Political activist aims for town Deputy seat

Sunday 15 May 2022

The activist behind the ‘Ring around the Finance Centre’ and ‘Save People’s Park’ campaigns is standing for election in St. Helier Central.

St. Helier Roads Committee member and owner of Hallmark Cards John Baker is hoping to take one of five Deputy seats in the district.

As well as Chairing the West of Town Community Association, Mr Baker has been an active member of the Friends of Our New Hospital group.

He helped tie red ribbons around the trees on Westmount and People's Park to raise awareness of the trees that could be lost to make way for the highway up to a new hospital at Overdale.

Mr Baker says plans for the new hospital are "not fit for purpose" and "too expensive", and also argues that the Jersey Care Model "does not suit our island."

He says he would like to see more modular housing and "innovative" building solutions to address the island's housing challenges, and believes zero-ten and GST need a "complete rethink".

Looking to the environment and farming, Mr Baker, who is behind the Jersey Action Group and Earth Project Jersey, would like more efforts to be made to "stop the decline in the quality of the soils from intense monoculture" and would like to see green spaces put "to better use".

He would also like to see "a frequent hopper bus service ad better routes for cyclists" in town, and efforts directed towards embracing renewable energies and enhancing biodiversity.

Explaining why he had chosen to stand in St. Helier Central, Mr Baker said: "I am Jersey-born and have lived in this district as a child.

"I live and work in the Parish where I run my own business. I have served the Parish for over 30 years.

"I am a member of the Parish Roads Committee and Accounts Committee.

"With this background, I feel I can do much more as a Town Deputy to benefit the Parish and its residents. I am a strong environmentalist. I will work towards a cleaner and greener town, a better place for all."