A political row has erupted after a backbench politician accused the government of “plundering” the Social Security Fund – prompting the Housing Minister to fire back that he just wants to “watch the island burn”.
Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache this week revealed plans to lodge an amendment to the 2026 Budget proposals to block what he described as the government’s “plundering” of the Social Security Fund.
Although he is still finalising details of his amendment, the backbencher said he wanted to “lay down a marker” that would persuade Ministers to scrap plans to reduce the annual States grant to the fund over the next four years.
The Budget, due to be debated in December, sets out the intention to cut the grant by around £50 million across the next four years.
Deputy Bailhache also ripped into the current government for “plundering reserves” as a way of coping with an “inability to control expenditure” at the recent launch of his rebranded political party Advance Jersey.
His comments drew an immediate response from Deputy Sam Mézec, who released a video statement on social media accusing the veteran politician of wanting to “watch the island burn”.
The Housing Minister said the government’s plans would actually leave the Social Security Fund with £40 million more at the end of the four-year period than originally forecast, and rejected suggestions that Ministers were mismanaging island finances.
“What kind of plunderers leave you with £40m more than when you started?” he asked.
The Housing Minister also compared Deputy Bailhache to Jacob Rees-Mogg, and accused him of advocating for “backward” policies.
Deputy Mézec explained that the government is reallocating funds to support islanders through initiatives including free childcare for two to three-year-olds, a new back-to-school bonus, and expanding the pension plus scheme.
He contrasted the current government’s “progressive” policies with the “cruel” cuts that occurred last time Deputy Bailhache was in government.
“That just goes to show that not all politicians are the same,” said Deputy Mézec.
“Some are in politics to stand up for ordinary working people and take our society forward in a progressive direction.
“Others want to take us backwards and believe in this fairy tale stuff where if you simply pander to the super rich, their wealth will magically trickle down and benefit the rest of us, despite the fact all the evidence shows that doesn’t work.”