Newly-rebranded political party Advance Jersey has vowed to increase its presence in the States Assembly following next year’s election.
At a launch event in St Helier this evening, party leader Deputy Philip Bailhache set his sights on Reform Jersey, which currently has 10 States Members – five times the existing contingent of Advance politicians.
“We need to match that [Reform] figure if we are to have a chance of influencing the government in 2026,” he said. “And why not? Most Jersey people do not, I believe, embrace socialist principles – it is up to us to shape party politics in the best interests of the Island.”
While arguing that people in Jersey had strong feelings of social responsibility, Deputy Bailhache said his party also supported self-reliance and the belief that people should take responsibility for themselves.
Standing under the Jersey Liberal Conservative banner in 2022 prior to his party’s rebrand earlier this year, Deputy Bailhache was elected by voters in St Clement, alongside Deputy Malcolm Ferey in St Saviour, while three party colleagues were unsuccessful.
Addressing attendees at the event at the Pomme d’Or Hotel, Deputy Bailhache said: “We need your ideas to help develop policies consistent with our values, and we need to encourage some of those who are standing for election – those who share our values – to consider standing as Advance Jersey candidates.”
Deputy Ferey, an assistant chief minister in the current government, said that while party politics had once been dismissed as a foreign phenomenon unsuited to the way of life in Jersey, it was now a growing reality.
“Parties are contesting elections, we are shaping debates and influencing public perception of how decisions should be made,” he said. “Party politics is here to stay.”
Party politics must adapt to the Island, not the other way round, Deputy Ferey argued.
“Our [Jersey] traditions of independence, civility and pragmatism must remain intact,” he added. “Parties should not become rigid machines, they should remain responsive to the people who they serve – we must never forget that politics is not about ideology, but about practical solutions to real problems.”
Deputy Bailhache also took aim at the current government, questioning claims by Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham that the proposed Budget, published earlier this months, would mean stability for the Island.
“I’m afraid I don’t see much stability in prospect – we seem to be unable to control our expenditure,” he said. “The Budget is underpinned by taking nearly £50 million every year for the next four years from the grant to the Social Security Fund.
“Nearly a quarter of a billion pounds is indirectly coming from a fund which supports the payment of pensions and benefits for our children and grandchildren.”
An audience of around 40 people included current Deputies Tom Binet, Rose Binet, Karen Wilson and David Warr.