Newsletter - June 2025

Policy Brief on 2026 election

On 15 May the Policy Centre published a comprehensive brief on the 2026 General Election. The Brief explains election law, reviews initiatives to increase turnout and describes the arrangements for the elections of 12 constables, 9 senators and 28 deputies. The Brief notes that the necessary legislation to provide for the reinstatement of senators has not yet been drafted. The Brief will be updated when new information becomes available.

No decision on automatic registration of electors

The States Assembly on 13 May considered a proposition to introduce automatic registration of electors. This would increase the size of the electorate but reduce the published turnout percentage. Given that people would not be able to opt out of being on the register it was proposed that election candidates would no longer have access to the register. The members of the Assembly did not like this so referred back the proposition. The Policy Centre’s Research Paper Election Turnout in Jersey comprehensively analyses issues relation to election turnout.

Fiscal Policy Panel economic forecasts

Jersey’s Fiscal Policy Panel published its Economic Outlook on 19 May. Key points included -

• Jersey’s economy declined by 1.5% in 2024, largely because of falling bank profits.
• The number of jobs grew by 0.8% in 2024 but this employment growth was largely limited to the public sector.
• Inflation generated on-island has increased and will persist.
• The economy will remain subdued in 2025 with 0.4% real growth.

The Centre’s Policy Brief Economic Trends has been updated to include the forecasts.

Alcohol licensing consultation response published

On 20 May the Government published a summary of, and response to, the responses to its consultation exercise on alcohol licensing.

On 30 May the ban of pubs offering drinks promotions was ended.

The Centre has updated its Policy Brief Alcohol Licensing to include the response and the lifting of the ban. The Brief sets out the long history of the issue and includes links to all relevant documents.

Discussion meeting on voter turnout

On 20 June the Centre will hold a discussion meeting on how to increase turnout in Jersey elections. Turnout is lower than is all OECD countries and is heavily biased toward the elderly, owner-occupiers and those living in rural areas. Surveys show that people don’t vote because they don’t want to, not because it is difficult. The meeting will discuss what can be done to increase turnout.

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