The circular-arrow logo of the newly-formed Steve Party has been the butt of many jokes since the party was formed several months ago. Such ribbing has, however, never been more appropriate as it is today - a few days ago, the public got a sneak peak of some of the party's new 'progressive' policies, as reported here in the local rag. One wonders just how deep Senator Pallett had to dig through the shredding bin to cook up some of these.
Bear in mind here that the Prolapsers have described their proposals, with a straight face no less, as a 'bold and innovative plan'. Really? Some policies listed in the rag report include the following:
- cap social housing rents below 90% of the private market rate
- a ‘comprehensive review’ of all public-owned property, and commission an expert to conduct a feasibility study on developing land to the east of Fort Regent and Pier Road car park
- cut down the planning barriers to residential construction
- a 'strategic analysis process to understand the needs of the economy' in response to migration, which would inform a points-based system 'based on economic need and industry specific requirements'
- 'Now would not be the right time to put up tax' - instead, the government should run a deficit
You hardly need to be an expert on Jersey's politics to know that absolutely nothing proposed here is either bold or innovative, and in fact reflects long-held fantasy 'solutions' advocated particular elements of the Jersey establishment. Reform Jersey have for years advocated a freeze on social housing rents and UK 'affordable rents' are already set at 80% of the market rate ('social' rents are set at 50%!). Notice how this is the only policy here with even the most vague element of certainty about it - the Steves have not said that they want to actually build more homes, or that they want X or Y sort of person coming to Jersey, or that X social programme should be funded with Y revenue stream. Rather, they have advocated for 'comprehensive reviews', 'strategic analysis', a feasibility study, and pegged their ideas about population to a bunch of platitudes about economic requirements (duh, guys). Obviously they're not for any tax increases, because the idea of increasing taxes to fund social programs is anathema in our island's halls of power and this lot have no interest whatsoever in challenging this. Various individuals from the UAE-on-sea crowd have been calling for the parishes to be tarmacked for years (for that is what 'cutting down planning barriers' actually means, for the avoidance of any doubt) and advocates for a 'points-based immigration system' are a dime a dozen, doubtless informed by the continued repetition of that phrase in the UK by Brexit advocates, and, more recently, Boris Johnson's Tory government. The Prolapsers have proven themselves better at recycling than even the boys down at La Collette!
I think this 'reduce, reuse, recycle' attitude towards policy on the part of the Steves speaks more broadly to what exactly the Progress Party really is. Steve Pallett quit the government because nobody wanted to listen to him, constantly banging on about Fort Regent yet effecting absolutely no 'progress' whatsoever; Steve Luce, a man who has not faced an election in ten years, was laughed out the door after his delusional offering of jobs to some of his colleagues if they backed him for CM (lay off the spice, mate); Eddie Noel was bullied out of office by Facebook trolls after nine years, after which he claimed his 'proudest achievement' was the disused cycle track along St Peter's Valley. The reality with this lot is that the Prolapse Party is not a progressive new entry into Jersey politics but a glorified rebranding scheme for a clique of failed politicians trying to save their careers and reputations, and their 'progressivism' is merely a shield for the same old failed policies. Everything they do, others have done before, and far better as well. Don't waste your time with these cretins.
