Business backs culling deputies by at least 10
Thursday 11th June 2009, 2:30PM BST.
BUSINESS leaders have backed calls for a slimmed down States of Guernsey.
This follows former Health minister Peter Roffey (pictured) suggesting a cull of up to 17 deputies from the Assembly.
Reducing the number from 45 to 35 would reduce costs and improve efficiencies, he said.
Speaking at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, he suggested the House could even be cut to just 28 members.
Chamber of Commerce director Barry Cash said he would follow any developments with interest.
‘I believe reducing the number of deputies to 35 needs to be considered. I don’t think we need a States as big as we have and the Chamber agrees it needs to be looked at.’
Confederation of Guernsey Industry chairman Peter Budwin has been calling for a slimmer States for years.
‘The island is overrepresented. The process would run more smoothly for everyone if the number was reduced. For a small community, 35 deputies would be plenty,’ he said. ‘We are running the risk of over-governing.’
Mr Roffey believes Guernsey could cope with as few as four deputies for each of the seven electoral districts – a cut of almost 40%.
- To read Guernsey Press stories in full click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
Campaigns
Voice For Victims
Voice for Victims is a campaign aimed at promoting the rights of those affected by child sexual abuse.
This is Guernsey
Guernsey Press
Living here in New Zealand as I do now,I often go on line to see how things are in Guernsey.It was good to see Peter Roffey is still in the picture and speaking sense regarding the over large number of bodies in the states,keep up the good work Peter.
Report abuse
Big Business deciding on Guernseys democracy… the locals will never have a say on how they are governed just as long as the government is controlled by the Tax Dodging big business.
Report abuse
Further to my other comment just look at what happened in Sark when the people dared to defy the English ruling class
Report abuse
As long as its a proper cull…
But seriously, a smaller number of deputies will equate to a greater number of co-opted, unaccountable “mates” getting onto boards and committees. Alternatively, the increased workload of a deputy may actually put some people off standing, particularly those with heavy business commitments, so we may end up with a house of retirees, wannabees and losers…oh, no change there, then.
Still, we’d save £300000 on salaries each year.
And it’s make government more “executive”, eh?
Report abuse
I do not have an objection with Peter Roffey suggesting a reduction in the number of deputies, in fact I think it is a good idea.
Werner.cohrs does have a point though – such decisions should be taken by the people of Guernsey through theor elected representatives and not because business lobbyists tell us to.
Report abuse
What werner.cohrs seems to forget is that business leaders don’t change the law, the ELECTED States Deputies do that. If the population don’t want leaders who allegedly pander to big business they should elect ones that in their opinion won’t. Trouble is last election, many of those who were vocally opposed to this kind of policy direction weren’t vaguely qualified to even be considered for office, let alone actually govern the island.
Not that I’m opposed to the idea of less deputies – I actually support it. For a start it would clear out some of the dross and give those capable deputies who ARE opposed to big business a louder voice.
Report abuse
now they’re starting to get it ,a reduction in deputies equals more efficiency and no deputies equals sheer bliss .what i dont get is why mr roffey a leading member in completely kna****ing up the social fabric of the island in the past is still sticking his oar in
Report abuse
You have to ask the question who wants to run Guernsey? Is it the elected members of the States who are accountable to the people who elected them or big business who are accountable to no one?
Report abuse
DJ I disagree,
You have to ask if the elected members of the States actually ARE accountable to the people.
I’m not saying that your bogeyman ‘big business’ should be in charge either but one undeniable thing about successful businesses is that they have to be efficient to survive.
Efficient is not a word that has ever sprung into my mind when talking about the States.
Report abuse
the states are not famous for being efficient mrs p, like some businessess are, but aren’t they so as they are run purely for profit?the island should be run to create a good society to live in, these are 2 different things i think. i agree that the deputies are elected but they are influenced (some more than others) by business groups so the lobby power of some of the giba/chamber of commerce/iod etc is beyomnd the normal mwmber of the public.this is something that annoys people.why are ideas delivered to these groups at their lunches?i think less deputies will just concentrate power in too few hands, dj is right,sort island wide voting out then look to alter the rest. this is just an opinion of course, i wouldn’t want the wrath of the suit wearers down on me, i still get dirty hands at work so what would i know.
Report abuse
Nikkers.
