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Now the new year has begun, it is time to review what should be done to attract voter interest in the forthcoming election. The previous election, voter interest dropped significantly to 44%.
There are many reasons for the drop in voter interest. One reason is that voters only vote based on individuals manifestos which cannot be implemented after the voting and thus are of no importance in making voting decisions.
Other information is presented for each candidate while helpful does not aid voters in making their decision whom to give their vote.
Pictured: "The island needs a Chief Minister who can operate what in business is called a conglomerate with help from not necessarily drawn from the best the island deserves. Where is the island going to find such a person at the current salary of £50,000?"
The salaries paid are not going to attract the best candidates which everyone wants. It is obvious that one person cannot lead as the government which is run by committee system.
There is little contact with voters by the government after the voting until it is again time to vote.
The government is approaching a one thousand million pound budget. The island needs a Chief Minister who can operate what in business is called a 'conglomerate with help from not necessarily drawn from the best the island deserves. Where is the island going to find such a person at the current salary of £50,000?
Since the Chief Minister really doesn't have individual control, they have to bargain to do anything and government by committee is not good.
A new system of government needs to be adopted and put to the voters before the next election is held... It is time to get this right and not to keep doing the same thing and spending more and more money.
Here's one suggestion:
A Chief Minister should be chosen on a separate ballot on the same day as the general election. If no candidate had a majority (50.01%), the two candidates with the most votes would be subject to a run-off one week after the election for all States Members.
The Chief Minister should:
Run the government as Chief Minister, prepare the necessary legislation and then put to the legislation to a vote of the other elected officials (legislature). If the legislature does not agree with the legislation then the matter is passed back to the Chief Minister to either redraft the legislation until it passes or drop the legislation.
The Chief Minister should be empowered to override the Legislature by asking the voters by a referendum to pass legislation not passed by the legislature.
Keep the electorate informed on either a monthly or quarterly basis by publishing the details on what the government is doing.
Be the paid a minimum of 250,000+ to reflect the commercial rate for running a large organisation which in turn should attract the best candidates.
Chair a meeting with the legislature at least once a month to discuss government business with minutes being taken and published.
Would run the government as efficiently as possible and to invest for the future of Jersey.
Would refer matters to the voters by a referendum for expenditure larger than £50,000,000 or affecting the political structure.
Produce audited annual accounts and budgets which would be published on the government site.
The Deputies and Constables salary will be increased to £60,000+.
Those not selected by the Chief Minister for ministries or special jobs would serve on Scrutiny committees.
The above and any other proposals should be put to a public electronic vote before the next election.
Doing nothing is what has occurred in the past so let us do something now before it is too late.
Bill White
Le Mont de Rozel, St. Martin
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