Select a region
In recent weeks, you, like me, may have been followed around the internet by “fearless creativity” – in the form of some exceptionally well-dressed martians hounding me to “delete ordinary” and a Barbie pink convertible on steroids.
The algorithmically induced acid trip was, incredibly, the work of classic car brand Jaguar. The biggest change in its 102-year history, the rebrand was aimed at showcasing its shiny, all-electric future.
So polarising was the campaign that it has simultaneously been described as “genius” and “woke nonsense” (actually, the term was stronger than that). Others just had one word, “why?” If it ain’t broke, after all… Well, it was a bit.
It’s all well and good being part of the fabric of British culture – but not when that means you blend in like a pair of old curtains. As some motoring journalists pointed out, sales fell from 180,000 in 2018 to fewer than 67,000 in 2023, so surely a surge in attention and the introduction to a new, potentially younger audience is to be welcomed?
Sometimes reinventing the wheel – or wheels, in this case – can be productive.
It’s always interesting to see which ‘wheels’ successive States Assemblies and Governments try to reinvent. This term brought us the renaming of Ministerial portfolios, the Government Plan and, most recently, another Government department (RIP CLS) – but there’s one they always return to: the Bailiff.
Just weeks after Sir Timothy Le Cocq announced his retirement in 2025, a fresh political bid to make a fundamental changes to the centuries-old role in the name of democracy was launched – then abruptly withdrawn.
Shortly after announcing his departure, but before the now-ditched proposal, Sir Timothy kindly took the time to speak in-depth about the demands of his role and enormous privilege of being the island’s 90th Bailiff during what has been one of the most turbulent periods since the Occupation (Unplugged, P24). He explains the great lengths he has gone to make the role more “accessible”, why he doesn’t think it should meet its end while it is still “doing good”, whether there could be a female Bailiff in future, and even treats us to a glimpse of his impressive sword collection.
One wonders, if only a fraction of the political energy expended on examining the Bailiff’s role had been applied to engaging with young people and their needs, would so many be leaving?
Our special report on the 'Bean Drain' (P4) examines the serious existential threat posed to the island by the Zillennial exodus, its causes, and what must be done to reverse it. The perception of the young people we spoke to is that there is little political will – I hope they’ll be proven wrong. Perhaps with the ferry saga out of the way, and DFDS chosen, there’ll be more time for our leaders to attack the issue…
Featuring interviews with everyone from multi-million brand-builders to the likes of baristas, DJs, landscapers and surf-preneurs, this year’s editions of Connect are a mere snapshot of why we’re all richer for nurturing our own talent and encouraging it to come home. Thank you to all of those who have trusted us with their stories, and to the tireless champions of business at the Chamber of Commerce (P38) who work so hard behind the scenes discussing solutions and snipping red tape to make Jersey a welcoming environment to work.
We wish them, and all of our readers, a relaxing festive break and sparkling 2025.
Until then, enjoy Connect.
