Public debate should contribute to understanding politics

The Bailiff of Jersey has issued advice to persons applying to take part in a public debate in the States Chamber.

The subject of the People’s Debate is how ambitious Jersey should be in pursuing a net zero carbon dioxide emissions target and what lifestyle and legislative changes would be required to achieve this goal.

Bailiff Sir Timothy Le Cocq, who will chair the debate, said it was an opportunity to hear what ideas that people had “thought through very carefully” would sound like in a public forum.

The debate is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 28.

The States Assembly expressed hope that the debate would encourage people to stand for election in 2026.

Sir Timothy encouraged people to apply, saying: “You want to think about what it means to stand up and talk and put forward ideas that you yourself may have already thought through very carefully.”

“But it’s a different thing when you have to use them. You have to say them on the campaign trail, when you stand up, and here in the Assembly this is a really good opportunity to say them.

“You’ll find out what they sound like.”

He said it was not an “easy thing” to stand up and make an argument.

“The more the public understands this, the better,” he said.