Centre Party (Jersey)

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The Centre Party is a recently developed political party in Jersey. It formed in 2005, in advance of changes to the system of government in Jersey from a committee to a ministerial system of government. Its first chairman was Larry Adams.

In 2006 the Centre Party renewed its commitment to instituting change in Jersey. At the 2006 Annual Meeting, Roger Benest was elected to serve as chairman with Larry Adams taking the role of Deputy Chairman.

[edit] Policies

The party is middle-of-road in terms of the left-right spectrum, it is left-of-centre in areas of taxation, healthcare and the environment, however it is right-of-centre by being against the island's many monopolies such as over electricity, gas, telecommunications & dairy products and to allow right-to-buy over state-owned housing.

Policies for the 2005 elections were:

Against the proposed 3% GST
Against the continuation of the 20% income tax
Abolish the Vehicle Registration Duty for smaller cars
Would like to introduced PAYE
Would like to introduce a Manx style immigration policy
Would like to introduced right-to-buy for State tenants.
Encourage fish-farming and organic farming
Encourage the use of renewable energy
Give the right for British legal staff to work in Jersey Courts
Separation of the spheres of executive and judicial areas.

[edit] Election results

In the Jersey general elections, 2005 two Centre Party candidates were nominated for Senator. Neither was successful, with sitting Senator Paul Le Claire losing his seat. His fellow unsuccessful Senatorial candidate was Kevin Lewis.

The party announced that due to the difference in nature of Jersey Senatorial and Deputy elections, the Centre Party would not propose candidates for Deputy elections. A move which was followed by the Jersey Democratic Alliance shortly thereafter.

A number of party members contested the 2005 elections for Deputy as independents and both Senatorial candidates were duly elected, although Deputy Le Claire indicated he would step down from being active in the party.

In 2006 the Centre Party indicated that it would support candidates in the 2008 Senatorial elections and renewed its commitment to implement its policies.