The States Assembly Podcast

Youth voices in Jersey politics #2: a Vote.je special takeover

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we speak with Will Millow, Deputy Greffier of the States, to unpack how Jersey’s elections work and what goes on behind the scenes of the States Assembly. We explore how elections are run, how politicians are supported, and how the everyday business of Scrutiny keeps Jersey’s democratic system working effectively.

We’re also joined by members of the Child Commissioner’s Youth Advisory Group, who put forward their own questions about voting in Jersey and how the electoral process affects young people. Plus, our Education Managerexplains how young people can register to vote at 16, why it matters, and how to take part in shaping Jersey’s future.

A must-listen for anyone interested in Jersey politics, youth voice, democracy, and how to vote in Jersey.

Get in touch with us if you have some feedback about the show, or if you want to suggest a topic for a future episode. Email statesgreffe@gov.je

If you liked what you heard, please give us a star rating, add your review and subscribe!

statesassembly.je

Introducing Jersey's new Bailiff

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Did you know that there are five positions within the States Assembly that are not held by an elected Member?

Perhaps the most active, and visible, of these non-elected Members is the Bailiff and that isn’t just because the post holder wears a bright red robe.

In this episode of the States Assembly Podcast, we take a closer look at the origins of the office and how it relates to the work of the States Assembly with Jersey's new Bailiff, Robert MacRae, who was sworn into the role in October 2025.

We also discover more about a rather Royal artefact the office is responsible for.

Host: Sarah Hopkins

Interviewee: Robert MacRae

Youth voices in Jersey politics: a Vote.je special takeover

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Let's explore the vibrant heart of Jersey's democracy.

This is the first in a limited series of episodes where Vote.je - Jersey's Official Election Guide - is taking over the States Assembly Podcast.

Get an introduction to Jersey elections, hear about the education initiatives which are already teaching our students what they need to know to get political, and find out what sorts of things Jersey's children and young people value the most when it comes to making political decisions.

Recorded in collaboration with the Youth Advisory Group from the Office of the Children's Commissioner for Jersey to mark World Children's Day 2025.

Host: Cathy Keir

Interviewees: Lisa Hart; Molly Gladwin

Special guests: Theo and Jack from the Youth Advisory Group from the Office of the Children's Commissioner for Jersey.

Music credit: QubeSounds - Hip Hop Rock Beats_Chime

People Power!

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0100

Democracy can be thought of as ‘power of the people’ – a way of governing which depends on the will of people – and our democratic rights are the freedoms we’re granted to express our opinions, participate in public matters and vote at election time.

This episode takes a closer look at some of the real-life stories which demonstrate how people in Jersey have exercised their rights and used their power to make a change.

From swinging into action to save a beloved local park, to creating a human chain across an iconic Island beauty spot, or pushing the power of a petition, these stories celebrate Islanders’ engagement with Jersey’s political system and prove how public action can lead to change and give everyone a voice to make a difference.

Host: Sarah Hopkins

Interviewees: Mike Stentiford MBE, Athena Elliot, Kat de la Mare, Neil Renouf and John Cronin, Emelita Robbins, Poppy Pendergast.

The Assembly Occupied

Fri, 09 May 2025 09:00:00 +0100

This episode lifts the lid on how the States Assembly functioned during the Second World War. When Jersey was occupied by German forces there was still a need for legislation to be made and passed and there were many challenges that needed to be tackled to ensure that Islanders had work, clothing and food during the Occupation.

How did this all happen? And who were the States Members during the Occupation years? We take a look a some of the stories from those times, involving hidden radios, retired millers, and why there's a footpath along the Five Mile Road in St. Ouen and why took such a long time to be built.

Host: Sarah Hopkins

Interviewee: Dominic Butler

Voice of Ralph Mollet: Yannick Fillieul

The People's Debate

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Every three weeks, Jersey’s States Members take their seats in the States Chamber to debate policy proposals and approve the laws that govern the Island.

And usually, the only way you would get to experience what that is like is to stand for election when the time comes and convince the electorate you’re the right person for the job.

But to celebrate Jersey’s fifth Democracy Week, the States Greffe gave Islanders the chance to take part in a real-life debate.

