Senators - a vote for the status quo

From our Presenter Jess Dunsdon

For me, the results of the Senatorial election are very interesting. Since the roles are elected on an island-wide basis, the outcome tells us a great deal about what islanders want from their politicians. And it seems this time, it's largely a vote for the status quo.

Six out of eight are sitting Senators and almost all of them describe their style of politics as centre right. The vast majority are white men in suits, who believe in low taxes, supporting the finance industry, reducing red tape for businesses, and individuals taking responsibility for their lives so that the benefits system is a life support, not a lifestyle. Is this a reflection of the views of islanders, or a reflection that only comfortable middle-class people vote? That I can't answer, although I suspect it's a bit of both.

However, you can't ignore the social conscience that is Deputy Andrew Green, a man who has overseen the biggest overhaul of social housing in the island's history. A £250 million transformation programme which has moved hundreds of people out of sub-standard accommodation that had an £80 million backlog of maintenance. And contrary to what some may think, most people in social housing are hard-working, low paid islanders who were being seriously let down by their landlord, the States. Andrew Green has changed that, and perhaps his election is a vote of support for the work he has done to help those worst off in society.

The only disappointment perhaps is that only one out of the eight Senators is a woman. Scrutiny stalwart Sarah Ferguson was replaced by another woman, Zoe Cameron. But it's worth considering why the island has chosen to substitute a politician with 12 years' experience, with someone who has none. Two letters... GP. I don't think it's a coincidence that at a time when Jersey is about to build a new £300 million pound hospital, has an ageing population that's putting strain on the health service and mental health provision which is failing islanders, that the people have chosen to elect someone with working knowledge to sit in the heart of government. It'll be interesting to see if that knowledge now gets lost in the politics.

So that's it. The campaigning is done, the votes have been cast and the result is generally a case of 'same old, same old'. But whether old or new to politics, all will face scrutiny over the next three and a half years. And when May 2018 comes around, they'll all be judged on whether they've delivered on their promises.