The States Assembly Podcast States Greffe - Jersey, Channel Islands

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 now a public holiday in Jersey. Each year on 9 May, Islanders reflect on this important anniversary in the Is...

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 petition - Petitions (gov.je), or for more information on how e-petitions work: How petitions work (gov.je)If you t...

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 this interview Dr McCullough describes the background and experience that led to her appointment as Pan-Island Comm...

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 became possible for English to be used. Perhaps unexpectedly, the 'newest' language allowed in the Chamber is Jèr...

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 changed over the years? And what's it like to actually be in the Chamber?Some of this episode is recorded on lo...

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 'executive') or be made chair or member of a panel or committee (also called 'non-executive'). The Assembly vot...