In this episode, we look back at Jersey’s first People’s Debate with some of those who were involved with it, to discover what they made of the experience and if it achieved what it set out to do.

Host: Sarah Hopkins
Interviewees: Jenny O’ Brien, Peter Langlois, Evan Smith and Jon Tarrant

Watch the People's Debate in full on YouTube.

Questions in Jersey Politics

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 07:00:00 +0100

Questions are one of the tools that Jersey's States Members have available to them to understand why and how the Government is doing what it's doing.

Want to get to grips with a Minister's priorities? Ask a question.
Want to know how much money is being spent on something? Ask a question.
Want to understand how long it will take to deliver a new initiative or service? Ask a question.

Questions come in different forms, and depending on who you are and where you're asking them - the answers can come in different forms too.

In this episode we have Deputy Greffier Will Millow and Assistant Greffier Yan Fillieul serving up the essentials of political questions. We cover the various types of questions that can be asked at a States Meeting and branch out into how questions are used by Scrutiny Panels, as well as other situations where the Island's politicians might ask - or be asked - a question.

Episode host: Emily Thomas
Interviewees: William Millow; Yannick Fillieul.

Who's who in Jersey politics

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0100

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 Millow help to unpack all the details about the people that work together to keep the wheels of Jersey's democracy turning. Listen to this episode and you will find out answers to the following questions:

What's the difference between a Deputy and a Constable?
Why does the Bailiff sit on a chair higher than everyone else's in the States Chamber?
What's the best job in Jersey that you've never heard of!?

Episode guests:
Lisa Hart - Greffier of the States
Will Millow - Deputy Greffier of the States

Episode host: Emily Thomas

Jersey Scrutiny 102

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0100

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 Millow
Episode host: Emily Thomas

Jersey Scrutiny 101

Mon, 20 May 2024 17:00:00 +0100

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 really is Scrutiny, though? How does it work, who are the scrutineers and what do they do to get the best outcomes for Islanders?

Host: Emily Thomas
Interviewees: Andy Harris; Will Millow

Jersey's Occupation and Liberation Day

Fri, 17 May 2024 09:00:00 +0100

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 Island's history and come together to celebrate their enduring freedom.

In this episode we discuss the past, present and future including:

How did the Occupation affect the States Assembly?
Did the politicians of the day continue to represent the people and make new laws?
What do States Members do to observe Liberation Day today?
How might Jersey's commemorations of Liberation Day change in the future?

Episode host: Emily Thomas
Interviewees: Dominic Butler; Will Millow

Petition Power!

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0100

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 think a hard copy petition is the best option for your cause, find out more about what you need to do here: Presenting a petition to the States (gov.je)

Interviewee: Will Millow
Episode host: Emily Thomas

Music: Pumpupthemind

Demystifying the complaints process

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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 Commissioner. She also talks about the importance of the Code of Conduct for Elected Members and the Seven Principles of Public Life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership).

Dr McCullough explains who can complain, how to make a complaint and what happens once a complaint is in motion.

Episode host: Emily Thomas
Special guest: Dr Melissa McCullough, Pan-Island Commissioner for Standards

Music: Pumpupthemind

Find out more about the Commissioner for Standards here.
Read about the complaints process here.

Contact the Commissioner:
Commissioner for Standards,
c/o States Greffe,
Morier House,
Halkett Place,
St. Helier,
Jersey
JE1 1DD

or by e-mail: Commissioner@pi-cfs.org

The languages of Jersey politics

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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 Jèrriais.

There are several times in States meetings where French is still traditionally used, for example during prayers and roll call. We talk about the history behind the evolution of the languages of Jersey politics, the practicalities of when Members choose to speak in French or Jèrriais, and we take a quick dip into the moments where the rules are broken and things veer into unparliamentary language!

Interviewee: Will Millow
Episode host: Emily Thomas

Music: Pumpupthemind

The story of the States Chamber

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 17:00:00 +0000

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 location in the States Chamber, where we talk about the experience of sitting in the Public Gallery; take a look at the view from the Bailiff's chair; and test the microphones and voting buttons as used by States Members during meetings.

