The first Hustings for the Senatorial Election kick off at 7.30 pm this evening Monday 15th August at St Saviour Parish Hall.  In a break with tradition the meeting will be chaired by a neutral chairman, Matthew Price of BBC.

My Economic , Social , Environment and Government policies for this 2016 Senatorial Election – comments welcome .

Comments on my updated 2016 manifesto pages are invited.

John has today published his outline manifesto identifying the key policy issues for the new Senator in the remaining 20 months of office , and what he can and will do , if elected , for the people of Jersey

Former Senator Nigel Queree, who was a very strong contender for Chief Minister, has endorsed John  Young in the Senatorial  Election. In his alternative nomination speech , in case Condor Ferries failed to get Advocate Christopher Scholefield is proposer back from France in time for Tuesday’s Nomination meeting , Nigel said

“John served very successfully as Deputy of St Brelade. Roy Le Herrisier described John as the star of the 2011 intake. It was a disappointment to many that he gave up his seat to fight the Senatorial election. If he had done so under the rules that applied when I was a Senator, he would have been one of our 12 Senators. 

It is essential that the successful candidate in this election can be effective from day 1 – John has shown he really knows how to be a successful backbencher – not only lodging propositions but winning support from fellow States’ members. As Deputy, he lodged 21 propositions. He is not a single-issue politician. He lodged 119 questions, on many subjects .

He has also an excellent track record as chair of the environment scrutiny panel, producing quality reports which resulted in Ministers changing their policies

He has fought for individual citizens experiencing injustices. John never turned anybody away; He has represented people at Complaints Boards, and planning panel and appeals, giving freely of his time.

John was extremely hard working and went way beyond the commitment we expected. He built up an excellent team and his staff clearly respected him. John is a very good leader.” 

The full text of Nigels proposals speech is on my download page  . Please do add a comment – via your facebook page please . Questions welcome.

Dear Elector,

The resignation of Zoe Cameron has taken us all by surprise. Now my work on the land use plan 2016 and planning law reform which I have completed during the past year for the people of Alderney has been approved by their States and succession arrangements in place, I have announced my candidacy in the Senatorial by- election to our States.

By its actions our Council of Ministers has proved itself out of touch with the people. It has appeared isolated, pursuing policies and making decisions without demonstrating the required balance between leadership and regard for public opinion.   There seems to be a bunker mentality. The Council of Ministers decisions have been defended at all costs by a well-resourced PR machine and some back benchers with an eye on their own political careers.  This emphasis on spin has eroded public confidence in government.  We need a breath of fresh air in Jersey politics combining honesty with a restoration of the culture of independent thinking which Ministerial collective responsibility has undermined. I can offer that new direction.

There is only a very short term time remaining and there will be no time or opportunity for a learning curve in how to use the States procedures to influence policy and achieve change.  The person elected will have only days to lodge amendments to the Council of Ministers proposed MTFP with its layers of tax increases , new and hidden charges and damaging front line service reductions, all of which will impact badly on middle Jersey. I have knowledge and experience of both sides of the government fence. I will be able to hit the ground running from the very first States sitting

I plan to publish my manifesto early next week. In the meantime anyone wishing to offer help in this election are requested to contact me on jhyoung@suakin.com or post a comment on my website www.johnhyoung.com including an email address and contact details.  I will reply to all as soon as possible after next Tuesday’s nomination meeting.

Thank you for your time in reading this post.

The timing of Senator Zoe Cameron’s resignation yesterday from the States of Jersey two years into her four year election term was unexpected.  Doing so on the last States day before the summer recess means the nomination meeting and Senatorial by- election is likely to be held during the peak holiday period of August and early September. The time to organise a campaign, funding and gather supporters to meet the  great demands of an all island election is very  limited . Those of us who lost out in 2014 election to Zoe and have since taken on new roles elsewhere which will need unwinding if we are to stand in the election have others to consult.

My plan , health and strength willing , is to stand in the 2018 Jersey elections and have arranged my Commitment in Alderney as the Islands Planning officer to be completed in May/ June 2017.  The first phase of my work reforming Planning law and producing a new land use plan for the island have been completed . The second phase has another twelve months to run.  There is a hold point , so I intend now to consult with my employer , family and supporters in Jersey. I will make a decision whether to stand in the by election shortly and just as soon the election timetable is announced

Almost by stealth . with ill considered and short termist planning decisions, the special character of Jersey is changing.  Maintaining the quality of island life is as important as economic and financial considerations.  It is time for government policies to strike a better balance . Conserving our built heritage is not just for those living in the countrysde and fine country houses, but for all islanders, urban and town residents included.  If we fail in this we run the risk of ruining our built environment and the high quality of life it provides which is so important to our economy

Extract from Rural Jersey Counry Life Magazine Summer 2016

Click downloads for full article

A LETTER FROM ALDERNEY – Text Published from Rural Jersey Country Life Magazine

( Feature with Alderney Photos – Use Download tab)

 By the former States of Jersey Deputy and Planning Chief Officer, JOHN YOUNG, now on a work contract in Alderney

LIVING and working in Alderney is to travel back 50 years.

