Newsletter - July 2025

Policy Brief on Carbon Neutral Roadmap updated

An updated version of the Centre’s Brief Carbon Neutral Roadmap was published on 2 June. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the issue, including summaries of and links to all the key documents and analysis of policy measures.

Jersey has committed to reduce emissions from the 1990 baseline level by 68% by 2030. Since 2003 emissions have fallen by an average of 1.0% a year. Emissions fell by 2.9% in 2022 and 0.2% in 2023. To achieve the 2030 target, emissions will need to be reduced by 41% from the 2023 figure, an annual rate of 7%. This target is not achievable with the current policies.

Discussion meeting on voter turnout

On 20 June the Centre held a discussion meeting on voter turnout. Jersey’s turnout rate is the lowest in the world and is particularly low for tenants and young people. Initiatives to increase turnout include automatic registration of voters and having the election on a Sunday. Among the points made in discussion was the need significantly to improve education on the political system. This discussion linked to lack of trust in the political system, voters being disillusioned by politicians elected on the basis of promises which they have no ability to implement. A full note of the discussion is on the website.

Guernsey’s election

Guernsey’s election was on 18 June. Turnout in Guernsey's elections has been much higher than in Jersey’s, 80% at the 2020 election. At the 2026 election voter registration fell significantly and the published turnout figure was 72%. However, this is misleading because only just over half of people entitled to vote registered to do so. On a comparable basis with Jersey, Guernsey's election turnout was about 50%.

Guernsey has a single constituency with 38 members. There is disillusionment with the system and there will be pressure for change. There was a significant turnover of members, 12 sitting members losing their seats. Lindsay de Sausmarez, who topped the poll, was subsequently elected President of the Policy and Resources Committee, effectively the Chief Minister .

Jersey’s 2026 election

The States Assembly has agreed to introduce automatic registration of electors. The original proposition was referred back as it would not allow candidates to have access to the electoral register. This will now be permitted. The effect of automatic registration will be to increase significantly the number of people on the electoral register. This should increase the number who actually vote but is likely to reduce the published turnout figure. The Centres Policy Brief 2026 General Election has been updated to reflect this decision.

The proposed legislation to reinstate senators will be published in July and debated by the Assembly in September.

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