Jersey’s youngest MP faces abuse and political isolation as he takes seat in States Assembly
The A-level student’s victory highlights local concerns over cost of living and job diversity, while his reception of a congratulatory message from Donald Trump underscores the contrast between Jersey’s collaborative politics and partisan systems.
Gabriel Raimondo has been elected to Jersey’s States Assembly as an independent candidate for the parish of St Brelade, becoming one of the youngest politicians in the world at 18 years and 10 days old. Raimondo, who paused his A-level studies in biology, chemistry, and maths to campaign, secured his seat ahead of a second Reform Jersey candidate, marking a significant shift in the local political landscape. His election comes amid broader disappointing results for the Reform Jersey party across the island.
Raimondo cited the worsening cost of living and a lack of diverse job opportunities as primary motivations for his candidacy. He noted that supermarkets in Jersey are significantly more expensive than in the UK, with wages failing to keep pace, and expressed concern that young people are leaving the island for university and employment in the UK. He advocated for the promotion of sectors such as technology, biotechnology, and creative arts to retain local talent.
The campaign was marked by significant hostility, with Raimondo reporting death threats, vandalism of campaign posters, and being spat at while door-knocking. These incidents were flagged to the police, and the Jersey Electoral Authority issued warnings to residents regarding the credibility of online posts. Despite the abuse, Raimondo persisted, describing his election as a signal that the community desires a different approach to governance.
Raimondo received a congratulatory message from US President Donald Trump, who described young people in politics as having "great imagination" and wished him luck. However, Raimondo expressed disapproval of the divisive nature of the US two-party system, contrasting it with Jersey’s collaborative, non-partisan environment. He stated he was not currently a fan of Trump, emphasising the need for cooperation among politicians in Jersey rather than the partisan division he observed in the United States.
An 18-year-old with no family political background—his mother is a beautician and his father a mechanic—Raimondo stated he never intended to become a politician. He plans to complete his A-level examinations in the winter while serving a four-year term in the parliament. Raimondo affirmed his commitment to remaining in Jersey to serve his community, noting that he could see himself seeking re-election and potentially attending university at a later date.