St Anne‘s densely packed historic cottages and narrow cobbled streets is little changed since Queen Victoria’s day. Among them stands the Cathedral of the Channel Islands, St Anne’s Church, designed by Sir Gilbert Scott. Historic buildings and traditional shop fronts line both sides of Victoria Street, which rivals even St Aubin. Here we find the butcher, baker, florist, fishmonger, post office and chemist, but no UK chain stores. It is a living street; people shop and take time to chat. Shops still close for lunch, handwritten signs like ‘open 11- ish’ or ‘phone me if you want anything’ are on display everywhere. There are no parking charges or traffic congestion.

Alderney‘s winter population of 1,800 people rises to 3, 000 when second home owners return and visitors in the short summer season bring the Island to life. Alderney Week in August surpasses Jersey’s Battle with its wackiness and sheer family fun. Its week-long carnival of events provides something for everybody. Some people call it madness but it bonds the whole community.

Alderney’s environment is almost totally unspoilt with breathtaking seascapes. Burhou Island is home to its puffins. One of the largest gannet colonies in Europe can be seen and heard from the cliffs close offshore. All green zone land outside St Anne is protected from any development by law and much of it is publicly accessible. Alderney, with its tracks across the open heaths and wild cliffs is ideal for walking along with fishing, sailing, cycling and outdoor pursuits.   With no light pollution Alderney‘s night skies are heavenly.

Victorian forts dominate the coastline. Some are used as homes or holiday retreats; others stand as huge economic opportunities. Occupation structures are literally everywhere and many have been put to practical use. Lager Stylt, one of four forced labour camps in Alderney was the only SS concentration camp sited on British soil. Its ugly concrete gate pillars still stand carrying only a modest plaque serving as a testament to a very dark period in the Island’s history. It will never be known for certain how just many people died in Alderney during the occupation. At least 400 people lost their lives here but the other sources suggest a greater number. Unlike Jersey and Guernsey there were no local witnesses to tell the tale. Tragically, after Liberation many Russian prisoners who survived forced labour here ended their days in Stalin’s Siberian gulags.

The Island currently faces huge economic challenges after the recession. Air fares have risen beyond many Islanders’ pockets. Alderney’s lifeline links to Guernsey and Southampton have been reduced to a minimal level; the link with Jersey is no more. With no ferry service serving Alderney, its population has declined in recent years and visitor numbers reduced. Many Islanders are highly critical about ‘Aurigny, the Islanders’ airline’.

Businesses viability has suffered. Some shops and hotels in St Anne are unoccupied but opportunity abounds and offers excellent value for prospective purchasers, compared to Jersey. There are no barriers to incomers setting up businesses or buying or leasing property in Alderney. New residents are welcomed, be they workers, retirees or affluent second home owners.

The States of Alderney is working hard to turn around the Island’s economic fortunes but Alderney is dependent on Guernsey and taxes are paid to Guernsey. Political members in both Islands are working to provide incentives and encourage opportunities. Alderney is already well ahead of Jersey in renewable energy. The new FAB ( France, Alderney, Britain) cable route is now being surveyed in advance of construction in 2017 and is due to connect into the tidal power project expected to start generating power from the Alderney race early in the next decade, bringing financial benefits to the Island.

Having lived and worked in Alderney since last May as Alderney’s Planning Officer with the task of reforming the Island’s planning system, my experience has given me a different insight into resolving Jersey’s problems. Retirement does not seem to apply here; people’s skills are put to use well into their 80’s. Alderney is resilient; it makes best use of its scarce resources and lives within its means.

I am even more convinced that greater inter-Island cooperation is essential to the future of all the Channel Islands. I hope in my further letters to report on these policy insights and my progress with planning reforms. In the meantime please do come up to visit our Northern Isle, despite the travel problems. Trust me – it is well worth the effort.

I want to offer a big thank you to all the 7095 people throughout the island who voted for me in this senatorial election and all the many kind comments of support which i have received.

I am truly sorry that my performance fell short of that required to be elected and have disappointed all the people who backed me.  I really hope those who did suceed in this election and take on ministerial positions will represent you equally as well had the outcome been different.