The Jersey Democratic Alliance was a political party in Jersey. JDA candidates contested general elections in 2005 and 2008 but announced in August 2011 that it would not be fielding candidates in the October 2011 elections. Party ideology and policies The JDA was a centre-left political party. Its stated aims and objectives in 2011 were: "Government in Jersey should be open, honest and transparent." "The public interest will be paramount at all times." "Government in Jersey will be open, honest and transparent." "Trade unions will be recognised as an important part of Jersey society." "The role of States members is to do the greatest good for the greatest number." "The JDA believes that Jersey is a special place with unique laws and customs, countryside, traditions, language and privileges and that these must be preserved and maintained when it is clear that their retention is appropriate." "To ensure that policies put forward promote the values enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights." "We have now added to those our number one aim which is to reform the States along the principles of Clothier." In December 2006 the JDA presented an extensive and detailed proposal for electoral reform, to tackle Jersey's lack of political engagement among the general public. In February 2007 the JDA released their environmental policy, with a general moderate green outlook, and addressing Jersey's outdated approaches to waste disposal and building insulation in particular On 12 July 2007 the JDA teamed up with the Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the Jersey Hospitality Association to address concerns over the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) planned for April 2008, they also issued a statement on the planned 'Zero-Ten' corporate tax rates. History The JDA was formed in the spring of 2005 in response to constitutional reforms due to be introduced in December 2005, when the States of Jersey Law 2005 implemented recommendations of the Clothier review by creating a system of ministerial government—with Council of Ministers headed by a Chief Minister in place of a committee-based system of administration. The party was launched in April 2005 at a mass rally of 1,000 people held at Fort Regent, with the intention of fielding candidates in the 2005 elections of senators and deputies to the States of Jersey. The JDA's founder was Senator Ted Vibert, a returned expatriate and veteran activist in the Australian Labor Party who had been elected