Political career
Alves stood for election to St Helier No. 2 in 2018 with Reform Jersey, [8] winning with 605 votes. [4] She was the first person of Madeiran descent to be elected to the States Assembly in Jersey. [9]
In November 2018, Alves brought a proposition to allow Asbestos victims in Jersey to be entitled to compensation, following a petition launched after the death of islander Brian Coutanche, who had been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Alves' proposition won unanimous support and compensation was introduced in October 2019. [10]
In 2021, commenting on the principle of assisted dying, Alves said she would "never want anyone to restrict my choices on something that impacts me and my body." [11]
Alves contributed an article to The Parliamentarian in June 2021 on the subject of electoral reform in Jersey. [12]
In November 2021, a report from the Chairman of the Complaints Panel, Geoffrey Crill, stated that the Government was not taking official complaints seriously. Deputy Alves, in her then role as Chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, echoed Crill's comments, noting that it had "disappointing" to see several Departments "disrespect" the complaints process. [13]
Alves successfully stood for re-election in 2022, [14] this time standing in the newly created constituency of St Helier Central. [15] Alves secured 961 votes, with fellow Reform Jersey members, Rob Ward (937), Catherine Curtis (847), Lyndsay Feltham (836) and Geoff Southern (734) sweeping the other four seats. [16] They joined Sam Mézec, Raluca Kovacs, Beatriz Porée, Tom Coles and Montford Tadier who were also successful at the 2022 election and increased Reform Jersey's seat tally to 10.
In December 2022, she brought amendments to that year's Government Plan to extend the £20 bus card scheme to all islanders in full-time education [17] and to provide free GP care for all under 18s. [18]
A proposition brought in 2025 to allow non-British citizens with permanent entitled status to stand for election in the next General Election was unsuccessful, [19] securing 18 votes in favour and 24 votes against. However, an amendment to reduce the time period to achieve permanent entitled status in the island from 30 years to 25 years was adopted by the Assembly. [20]
Additionally, Alves, in her role as Assistant Chief Minister with responsibility for Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, is the current Chair of the Jersey International Cultural Centre and gave an update on its future direction in January 2025.
Alves has also called for paid menstrual leave to be introduced for people with endometriosis, pointing to new legislation introduced in Portugal where endometriosis and adenomyosis sufferers can receive up to three paid days of leave per month. [21]
In November 2025, the Government of Jersey relaxed rules for businesses applying to employ registered and licensed employees. As Assistant Chief Minister, Alves said she was "pleased to be able to expand licensed roles to include educational support staff and nursery workers." [22] [23] The changes were welcomed by the Chamber of Commerce with president Lee Madden commenting that the new rules 'offer a more realistic framework for managing the Island's workforce needs'. [24]
