States reform debate back on – options going to Members tomorrow

Thursday 14 January 2016

Plans to shake up the States Chamber and reform the number and type of politicians have been drawn up for a debate later this year.

Four options have been put before a sub-committee of States Members and will be discussed at a meeting tomorrow.

The four options have not yet been revealed, but one of them is understood to be sticking with the current line-up of eight Senators that everyone can vote four, 12 parish Constables, and 29 Deputies in parish or sub-parish constituencies.

The options were put together after meetings to try to gauge what a majority of States Members would be prepared to vote for – over the last 15 years, there have been dozens of debates to try to reform the Chamber, but no significant changes have been made, because politicians can’t agree on the way forward.

The next step for the reforms will be to see whether any of the four options can get support from a majority of States Members.

The States composition sub-committee of the Privileges and Procedures Committee due to look at the proposals tomorrow is: Senator Philip Ozouf, St Clement Constable Len Norman, St Lawrence Constable Deidre Mezbourian and Deputy Sam Mezec.