The States Assembly Podcast

Jersey was occupied by German forces during the Second World War. The Occupation had a huge impact on the daily lives of Islanders, with many aspects of 'normal' life' restricted or affected in some way by the new rules and regulations that were imposed. 

Large crowds gathered in the Royal Square in St. Helier to celebrate when Jersey was liberated on 9 May 1945. Liberation Day is now a public holiday in Jersey. Each year on 9 May, Islanders reflect on this important anniversary in the Island's history and come together to celebrate their enduring freedom.

In this episode we discuss the past, present and future including:

• How did the Occupation affect the States Assembly? 
• Did the politicians of the day continue to represent the people and make new laws?
• What do States Members do to observe Liberation Day today?
• How might Jersey's commemorations of Liberation Day change in the future?

Episode host: Emily Thomas
Interviewees: Dominic Butler; Will Millow

Get in touch with us if you have some feedback about the show, or if you want to suggest a topic for a future episode. Email [email protected] 

If you liked what you heard, please give us a star rating, add your review and subscribe!

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People who live in Jersey have the power to start a petition to call on the States Assembly - Jersey's elected parliament - for action or change.

What exactly is a petition? What power do they have? Do they really work to make change and improvement? How can you go about starting a petition, and what is the secret to success?

If you want to start an e-petition, click here: Start a petition - Petitions (gov.je), or for more information on how e-petitions work: How petitions work (gov.je)

If you think a hard copy petition is the best option for your cause, find out more about what you need to do here: Presenting a petition to the States (gov.je)

Interviewee: Will Millow
Episode host: Emily Thomas

Music: Pumpupthemind

Get in touch with us if you have some feedback about the show, or if you want to suggest a topic for a future episode. Email [email protected] 

If you liked what you heard, please give us a star rating, add your review and subscribe!

statesassembly.je

Jersey's States Members are expected to abide by the Code of Conduct for Elected Members and it's the job of the Commissioner for Standards to determine whether or not they have, when faced with a complaint.

Dr Melissa McCullough is the Pan-Island Commissioner for Standards. As Commissioner, she deals with complaints (and potential complaints) from States Members and Islanders.

In this interview Dr McCullough describes the background and experience that led to her appointment as Pan-Island Commissioner. She also talks about the importance of the Code of Conduct for Elected Members and the Seven Principles of Public Life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership).

Dr McCullough explains who can complain, how to make a complaint and what happens once a complaint is in motion.

Episode host: Emily Thomas
Special guest: Dr Melissa McCullough, Pan-Island Commissioner for Standards

Music: Pumpupthemind

Find out more about the Commissioner for Standards here.
Read about the complaints process here.

Contact the Commissioner:
Commissioner for Standards,
c/o States Greffe,
Morier House,
Halkett Place,
St. Helier,
Jersey
JE1 1DD

or by e-mail: [email protected]

Get in touch with us if you have some feedback about the show, or if you want to suggest a topic for a future episode. Email [email protected] 

If you liked what you heard, please give us a star rating, add your review and subscribe!

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Did you know that Jersey's politicians are allowed to speak any of 3 languages in States meetings? That means you could hear English, French or Jèrriais during the course of a meeting.

These days most of the States Assembly's business is conducted in English, but this wasn't always the case. The original language of Jersey's parliament was French, and it wasn't so long ago that it became possible for English to be used. Perhaps unexpectedly, the 'newest' language allowed in the Chamber is Jèrriais.

There are several times in States meetings where French is still traditionally used, for example during prayers and roll call. We talk about the history behind the evolution of the languages of Jersey politics, the practicalities of when Members choose to speak in French or Jèrriais, and we take a quick dip into the moments where the rules are broken and things veer into unparliamentary language!

Interviewee: Will Millow
Episode host: Emily Thomas

Music: Pumpupthemind

Get in touch with us if you have some feedback about the show, or if you want to suggest a topic for a future episode. Email [email protected] 

If you liked what you heard, please give us a star rating, add your review and subscribe!

statesassembly.je

Jersey's States Assembly was meeting and debating long before the States Chamber was built. Queen Victoria had been on the throne for 50 years when the 'new' building was first opened and used for a States Meeting in 1887.

In this episode the States Greffe's Dominic Butler shares some historical stories and background to the building and its design.  Who designed it? How has it changed over the years? And what's it like to actually be in the Chamber?

Some of this episode is recorded on location in the States Chamber, where we talk about the experience of sitting in the Public Gallery; take a look at the view from the Bailiff's chair; and test the microphones and voting buttons as used by States Members during meetings.

Interviewee: Dominic Butler
Episode host: Emily Thomas

Book tickets for a Blue Badge Guided tour:  Royal Court and States Chamber Tour Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Check the date of the next States Meeting and come to see the action in person from the States Chamber Public Gallery: States Assembly (gov.je)

Read more about the history of the States Chamber and the States Assembly: History and information about the States Assembly (gov.je) 

Get in touch with us if you have some feedback about the show, or if you want to suggest a topic for a future episode. Email [email protected] 

If you liked what you heard, please give us a star rating, add your review and subscribe!

statesassembly.je

Jersey's States Assembly has 49 elected members who can be appointed to different roles. How this happens is guided by the rules of the States Assembly - the 'Standing Orders'.

