Politics

For information on local politics!

Politics

Basic Politics

Politics affects every aspect of our lives, whether you're interested or not.

In Jersey you need to be 16 or over to vote and registered on the electoral role.

Jersey has 3 parts to it's government; the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.

Jersey is governed by the States of Jersey, which in 2006 moved to a Ministerial form of Government.

The Main Players

The Judiciary

This is the part of the States that enforces the laws. The Royal and Magistrates  Courts, the court of appeal, the youth court and the youth court of appeal form the Judiciary.

The Bailiff

Appointed by the Queen of England and is the Head of the States and Head of the Judiciary (unique to the Channel Islands)

The Deputy Bailiff

Also appointed by the Crown

The Lieutenant-Govenor

Appointed ny the Crown and is her representative of the Island.

The Attorney General and the Solicitor general are also appointed by the Queen. Law officers of the Crown and legal advisors to the states of Jersey.

The Dean of Jersey

Appointed by the Church of England. Head of Anglican Church and Chaplin to the States of Jersey.

The Greffier

Appointed by the Bailiff and is the Clerk of the States of Jersey

The Viscount

Appointed by the bailiff and carries Royal Mace intot he States Chamber. The Viscount has powers in relation to inquests, post-mortems and bankruptcy.

The Legislature

This is where the laws and policies are passed. 53, elected, States members in total, amke up the Legislature.

This is similar to the Parliment of the UK, which is the house of Commons and the House of Lords.

Jersey, however does not come under the UK Parliment, but is linked to the Crown via the Department of Constitutional Affairs.

Senators

12 in total, elected by all voters in Jersey and are in office for 6 years.

Connetables

12 in total, one from each Parish, elected by the voters in their Parish, for a term of 3 years.

Deputies

29 in total, elected by the voters in their district.

Some of these districts are parishes, but some larger parishes, like St Helier, St Brelade and St Saviour, have 3 or 4 Deputies. This is a 3 year term of office.

The Council of Ministers

This is part of the States that propose or suggests new laws and policies. This is like the Cabinet of Ministers in the UK, which has the prime Minister as the head of the Government.

The Chief Minister is jersey's equivalent of the prime minister in the UK.

There are 10 Ministries or Government Departments. These are:

  • Cheif Ministers Department
  • Economic Development
  • Education, Sport & Culture
  • Health & Social Services
  • Home Affairs
  • Housing
  • Planning and Environment
  • Social Security
  • Transprot & Technical Services 
  • Treasury & Resources

Each of these departments has a Minister & Assistant Minister, who are elected, who are elected politicians and a Chief Officer, who is a civil servant - these people are the heads of their departments.

Other Players 

Scrutiny

Jersey's Scrutiny is like a govenrment "watch dog" and is similar to the Parlimentary Committees in the UK.

Scrutiny is made up of The Chairmen's Committee, the Public Accounts Committee and 4 Scrutiny panels, which are:

  • Corporate Services panel
  • Environmental Panel
  • Economic Affairs
  • Social Affairs

Direct Action - Petitions

If you feel strongly about any issue or cause, you can start a petition.

You should outline the issue at the top of each page, ad get people to sign it. They would need to put down their address or contact details.

Once you've got all your signatures, hand the petition to your Deputy or into the States Building.

The European Union (EU)

Jersey is not part of the EU, the Island opted out under Protocol 3, when the UK joined in 1973.

If you were born in Jersey and your parents and grand-parents were also born here, you can't live or work in an EU country.

If any of your parents/grand-parents were born in the UK or any EU country, then you can live/work in the EU.

Check this in the first couple of pages of your passport to find out. If it says 'The Bearer can not live or work in the EU,' then you can't automatically live or work in an EU country.