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A few weeks ago we described the lack of an effective population policy as the biggest failing of ministerial government...well, now that one has finally been published, that hasn’t changed.
Given that islanders consistently report this as their main topic of concern – and given that it underpins every other policy this government will produce – you might be forgiven for expecting some leadership.
You know, like bold policy initiatives, innovative thinking, an inspiring way forward perhaps, bonding together the twin aspirations of economy and environment.
There’s an old philosophical question about whether a tree falling in an empty wood actually even makes a sound - this was the political version. It made rather less impact than a single pine needle dropping lightly onto a thick fireside rug.
After many years of waiting, this was supposed to be the ‘ta daaaa’ moment for ministers.
Assistant Chief Minister Deputy Rowland Huelin (in what was promoted to journalists as an “informal discussion”, but actually turned out to be the recording session for a new government podcast, with the island’s media as willing ‘extras’) was pushed forward as the Minister Without A Policy.
Pictured: the policy aims to reduce reliance on inward migration in the longer term.
Here’s the key statement:
“The Council of Ministers considers that the aim of its Common Population Policy should be to achieve a stable population position for Jersey, where reliance on inward migration has been significantly reduced in the longer term.”
And the reason there is nothing (literally anything) more specific than that is…we don’t yet have the data.
So, in terms of policy statements, the whole 120-page document could be summarised as...“better data, better migration controls and better use of the people here already.”
That’s it. Enjoy the silence, people.
On THE key question facing Jersey as it goes into 2022, that’s all we have. So far, none of the emerging or established political parties has taken up our challenge to do better than that - voters will surely demand that they do.
Pictured: there are no clear policy statements on what level of population in Jersey is sustainable or desirable.
By getting a policy (any policy) published on this issue, Ministers have just ticked off an item on their ‘to do’ lists.
But what they have actually done by whispering apologetically, when islanders wanted clear and decisive leadership, is given their opponents carte blanche to set out the battle lines for the forthcoming election.
Some of that has begun already, and will continue this week with the Government Plan debate and some senior figures such as Senator Ian Gorst clearly breaking ranks over the eye-watering scale of debt we are steadily accruing.
As the New Year fug recedes, expect the road to get much more bumpy for ministers as the government fragments into its component political camps.
Rather than sending out a clear message on this crucial topic, the government has done the political equivalent of tossing a football into a packed penalty area and seeing who wants to boot it into their own net.
They have turned a tough topic toxic, and that will be used time-and-time again between now and June as a touch-stone for ministerial non-delivery.
Ultimately, that’s a real shame. Because this issue matters very deeply, and beyond the hurly-burly of political point-scoring, it is one that Jersey has to get right.
So far...silence.
Population policy "will be no silver bullet"
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