'Unfinished business' means next elections more important than ever
THE forthcoming election for people's deputies has been described by several political commentators as perhaps the most important in a generation. In this instance we believe this is no exaggeration. A number of wholly new factors are going to coincide which convince us that this is one election every islander should take part in.
The Assembly that gathers after the 2016 election will be significantly different from any that has gone before. The number of deputies forming the new administration will have been drastically reduced.
Given the number of sitting members already giving notice they will not seek re-election, this means the numbers of new members entering the next States is therefore likely to be even higher than we have seen in recent years.
This is important as the net result will inevitably be a much less politically experienced States than ever before. A further complicating factor is that this Assembly will inevitably leave a significant amount of 'unfinished business'; this to be completed by whomsoever the public elect to continue the work of government.
We believe the parts of this unfinished business that should concern islanders the most are those to do with the decisions taken so far on the new population regime and the many arrangements agreed by this Assembly to enable a transfer from one system to the other to take place.
We believe, based on our experience of managing the existing Housing Control laws, the present States are sleep-walking into a population and housing crisis. Not content with removing the TRP protection from the 'affordable' end of the local housing market, the
States decided in December last year to remove the cap on population numbers.
This, in our view, can only result in increased pressure on an already stressed housing market. Coupled with rocketing living costs, this is already causing an exodus of many of our young islanders, unable to find affordable homes.
Not only will these decisions add yet further pressure on the 'affordable' end of the housing market, we believe they will also result in increased competition for jobs, as the removal of the population cap provides employers with an opportunity to bring in qualified staff from outside the island rather than spend time, money and effort training local residents for these posts.
It is not too late to change these ill-thought-out decisions, but this means electing members to the new Assembly who are prepared to reverse these changes.
We will be seeking to ensure these matters become 'election issues' nearer polling day to make all candidates seeking election to the new Assembly aware of our concerns.
Perhaps most important of all, islanders will be looking to the next Assembly to pursue policies that ensure better access to affordable housing and which provide some degree of protection for employees from low-cost imported labour.
We understand the closing date for inclusion on the electoral register is the end of February 2016. We therefore urge all islanders who share our concerns to ensure they are able to take part in the next election by enrolling in good time.
GLORIA DUDLEY OWEN and GRAHAM GUILLE.