Interviewee: Dominic Butler
Episode host: Emily Thomas

Book tickets for a Blue Badge Guided tour: Royal Court and States Chamber Tour Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Check the date of the next States Meeting and come to see the action in person from the States Chamber Public Gallery: States Assembly (gov.je)

Read more about the history of the States Chamber and the States Assembly: History and information about the States Assembly (gov.je)

Appointing Ministers (and more)

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000

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 votes on who gets which role.

During the four year term between elections, there can be 'casual' vacancies. These are often due to resignations, or may be as a result of a vote of no confidence. We discuss this and more with the Greffier and Deputy Greffier of the States.

Find out more about the process here: Procedural Explanations (gov.je)

Episode host: Emily Thomas
Interviewees: Lisa Hart & Will Millow

Music by Pumpupthemind

Votes of no confidence: the definitive guide

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 09:00:00 +0000

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 more in this episode. They give a politically impartial breakdown of several VONC scenarios and bust some myths about what can and cannot be done with a VONC.

Read more about VONCs here: Procedural Explanations (gov.je)

Episode host: Emily Thomas
Interviewees: Lisa Hart & Will Millow

Music by Pumpupthemind

Jersey's budget: the Government Plan explained

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

What happens to the money that you pay in taxes? And who decides how that money is spent?

Every year the States Assembly debates the 'Government Plan'. This is Jersey's budget. It's a key moment in the year where States Members - Jersey's elected representatives - can influence how public money is spent.

This episode looks at the process behind the plan: how does the Island's budget go from the initial draft through to the final version which is amended and approved by our 49 politicians? We discuss the key ways in which the States Assembly considers, scrutinises, and amends the Government Plan.

We get into a fair amount of detail in this episode, from unpicking amendments to amendments (and even amendments to amendments to amendments!), to explaining the 'trick' the States Assembly has up its sleeve in getting taxation legislation passed in time for the new financial year.

Episode host: Emily Thomas
Interviewee: Will Millow

Music: Pumpupthemind

Jersey Politics 101

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Calling all people who are:

Not sure what the States Assembly is?
New to Jersey?
A bit confused when you hear people talking about deputies, constables, propositions, scrutiny...?

This is the explainer you need!

This is Jersey Politics 101 - where we take on the challenge of demystifying Jersey's political system in less than 20 minutes. Find out:

What the States Assembly is
What States Members are, and how they are elected
What happens in States Meetings
How Jersey laws are made
The difference between the States Assembly and the Government of Jersey
What Scrutiny is

The States Assembly Podcast is brought to you by the States Greffe, bringing you information and insights on how Jersey's political system works and how to make it work for you.

Episode co-hosts: Molly Gladwin; Emily Thomas

Who decides States Members' pay?

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0100

This episode is an interview with Jennifer Long, who was appointed as independent States Members' Remuneration Reviewer in February 2023.

During the interview Jennifer explains that, as elected representatives in Jersey's States Assembly, States Members have a significant impact on the lives of Islanders. It's important that they are paid fairly for the work they do, while also being fair to taxpayers and constituents. Jennifer's role as independent reviewer is to ensure that happens.

We asked Jennifer about how her previous experience in parliamentary and regulatory settings makes her suited to reviewing Jersey's politicians' pay. The conversation delves into some of the details of the review, such as how you decide on a fair wage for a role that has no formal job description, and whether States Members themselves have a say over what they get paid.

Click here for more information on the States Members' Remuneration Review.

Episode host: Emily Thomas
Interviewee: Jennifer Long

Why does democracy matter?

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0100

In this first episode we discuss how a small island in the English Channel came to have its own parliament - the States Assembly, and take a tour of some of the milestone moments in Jersey's democratic history that lead us to the present day.

We also hear from a selection of current States Members about what got them into politics, how they go about representing Islanders in the States Assembly, and why democracy really matters.

This episode is being launched during Jersey's 4th annual Democracy Week, which is all about reminding people how and why it's important to engage with the Island's political system.

Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Episode host: Emily Thomas
Interviewees: Will Millow; Constable of Grouville, Mark Labey; Deputy Carina Alves; Deputy Max Andrews; Deputy Rob Ward