After a general election deciding appointments is the first job of the newly-elected Assembly. The very first appointment made is for Chief Minister.  Members can become government Ministers (part of the 'executive') or be made chair or member of a panel or committee (also called 'non-executive'). The Assembly votes on who gets which role.

During the four year term between elections, there can be 'casual' vacancies. These are often due to resignations, or may be as a result of a vote of no confidence. We discuss this and more with the Greffier and Deputy Greffier of the States.

Find out more about the process here: Procedural Explanations (gov.je) 

Episode host: Emily Thomas
Interviewees: Lisa Hart & Will Millow

Music by Pumpupthemind

Get in touch with us if you have some feedback about the show, or if you want to suggest a topic for a future episode. Email [email protected] 

If you liked what you heard, please give us a star rating, add your review and subscribe!

statesassembly.je

When the States Assembly has to debate a vote of no confidence it's a big deal. It is normal for a vote of no confidence - or 'VONC' - to hit the news headlines and get people talking. Sometimes this can create a bit of confusion. What is a VONC? Who can VONC whom? And how does the whole thing actually work?

The Greffier and Deputy Greffier of the States answer these questions and more in this episode. They give a politically impartial breakdown of several VONC scenarios and bust some myths about what can and cannot be done with a VONC.

Read more about VONCs here:  Procedural Explanations (gov.je) 

Episode host: Emily Thomas
Interviewees: Lisa Hart & Will Millow

Music by Pumpupthemind

Get in touch with us if you have some feedback about the show, or if you want to suggest a topic for a future episode. Email [email protected] 

If you liked what you heard, please give us a star rating, add your review and subscribe!

statesassembly.je

What happens to the money that you pay in taxes? And who decides how that money is spent?

Every year the States Assembly debates the 'Government Plan'. This is Jersey's budget. It's a key moment in the year where States Members - Jersey's elected representatives - can influence how public money is spent. 

This episode looks at the process behind the plan: how does the Island's budget go from the initial draft through to the final version which is amended and approved by our 49 politicians? We discuss the key ways in which the States Assembly considers, scrutinises, and amends the Government Plan.

We get into a fair amount of detail in this episode, from unpicking amendments to amendments (and even amendments to amendments to amendments!), to explaining the 'trick' the States Assembly has up its sleeve in getting taxation legislation passed in time for the new financial year.

Episode host: Emily Thomas
Interviewee: Will Millow

Music: Pumpupthemind

Get in touch with us if you have some feedback about the show, or if you want to suggest a topic for a future episode. Email [email protected] 

If you liked what you heard, please give us a star rating, add your review and subscribe!

statesassembly.je

This episode was originally released in November 2023 when the States Assembly was made up of 12 parish Connétables and 37 Deputies.

Calling all people who are:

• Not sure what the States Assembly is?
• New to Jersey?
• A bit confused when you hear people talking about deputies, constables, propositions, scrutiny...?

This is the explainer you need!

This is Jersey Politics 101 - where we take on the challenge of demystifying Jersey's political system in less than 20 minutes. Find out:

• What the States Assembly is
• What States Members are, and how they are elected
• What happens in States Meetings
• How Jersey laws are made
• The difference between the States Assembly and the Government of Jersey
• What Scrutiny is

The States Assembly Podcast is brought to you by the States Greffe, bringing you information and insights on how Jersey's political system works and how to make it work for you.

Episode co-hosts: Molly Gladwin; Emily Thomas

Get in touch with us if you have some feedback about the show, or if you want to suggest a topic for a future episode. Email [email protected] 

If you liked what you heard, please give us a star rating, add your review and subscribe!

statesassembly.je

This episode is an interview with Jennifer Long, who was appointed as independent States Members' Remuneration Reviewer in February 2023.

During the interview Jennifer explains that, as elected representatives in Jersey's States Assembly, States Members have a significant impact on the lives of Islanders. It's important that they are paid fairly for the work they do, while also being fair to taxpayers and constituents.  Jennifer's role as independent reviewer is to ensure that happens.

We asked Jennifer about how her previous experience in parliamentary and regulatory settings makes her suited to reviewing Jersey's politicians' pay. The conversation delves into some of the details of the review, such as how you decide on a fair wage for a role that has no formal job description, and whether States Members themselves have a say over what they get paid.

Click here for more information on the States Members' Remuneration Review.

Episode host: Emily Thomas
Interviewee: Jennifer Long

Get in touch with us if you have some feedback about the show, or if you want to suggest a topic for a future episode. Email [email protected] 

If you liked what you heard, please give us a star rating, add your review and subscribe!

statesassembly.je