Electoral reform – ringing the changes

Monday 22 May 2017

You could find yourself being asked for your views on electoral reform this week.

Scrutiny has commissioned IPSOS MORI to conduct a telephone survey of 1,000 islanders ahead of a major States debate in early June.

Under the proposed reforms, the number of States members will be cut, senators will be scrapped, and six new super constituencies will be created – re-defining the role of deputy.

Chairman of the Panel, Deputy John Le Fondré commented: “In addition to a number of public meetings which the Panel is holding, we are keen to hear the views of as many Islanders as possible, in order to understand the public awareness of and their attitude towards the proposed changes.

"The IPSOS MORI poll will provide the panel with an important independent report on Islanders’ awareness of the changes. We hope that through the public call for evidence, Islanders will feel that they have been able to have their say on these important changes, before they are voted on by the States Assembly on 6th June. All comments received will help inform the panel’s final report, which will be published prior to 6th June.”

For those not chosen by the telephone poll, but still want to be in the know about proposed changes, three public meetings are being held before the debate:

• 22nd May - Grouville Parish Hall, 7pm (for Grouville / St Clement)

• 23rd May - St John Parish Hall, 7pm, (for St Lawrence / St John / St Mary / Trinity)

• 24th May - St Ouen Parish Hall, 7pm, (for St Brelade / St Ouen / St Mary)