ONE of the unintended consequences of the letter signed by 27 deputies calling for the retention of the committee system of government is that it has re-ignited the debate over whether Guernsey should adopt a cabinet or executive system or not.

The chief minister’s response a couple of days later also makes clear what the official position is: improving the current machinery is firmly back on the agenda.

He does not express it quite like that, of course, saying it would be foolish to jump to conclusions before the Assembly is in a position to have an informed debate.

But he then goes on to list the developments that will help to shape that debate, one that will be instigated under the auspices of the Policy Council. They include, as this newspaper has highlighted, the forthcoming review of corporate governance, the outcome of implementing recommendations by Tribal Helm and how the States copes with capital prioritisation.

Tellingly, he also says that ‘it is entirely possible’ that the expected inquiry into the airport firefighters’ industrial action ‘could also shed light on how the States functions under pressure’.

No wonder he is urging people not to rush off and find solutions.

By waiting, events already in train will deliver all the evidence the Policy Council needs to demonstrate that further reforms are needed.

What they might be is clearly a matter of debate – as is the suggestion made yesterday that the size of the Assembly should be reduced to fewer than 30 members.

What will perplex islanders is why this issue generates such heat. No one would claim that the current set-up is perfect and everyone would surely sign up to the desire to put in place the optimal system for the benefit of Guernsey.

The suspicion, however, is that reluctance to change is less about what is best for the island and more about individual deputies’ power and influence – and trying to preserve it.

The reforms of 1948 were radical and matched changing circumstances.

Those of 2004 were not and certainly do not meet the requirements of today.