A decent turnout of supporters, potential election candidates and curious onlookers braved adverse weather to attend the launch of Jersey’s newest political movement at St Helier nightspot Sundown.
Around 100 people were present for the event staged by Value Jersey, which describes itself as “a new movement to make life, business, and government more affordable on the Island”.
The launch was compèred by director of communications Sam Gleave, who said Value Jersey was seeking to develop policies and turn these into meaningful change for the Island, with a focus on reductions in the costs of living, doing business and government.
A range of other speakers also participated in person or by video link:
- Estate agent Harry Trower, who fronted an online “teaser” video published last week to promote the launch.
- Student Gabriel Raimondo, who said he wanted to see a line drawn in the sand that would end the exodus of young people leaving the Island because it was unaffordable.
- Economist Michael Oliver, criticising Jersey’s government for the “precarious” deficit that had been built up, leaving those who earned between £35,000 and £55,000 worse off than their counterparts in the UK.
- Jersey Post manager Toby Clyde-Smith, who described a serious medical issue involving a family member visiting France that would, he said, have been fatal in Jersey because of deficiencies in the Island’s healthcare system.
- Child psychologist Victoria Li, who said young people in Jersey were growing up “anxious, uncertain and disempowered” in spite of the government spending more on education than jurisdictions such as Finland and Singapore.
- Retailer Gerald Voisin, who said the Island’s entrepreneurial spirit was being stifled and needed to be set free.
- Former hospital consultant Dr David Ng, who highlighted “dithering” in health, with increasing numbers of civil servants being employed ahead of healthcare professionals.
- Lecturer and legal expert Professor Claire de Than, who called for a skills audit that would enable Jersey to make the most of local talent that could then be grown and retained.
- Investment strategist Peter Lucas, calling for more to be done to encourage the private sector to grow, leading to a freer, more vibrant economy.
- Businessperson and charity chair Phil Romeril, who repeated calls for those interested in change to contact Value Jersey with policy ideas and offers to help.
- Small business owner and cancer campaigner Sophie Reid, highlighting the difference between the positive ideas she encountered from Islanders every week and the lack of such ideas from politicians.
Value Jersey insists it is not a political party, but is looking to develop a manifesto ahead of the 2026 election which could potentially be adopted by candidates running for office.