Bid to bring back Senators fails

Wednesday 18 January 2023

Bid to bring back Senators fails

Wednesday 18 January 2023

A former Senator's plan to bring back the island-wide mandate in time for the next general election has been narrowly rejected.

After more than five hours of debate, States Members voted by 24-23 against Deputy Ian Gorst's proposition to bring back Senators.

Deputy Gorst said that having the Island-wide mandate was the most democratic system, urging his fellow Members to think carefully before rejecting it.

But others said the new electoral system, first used last year, had resulted in the most diverse Assembly ever seen and should be given time to bed in.

Although the margin of defeat was one vote, regulations about propositions relating to the make-up of the Assembly require an absolute majority of the 49 States Members, meaning Deputy Gorst needed 25 votes to succeed.

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Posted by IanSmith97 on Jan 18th, 2023

Island wide is not the most democratic. The island should have only one class of members in the parliament. One member per equal constituency districts. St Helier is under represented. Constable of St Helier is voted in by 30,000 voters whilst St Mary votes in a Constable by 1,500. Ridiculously unfair. We have more pressing problems to deal with than reintroducing the vanity Senator title.

Posted by john garner on Jan 18th, 2023

Gorst will keep pushing for new votes on this until he gets his way

Posted by Martin on Jan 18th, 2023

R E A L L Y?

Our Gov voted to get rid of Senator,s which took SOME debate & cost & now he wants to reintroduce?

There is much to do at this time of MULTIPLE crises without THIS sort of nonsense!

Why not reinvent the wheel?

Posted by Paul Acton-Phillips on Jan 18th, 2023

It is not a true democracy when one cannot vote for the majority of people who make the decisions that we have to live with.

Posted by Peter Townend on Jan 18th, 2023

What is needed is an island wide vote on all potential States members, not just Senators and Deputies. Problem of too many could be resolved by splitting them into two groups standing for 4 years in alternate elections. This would give an element of continuity and reduce the number at the election meetings. Also there should be deposits required and a full CV of what they have done before standing for the States so we see their capabilities.

Posted by IanSmith97 on Jan 19th, 2023

Peter, who would someone go to with a problem? One member, who is good, could be snowed under whilst the useless don’t get constituents bothering them. There must be a geographical link between members and constituents. A St Helier constituent should contact a St Helier member, not a St Brelade member. That wouldn’t, indeed couldn’t work, with all island members.

Posted by Jon Jon on Jan 19th, 2023

We don't need so many states members as we currently have,simply reduce the number by half ,all on an Island Wide Mandate.Do agree with Peter maybe they should produce a CV as so many take the role as a full time job.
Have to say IanSmith97,howmany people actually consult a Politician and if I did it would be one with brain cells.Don't care if he lived in one of the other parishes I didn't live in.

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