GUERNSEY’S current consensus style of government is not fit for purpose, according to the man who last reviewed it.

Advocate Peter Harwood (pictured) headed a panel that in 2001 recommended moving to executive government, something that now operates in Jersey and the Isle of Man and gives more powers to ministers at the head of departments.

The States baulked at going that far and instead introduced reforms from 2004 that cut the number of members and committees and changed the electoral districts – moves Advocate Harwood described as positive at yesterday’s Chamber of Commerce lunch.

But he believed it was now time for another rethink.

‘We do need to re-examine the argument for executive government, both in light of the present system and also in light of the experience in the Isle of Man and Jersey?’ he asked.

The inherent conflict between the role of the chief minister and that of the Treasury minister also needed to be addressed, he said.

Advocate Harwood suggested that the States could vote for both a chief minister and a Treasury minister at the same time – in effect, they would stand as a package.