AS ELECTORS weigh up their choices of candidate in the run up to the election on the 23rd, a couple of themes are dominant - not the issues themselves but two topics that can be guaranteed to crop up in conversation about local politics.
One is the experience of those seeking election, particularly the first-timers. The second is island-wide voting.
Over the years, changes have been made to make membership of the States of Guernsey more accessible to ‘ordinary’ people and that has been very successful, if the current range of candidates is any indication.
In turn, however, that has got a number of islanders considering whether that is a good thing because those standing do not necessarily fit their view of the ‘right’ hopeful.
What is true is that some years ago, candidates were generally established individuals from a business background and had frequently ‘gone through the parish’. The expression meant they had served as procureur of the poor, junior constable, senior constable and douzenier.
That was regarded as serving an apprenticeship for the States and it was certainly a good grounding for public office and while someone entering the House via that route might be a newcomer, they certainly had some experience to draw upon.
What is also true to say is that Guernsey still retains a big appetite for some form of island-wide voting and ‘the States’ has never been forgiven for scrapping the public election of conseillers. The reason for dropping the process back in 2000 is widely regarded as the establishment deciding that the wrong people were being selected which, if true, was hardly a good day for democracy.
Jersey, by contrast, has retained senators elected by island-wide franchise. Twelve are appointed for a six-year term, and six of them are renewed every three years. In addition, only one ministerial position in that island is held by a deputy. The remainder are senators, which says something about the voting public and the attributes needed to become a senator.
It is perhaps a bit glib on that evidence to suggest that islanders should elect the chief minister and his Policy Council - but it would be in tune with what people want.
Giving voters election they really want
AS ELECTORS weigh up their choices of candidate in the run up to the election on the 23rd, a couple of themes are dominant - not the issues themselves but two topics that can be guaranteed to crop up in conversation about local politics.
One is the experience of those seeking election, particularly the first-timers. The second is island-wide voting.
Over the years, changes have been made to make membership of the States of Guernsey more accessible to ‘ordinary’ people and that has been very successful, if the current range of candidates is any indication.
In turn, however, that has got a number of islanders considering whether that is a good thing because those standing do not necessarily fit their view of the ‘right’ hopeful.
What is true is that some years ago, candidates were generally established individuals from a business background and had frequently ‘gone through the parish’. The expression meant they had served as procureur of the poor, junior constable, senior constable and douzenier.
That was regarded as serving an apprenticeship for the States and it was certainly a good grounding for public office and while someone entering the House via that route might be a newcomer, they certainly had some experience to draw upon.
What is also true to say is that Guernsey still retains a big appetite for some form of island-wide voting and ‘the States’ has never been forgiven for scrapping the public election of conseillers. The reason for dropping the process back in 2000 is widely regarded as the establishment deciding that the wrong people were being selected which, if true, was hardly a good day for democracy.
Jersey, by contrast, has retained senators elected by island-wide franchise. Twelve are appointed for a six-year term, and six of them are renewed every three years. In addition, only one ministerial position in that island is held by a deputy. The remainder are senators, which says something about the voting public and the attributes needed to become a senator.
It is perhaps a bit glib on that evidence to suggest that islanders should elect the chief minister and his Policy Council - but it would be in tune with what people want.
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