Calls for politicians to prioritise future generations

A Jersey politician has put forward plans to introduce a statutory duty for the Council of Ministers to consider the impact of policies on future generations.

Deputy Karen Wilson's proposition also calls on the Chief Minister to implement a law "setting out the government's duty to future generations".

Wilson said some policy decisions were "stacking up financial, societal and economic problems for future generations."

The proposal will be debated by the States Assembly in late March at the earliest.

In her proposal Wilson wrote: "The future is coming faster than we think and the decisions made now will determine the conditions under which future generations in this Island will live."

She said current political decision making and legislative activity was primarily focused on addressing short to medium term needs but needed to also be forward looking.

"It is our responsibility to ensure that decisions we take today take account of the impacts of scientific and technological development on our children and our children's children and to plan in ways that enable future generations to enjoy, protect and enhance Island life," she said.

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