How will island wide voting suddenly make our Deputies more accountable for their actions?
Don’t worry too much about getting your hands dirty darling, our gardener uses something called ‘soap’ as an efficient hand cleanser.
Report abuse
thanks for the soap advice mrs p, i doff my cap to your wisdom.
it won’t make deputies more accountable, they never will be as decisions are made and 4 years or so later they change for others, also no one person makes the decisions so no individual will be held accountable.but before the system of government is changed the island needs to be able to have a say in all the people representing us, executive government could be bad enough, but if i can only choose a few people in the parish i live in and there are fewer in charge than now i am even more divorced from having a say in who represents me.that was what i was trying to say.any ideas on the best soap?please ask your gardener.
Report abuse
Morning nikkers, as it happens I’ve just come back from giving the gardener his morning cup of tea in his shed. My what soft hands he has! I think he’s uses Swarfega Heavy Duty but then moisturises afterwards, anyway.
Glad we agree on the accountability issue.
If island wide voting came in have you considered how many pamphlets are going to land on your door mat? If a similar number of people put them selves up for election as in previous years you’ll be looking at 80+ manifestos. How many are you going to be able to give your full attention. How are our prospective States members going to visit every household in Guernsey?
Let me know if the Swarfega gets the desired results darling. It is after all ‘a tough product for a tough job’
Report abuse
For those of you that believe evil business is out to usurp democratic process and the rights of the Guernsey electorate, I can assure you that it is not. It may come as a surprise but we breathe the same air, walk the same streets and want the same for our children and our island as you.
As for the “Business backs culling deputies by at least 10” In my experience those of us that are members of local business groups are rarely polled on their thoughts before the executive gets wheeled out to the local paper.
Report abuse
Neil, I think your last paragraph may explain why we “believe evil business is out to usurp democratic process and the rights of the Guernsey electorate”.
Report abuse
Getting the electoral process right is much more important than believing that if we slim down the government, that in some way it will give us more legitimacy to govern. That can only come from the ballot box and our people are deserting it in droves.
In Guernsey, candidates are elected in the main on the basis that they and their political views are known to the electorate. In the case of a sitting member seeking re election, past performance also has a huge bearing. Voters are to some extent also influenced by what is published in the candidate’s manifesto. The key distinction in Guernsey however is that the voter is disbarred from voting for the candidate anywhere across the island who’s political views accord closely with their own. He can only vote from among those candidates standing in his or her parish or electoral district, it matters not what views they hold, as they are the only candidates on offer. Because of this unsatisfactory situation it would be hard to argue that it does not represent a significant denial of democracy.
It should also be remembered that a candidate is not required to live in the parish in which he chooses to stand and can change parishes as and when they see fit. We have all witnessed Deputies shifting parishes in the past, to one where they believe they have a better chance of getting in, this is an option that is denied the voter.
More importantly once elected the politician, should they choose, can quite happily ignore the concerns of the rest of the island electorate. They need only take heed of the wishes of the voters in their own particular parish, secure in the knowledge that these are the only voters who will have the power to remove them at the next election.
This situation at present leaves all the members of the House free to inflict unwelcome and unsympathetic development in any parish of their choosing, fully aware that the views of the residents of that parish will be of little consequence on polling day. Their vote cannot damage the chances of the people who made that decision outside the parish or electoral district in question and can therefore be ignored. Island wide voting would change that, it would make all deputies accountable to all the people across the island and the days of just having to please a couple of thousand voters in your own neck of the woods would be over.
Report abuse
David Cranch
The British Chamber of Commerce http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/general/about-the-british-chambers-of-commerce.htm states the following:
“…………High on the BCC’s agenda is helping British business thrive so the BCC works with Government to shape policy affecting businesses, and focuses on key areas of activity including International Trade, Skills Development and Business Services.
…………The Chamber Network can support your business throughout its lifecycle from start-up, development, growth and beyond.
…………No matter where you are based, the type of business you are or whether your objectives are on a local, national or international scale, your local Chamber can help meet your goals.”
This, in my mind as far as ANY local organisation should go. There to support its members, shape relevant business policy in terms of licences, land use, promote training in the work environment, act as a networking hub for its members and encourage and assist new business into the island etc.
I’m of the opinion that, on heady issues of constitution and machinery of government business group representatives should stay well clear.
Report abuse