Introducing the New States Assembly

Lunch and learn webinar with the States Greffe’s Education and Outreach team

9 Oct 2026

Following June’s election, our latest lunch and learn welcomed back the States Greffe’s Education and Outreach team – Jennie Le Cornu and Heidi Whitehead – to explore Jersey’s new States Assembly, how political decisions are made and the ways islanders can remain involved throughout the four-year term.

Building on our earlier webinar about Jersey’s political system and voting, the session provided a practical post-election update. It covered the distinction between the States Assembly and Government, the role of scrutiny, and the proposed policy and spending priorities relevant to people working in finance.

Opening the webinar, Jersey Finance’s Head of Marketing, Louise Burrows, highlighted why this matters to our industry: politicians need to understand its contribution to jobs, public finances and the island’s wider prosperity, alongside what finance professionals and businesses need to continue to thrive.

Read on for the key takeaways.

1. A mix of familiar and new faces

The team outlined how June’s election shaped the new Assembly, with 33 members retained, 13 newly elected politicians and three returning after a break. Women now make up nearly half of the Assembly, with members bringing a broad range of ages, backgrounds and experience.

The session also explored changes in voter participation. Automatic voter registration significantly expanded the electoral register and almost 2,500 more people voted than in 2022.

Among those completing the election-day survey, 22% were first-time voters. The findings reinforced the importance of accessible information and political education in helping people feel able to participate.

2. Get to know who represents you as a starting point

Jersey’s Assembly comprises 49 elected members: nine senators, 12 Connétables and 28 deputies. Senators represent the whole Island, Connétables oversee their respective parishes as well as serving in the Assembly, and deputies represent constituencies.

All members have equal powers to propose, debate and vote on laws and policies. This means that members outside ministerial roles also have a voice in the decisions shaping Jersey’s future.

The team encouraged attendees to use the constituency finder on the States Assembly website to identify their representatives. You can approach elected members about issues ranging from housing and education to health and the environment.

3. The Assembly and Government have different responsibilities

A central theme was the distinction between Jersey’s parliament and its Government.

The States Assembly makes and revises laws and policies.

The Government, comprising the Chief Minister, ministers and assistant ministers, puts decisions into action and runs the Island day to day.

Following the public election, Assembly members elect the Chief Minister and other ministers. The session also explained the principle that Government members remain a minority within the Assembly, requiring wider support for proposals to pass.

For finance professionals, understanding ministerial responsibilities can help identify where a particular issue sits. For example, Treasury and Resources covers matters including taxation and public finances; Economic Development focusses on growth, productivity and business development; and External Relations oversees Jersey’s international relationships and reputation.

4. What the proposed priorities mean for our industry

The team spoke about the proposed Common Strategic Policy, which sets out the Government’s aims for the political term under four pillars: cost of living, competitiveness, investment and financial stability.

Of particular relevance to the industry is the proposed priority to secure Jersey’s position as a leading international finance centre while growing the wider economy.

Actions highlighted during the session included:

Implementing recommendations from the Time to Win competitiveness review
Developing the International Finance Centre 2 project
Supporting growth in non-financial sectors
Responding to the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence

The speakers also highlighted proposals to reduce unnecessary business regulation and keep Government fees and charges as low as possible.

The policy is currently subject to Assembly review, with Assembly Members able to propose amendments before the anticipated December debate.

Businessman cycling away from camera along a modern waterfront promenade.

5. Budget decisions affect both working life and Island life

Alongside strategic policy, the proposed budget sets out the financial framework for Government income and expenditure. The session explored its emphasis on short-term cost-of-living support, longer-term economic growth and balanced public finances.

Proposals discussed included changes to income tax thresholds, child allowances and childcare relief, alongside investment in healthcare, education and infrastructure. These illustrated how political decisions affect finance professionals as employees, parents and members of the wider community.

As with the Common Strategic Policy, the proposed budget remains open to review and amendment. Following both documents helps build an understanding of how strategic ambitions connect with funding and delivery.

6. How scrutiny helps shape decisions

Scrutiny panels examine and challenge the Government’s work, reviewing proposals and assessing how existing policies operate in practice. They can request documents, hear from witnesses and gather views from businesses and Islanders.

Two panels were highlighted as particularly relevant to finance:

Corporate Services, which examines areas including taxation and public finances
Economic and International Affairs, which reviews matters including financial services, the wider economy and external relations.

People working in finance can contributing relevant experience to a scrutiny review as a way to help decision-makers understand the effects of policy on businesses, employees and clients.

Share your views

Woman works on a tablet outdoors in front of a corporate building.

7. Stay involved after the election

The session closed with practical ways to stay informed and contribute beyond election day. You can:

Contact your elected States Members or attend constituency drop-in sessions
Share relevant views and evidence with scrutiny panels
Watch Assembly debates and public scrutiny meetings, in person or online
Start or sign petitions about local issues you feel strongly about
Arrange a States Chamber tour or invite a States Member to visit your organisation
Subscribe to the States Assembly newsletter for updates on current business

Recordings of Assembly meetings are also available online, allowing islanders to follow particular debates at a convenient time.

By staying engaged, the fin ace industry will create opportunities to explain the work we do, share practical experience and better understand the decisions shaping Jersey’s future.