The States Assembly Podcast

Who are the people who make our laws, set our taxes, decide how Jersey should be run? And what do they all do? Jersey politics features a whole host of different roles that could be unfamiliar to you. There are: Constables (a.k.a. Connétables); Deputies; the Bailiff; the Greffier of the States; the Attorney General and Solicitor General; and more!In this episode Lisa Hart and Will

Following on from our previous episode 'Jersey Scrutiny 101', we finish off the interview with Andy and Will and cover how Jersey isn't on its own in doing parliamentary scrutiny, what it takes to be an effective scrutineer and discover what it is that makes the Island's Public Accounts Committee the envy of other jurisdictions.Interviewees: Andy Harris; Will MillowEpisode host: Em

If you follow the news or have any interest at all in how taxpayers' money - your money - is spent in Jersey, then you must surely have heard references to 'Scrutiny'.As mentioned in our 'Jersey Politics 101' podcast episode, Scrutiny is how politicians make sure that the government is held to account by checking and challenging policies, laws and the spending of public money.What

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 n

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 pe

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 th

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

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 chan

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 'exe

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 m