Archive of the 2005 Jersey Elections

In their election manifesto, published on www.centreparty.com, the party say that they will fight against the introduction of both a sales tax and the ’20 means 20′ package to phase out tax allowances.

Both Senator Paul Le Claire and Kevin Lewis are Senatorial candidates in the upcoming election, and Darius Pearce has announced this week that he will be standing under the party’s banner for his campaign as a Deputy for St Helier No 3.

The party also say that they want more candidates to contest as many seats as possible.

Their manifesto covers policies on responsible immigration, fair taxation, community safety, housing policy, environmental development and legal reform.

It says: ‘A political party is accountable to its members and the voters.

It can provide the expertise necessary to scrutinise the executive arm of the government.

‘It will provide the continuity needed to carry through all the policies to which the voters agree.

‘We believe that the Centre Party and its policies will provide all of these requirements.

We are committed to fighting as many seats as possible in the 2005 Senatorial and Deputies elections to enable the residents of Jersey to obtain the representation they deserve and expect.

[Centre party manifesto, JEP coverage, 22 September 2005]

[Three more to stand for Centre party, JEP coverage, 3 October 2005]

DARIUS PEARCE

I have a sound theoretical basis as well as a rigorous training in scientific methodology from my politics degree and a genuine desire to ensure the brightest future for Jersey, but I realise that there is still much to learn. With Senators Walker, Le Sueur and Le Main having suggested that they are in their final terms of office I believe I would learn a lot from working with these senior Statesmen, whilst the opportunity is available.

I am a strong believer in the tradition of serving an apprenticeship as a deputy before seeking an island wide mandate.

St Helier 3&4 has a history of electing as deputy, the future statesmen of Jersey, including Senators Syvret, Ozouf and Le Sueur. I can think of no greater start in Jersey politics than the recommendation of this district.

What's the most important issue for your district?

I believe that the most important issue irrespective of district is the control of public expenditure. For too long Jersey’s inefficiencies have been hidden by a successful finance industry.

In St Helier we have successfully reined in parish expenditure and I would like to see the same process occur in the island administration, starting with a reduction in the number of States members.

CHIEF MINISTER: It is a virtual certainty that Senator Walker will be Chief Minister on the basis of members already elected and their stated intentions.

I do not believe, though, that either candidate is the right person for the job; Senator Walker only placed sixth three years ago and so lacks the support of the ballot box. Senator Syvret, though he will always be of benefit to the States, is ideologically too far to the left to prove acceptable as a Chief Minister for Jersey.

I will therefore abstain. There are certain members I would look to as future contenders; Ben Shenton and Phillip Ozouf, Jr. would seem to be the front runners, both having many commendable qualities, so I will keep a close watch on their performance for the next three years. 

[Candidates for St Helier Disrict 3 & 4 Elections, BBC News, 23 November 2005]