions to improve access to family housing for average working households.
Mr Robbins also raised concerns about access to dental care, particularly for children, and has called for immigration reforms aimed at better supporting permit holders.
Noah Jervis
Noah Jervis is seeking election as a Deputy for St Clement as a Reform Jersey candidate, and would be the party’s youngest candidate if elected.
The 22-year-old previously served on the committee for Reform Youth and is currently a member of the party’s executive committee.
Mr Jervis said he is standing for election because he believes change is needed to secure a stronger future for young people in Jersey.
His campaign has focused on the challenges facing younger islanders, including the cost of living and a lack of affordable opportunities.
He said many young people are considering leaving the island due to rising costs and limited prospects, while also highlighting pressures faced by local businesses around staffing and rent.
Mr Jervis also said he hears concerns from pensioners struggling with the cost of living despite years of contributing to island life.
He has expressed support for Reform Jersey’s policies, including the commitment to deliver a new youth centre in Le Squez, which he has identified as a key priority for the parish.
Joanne Vandermerwe-Mahon
Joanne Vandermerwe-Mahon is seeking election as a Deputy for St Clement.
As a hospitality professional who first visited the island 20 years ago, Mrs Vandermerwe-Mahon said her background has given her a practical understanding of workforce challenges and wider economic pressures in Jersey.
She also worked as a television presenter.
Mrs Vandermerwe-Mahon said she values St Clement’s “unique identity and strong sense of belonging” and believes these qualities should be protected while ensuring decisions are made to support long-term resilience.
Her campaign has focused on what she describes as a people-focused approach, centred on listening to residents and turning concerns into practical action.
Her priority areas include improving how the healthcare system works in practice, ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with population needs, and adopting a responsible approach to population policy.
Mrs Vandermerwe-Mahon has also highlighted the need for measures to ease the cost of living for families.
She has said she is standing not to make promises, but to deliver practical results and represent St Clement in a grounded and effective way.
