Here we go again...

Monday 12 December 2016

It seems like there's been more proposals to change the number of politicians in Jersey than anything else in the last few years - including a referendum in 2013 which the States decided not to follow.

But now Deputy Andrew Lewis is bringing the matter back to the States for another vote. He wants to keep the 12 Constables, and then to split the Island into six 'super-constituencies,' bringing the total number of politicians elected to 44, five fewer than there are currently. They would all be called 'Senator.'

He says the potential savings of cutting the number of politicians from 49 to 44 would be up to £232,999.80 

“Islanders were shocked when the previous States Assembly voted against introducing the reforms that had been voted for in the 2013 referendum,” said Deputy Andrew Lewis.

“Since then, we have voted in a new Assembly who may have a different view to that expressed by the last assembly”. 

“It’s important that we acknowledge the public’s interest in reducing the number of States members, however this can only be achieved  by making the system fairer at the same time. The creation of six constituencies makes sure that everyone’s vote retains similar representative power.

“My proposition differs from results of the referendum, Option B, in only one regard and that is the addition of two extra States members for the St Helier constituencies. This is important because without these extra posts, St Helier would remain under-represented and wouldn’t meet the terms of the Venice Commission.

“Islanders are disappointed that the States have still not adopted any meaningful electoral reform, despite over 56 propositions being lodged on this issue since 2001.  Failure to acknowledge the outcome of the referendum may well have contributed to voter apathy and be one of the reasons that turnout at the polls continued to decline in subsequent elections and bi-elections."

Deputy Lewis want his plans in place for the next 'General Election' which is in May 2018. If his colleagues agree, the 'super-constituencies' would be as follows:

Constituencies	Number of Senators to be returned
District 1: St. Helier North Vingtaine du Mont Cochon, Vingtaine du Mont à l’Abbé, Vingtaine du Haut du Mont au Prêtre, and Vingtaine du Rouge Bouillon, in the Parish of St. Helier.	6
District 2: St. Helier South Cantons de Bas et de Haut de la Vingtaine de la Ville, and Vingtaine de Bas du Mont au Prêtre, in the Parish of St. Helier.	6
District 3: East District Parish of Grouville, Parish of St. Clement, and Parish of St. Martin.	5
District 4: North District Parish of St. Saviour, and Parish of Trinity.	5
District 5: West District Parish of St. John, Parish of St. Lawrence, Parish of St. Mary, and Parish of St. Ouen.	5
District 6: South District Parish of St. Brelade, and Parish of St. Peter.	5