ONE story that gained attention in certain quarters was that of a Cornish researcher coming to the island and declaring that other jurisdictions could learn a lot from Guernsey’s ‘impressive’ government structure.

Reaction varied from a startled, ‘really?’ to a more sanguine, ‘there, finally someone’s recognised the truth at last’.

The context of the Cornish interest is, however, important. Its politicians would like more autonomy and more freedom from UK central government. They would also like to have more access to money which goes to Prince Charles through the Duchy of Cornwall, funds which they largely regard as theirs to be used for the benefit of what is recognised as one of the Celtic Nations.

In that light, Guernsey is indeed fortunate with its freedoms and autonomy and ability to raise revenues and spend as it sees fit.

It is also an enormous benefit, seen from the Duchy’s perspective, that decision-makers are so accessible to the electorate – a far cry from central government being a five-hour drive from Truro.

Perhaps the acid test, however, is whether the island’s policy makers – or Cornwall’s, for that matter – would put the existing structure in place again if starting with a blank piece of paper.

The answer is certainly not. The system has evolved over centuries, is continuing to develop and is still trying to pull away from its roots in the Royal Court. What was sensible, pragmatic and workable even 60 years ago is inimical with today’s standards.

The other point to remember is that organisations are generally regarded as only as good as their last mistake. Governments, in particular, are not judged on what they do well but on what they do not, no matter how small a percentage of the whole that might be.

And while, as the Wales Audit Office identified, executive government is exercised by the individual departments, it is the States in the round that is held responsible when something inevitably goes wrong.

It is one of the reasons that the Policy Council is attempting to strengthen accountability and another indicator that, no matter how attractive it looks from the outside, Guernsey’s government continues to evolve to meet today’s demands.