Darius J. Pearce
Darius James Pearce was born on 23 February 1972, in the City of London. He was educated at De La Salle College, Jersey. In 1997 he graduated from the University of Plymouth, where he read politics and criminal justice. In 2000 he qualified as an accountant and currently has directorships in companies in Jersey involved in online marketing, fulfillment and accountancy.
Political life
Darius Pearce first became politically ACTIVE in November 2005, as a candidate for the Centre Party (Jersey), for whom he unsuccessfully stood for Deputy in St Helier 3 & 4 districts, polling 459 votes (25%). Subsequently, he was one of the founding members of ProgresS Jersey, a charity and pressure group whose aims include to encourage electoral turnout and voter knowledge - a group he served as Treasurer, until his resignation in May 2007. He is also currently editor of Parish Matters, a quarterly newsletter produced by Progress Jersey for residents of the Parish of St Helier.
Elected to the Municipality of the Parish of St Helier, Jersey, in December 2005, he currently serves as a Roads Inspector for the Roads Committee and has been a member of the Constable's Accounts Committee. He is also active in age of consent debates on [...] offences, and The Effects of their interpretations in local law, European law and international law.
Political philosophy
Mr. Pearce describes himself as a Liberal-conservative
As a believer in 'small government' his election campaign called for control of government expenditure and 'de-legislation' to ensure minimal expenditure and taxation but committed to instituting 'fair' taxation through the introduction of variable rates of taxation for high earners in Jersey.
He is committed to liberal values and a supporter of advances in human rights and the 'enabling state', believing that support is best received from the family.
Political Activity
He has made submissions to various Scrutiny Panels. This includes a submission regarding Jersey's tax changes, including presenting the idea of a Business Premises Tax, which was adapted into the "Blampied proposal".
As a founder member, he has worked for Progress Jersey on a number of key issues including submissions made and accepted regarding the introduction of Abuse of Trust legislation, the review of changes to Jersey Taxation, Social Housing, Civil Partnerships, Legitimacy Laws and Overseas Aid.
He was responsible for the withdrawal of the initial proposition to lower the age of homosexual consent, this was later passed once the Abuse of Trust provisions were added to the amendment.
In 2007, he was involved with the successful campaign against the proposed Crime (Disorderly Conduct and Harassment) law, which was withdrawn amidst fears that it extended police powers too far.
Party Politics in Jersey
Mr. Pearce is one of the most ardent supporters of the introduction of political parties to Jersey.
He was a member of the Centre Party (Jersey) and ran the successful election campaigns in the 2005 elections for candidates Paul Le Claire and Kevin Lewis.
In May 2007 he revealed he was working towards rebranding as the Jersey Conservative Party, and stated his desire to contest the 2008 Jersey elections as a representative of that party. On 17th July the Centre Party announced that it would fight the next elections as the Jersey Conservative Party.
He is also a member the UK Conservative Party and has expressed a desire to foment stronger links with the United Kingdom Conservative Party A spokesman of the UK Conservative Party stated that Mr. Pearce, whilst not yet an official representative of the Conservative Party, had approached the party expressing an interest in re-establishing the Channel Islands branch of Conservatives Abroad and that he had been invited to talks in London.
Party Name on Ballot Paper
Following the Jersey Evening Post coverage of the idea of the Jersey Conservative Party, Mr. Pearce submitted a complaint to the Press Complaints Commission citing eighteen significant inaccuracies or misleading statements. The matter was resolved through mediation following the expansion of the debate on the importance of political parties in the revised Jersey constitution and an assurance from the JEP's editor of fair treatment in future.
The matter added to the pressure that eventually led to the introduction of party names on Jersey ballot papers.
Press resistance to Party Politics
In July 2007, immediately following the announcement that the Jersey Conservative Party would be established in opposition to the incumbent government, the Jersey Evening Post reported that he made an accusation that photos picturing Senator Frank Walker with Gordon Brown and Ian Paisley were faked to insert Senator Walker in a letter to Gordon Brown. However, Progress Jersey reports described the photo as simply suspicious, they further indicated that no letter had been sent.
Mr. Pearce subsequently apologised, explaining that it was a private joke which had been blown out of proportion by the Jersey Evening Post but expressed concerns with regard to a bias in the paper in favour of former managing director and current Chief Minister Frank Walker based on e-mail correspondence with the Chief Minister and the editor of the JEP, Chris Bright.
Candidacy for Constable
In November 2007, Mr. Pearce twice declared and withdrew his candidacy for the forthcoming election of the Constable of St. Helier, before being unexpectedly nominated at the last moment. However, the candidacy ended ignominiously, when it was discovered that the seconders' signatures had been obtained in an improper manner, and the Royal Court declared the Nomination invalid.
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