Island-wide voting rejection dismay
Saturday 26th February 2011, 2:29PM GMT.
ISLANDERS were yesterday disgusted that the States had thrown out all proposals for island-wide voting, according to the deputy behind the original report.
Deputy Mary Lowe (pictured) said that after the 7am news, the first person dismayed by the result had phoned her within 15 minutes.
And when she went shopping later that morning she was stopped by many others.
‘If today is anything to go by, there are a lot of people who are not happy with the vote.
‘They were saying they were disgusted with the decision and asking why politicians wondered why they didn’t vote,’ she said.
- Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. See below for subscription details.
- To read Guernsey Press stories in full click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
Island Life
All about Guernsey
Ambassador of the Year 2011
History & Heritage
Visitor Information
Guernsey's government
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
Useful Links
As if the rejection of island-wide voting isn’t enough, what has happened to the open public discussions on this site regarding the proposed expansion of the airport now that the States have approved such a monstrosity? Suddenly not a single word regarding this important matter renmains on the website!
Report abuse
I was very disappointed that we did not have at least some out the states members elected by us the island
I have looked at who voted for what ,and hope they come up with a solution for this before the next election
If there is not lots will have lost my vote
Report abuse
Well people can show their disapproval of the present States when the election comes again.
They are there for their won ends is pretty obvious. if they had nothing to fear, then they would allow Island wide biting.
I thought that was a democratic way of life, what the States want is their own little cliques of segregation, each parish vying with the others, hardly a healthy way of work-
But then again who really controls the Island?
Report abuse
So no Island wide elections of any type, why did the public bother giving their comments, when those voting do not take heed.
Next up for consultation, is the population, will the States also disregard what the public want!!
Next time we vote, I do wonder how many will ignore those who did not vote for Island Wide voting and vote those in who promise to fight for it!
Report abuse
kat
When you say ‘lots will have lost my vote’do you mean just the five or six you are allowed to vote for?
Report abuse
For Expat80, a little digging by date unearths what I think you mention.
http://www.thisisguernsey.com/2011/02/17/airport-work-delay-would-cost-millions/
Report abuse
Ray is right. How are we supposed to vote against the people we don’t want if they are standing in another district?
Report abuse
Many thanks @ Guern abroad.
Report abuse
Just dont go and vote at all they will have to change it ,bet theres not a plan for that .,
Report abuse
IWV means more work for the voter as far as I can see.
I’m not knocking that, but those who always vote, take the time to read manifestos and consider all the options are not in the majority.
If a system-change resulted in fewer numbers turning out to vote, that wouldn’t be progress. Nor would a system which meant that the lazy voter merely ticked every name he knew, rather than taking the time to read up on the ‘new blood’.
Report abuse
Ray, 2X4B 523P,
There are kats in every district. So long as they turn out and vote according to their conscience from those deputies they are able to vote for, their views will be represented island-wide.
Report abuse
Chrisj
That’s a rather sweeping statement
What if they only fancy one or two in their own district?
Report abuse
If five kats each fancy only one or two in their own district under the current system, that’s no different than if they each fancy only five or ten candidates under IWV.
Report abuse
ChrisJ
Agreed when the final count up of all the votes is made after polling ends, BUT unlucky for kat as an individual that she can only vote for one or two,and not perhaps five or ten (or even 35-40) under IWV
Report abuse
Why do some people think that IWV would allow them to vote against deputies they don’t want? In fact under IWV the deputies some people want out would probably get in easier than under the current system.
Personally I see little wrong with the current voting system which is far more democratic than what it replaced (when some parishes had no votes at all as deputies were returned unopposed whilst others had 10 deputies to vote for).
The problem with the vote on IWV is that SACC put forward the wrong options both for the recent vote and in their consultation document. IWV was never going to succeed with the lack of sensible ideas coming from SACC.
Report abuse
Ray, I don’t see what difference that makes, or why kat should feel short-changed. True, kat may only feel she can identify one or two people in her district represent her, and might therefore only cast one or two votes. But that apparent numerical disadvantage of the current voting system is counterbalanced by the fact that each vote she casts is 7 times as powerful as it would be under IWV, because voters who hold opposing views to hers are also restricted to voting within their district.
There are kats in every district. Her view is represented in every district. She may individually only have an effect in her district, but nevertheless the views she wishes to be represented in the States will be represented by Deputies island-wide, in proportion to the island-wide strength of conviction in those views. This is true of a district system just as much as with an island-wide system.
I don’t see why you think it would give kat some kind of advantage to be able to vote island-wide. On the other hand, I think it is clear that many people would be placed at a disadvantage. Many will not be able to muster the stamina necessary to identify the people who best represent their views and act in their interest from a field of 90 candidates. It’s not that I think they are stupid; I just think some people actually have a life outside politics.
Report abuse
russm
Even under the district system if the bare number of candidates put their name forward they would all walk in unopposed.I seem to remember when the district system started certain candidates waited until the last moment before deciding which district gave them the best chance ( so much for parish loyalty)
Personally IWV would give me the satisfaction of having done my best by deliberately NOT voting for X Y or Z even if he/she got in anyway.There is a massive frustration about not being able to do anything about a useless prat from another district
Report abuse
I propose that any project with a capital spend of five million (and those likely to go over budget to five million) or over should all go to the public vote.
There are only 62,000(ish) of us. So any projects costing six million or more will cost each islander a minimum of £100. I want my say for my £100, not left to some failed business person at Frossard House. I do feel several politicians here only have their positions because they can’t cut the mustard in the private sector.
Report abuse
Maybe sometime, when they have nothing else better to do, Guerns should look up the meaning of democracy in the dictionary.
Report abuse
coyote
Why?
Report abuse
Do they care if we vote or not ? I am sure most of them don’t. This way they will nearly all keep their “cosy pensions”. I believe the problems all started with the mistaken idea that encouraging the young by offering a salary of £35,000 + would improve the thinking behind future projects,but as I keep saying,” wisdom only comes with age,and experience” and no amount of money will change this.
Report abuse