Are Douzaines the key to parish representation in a world of Island Wide Voting?

Monday 15 October 2018

For better or for worse, island wide voting will likely usher in a time of change for Guernsey's parish douzaines, a number of constables and douzeniers have said.

Parochial elections have been one of the Douzaines' most important duties in recent years, and while the exact mechanisms for island wide voting have not yet been decided, they could see more power taken away from the parish offices.

Though, with the possibility of party politics entering the States of Guernsey, and also the possibility of there being less parish accountability among deputies, it has also been suggested more power be returned to the Douzaines.

One way or the other, following the referendum result, Dean of the Castel Douzaine Mike Fooks said they would be seeing change come the 2020 election.

"The Douzaines have all evolved over time as things have changed - certainly in the Castel we have adapted as the machinery of government has," he said.

"We have a very good relationship with parish deputies at the moment, as an example, and that will likely change. As for giving more power to the Douzaines, that idea can only be applauded. Hopefully Island Wide Voting will bring in quite an exciting time for us."

The suggestion of returning power to the parishes was something the Islanders Association emphasised when they announced they would be backing Island Wide Voting earlier in the year. They said it would compensate for some parishes potentially not getting the same level of representation when people do not vote parochially, as there will be nothing to force people to vote for any deputies from some parishes. 

However St Sampsons Constable Paul Le Pelley said island wide voting had the potential to further erode Douzaine duties, but that was not necessarily a bad thing.

Pictured: Deputy Paul Le Pelley who is also parish Constable for St Sampson. 

"For sure, the Douzaines are needed, but some duties have been eroded for good reason. Some things have changed for the better - I can’t give out gun licences any more - is that a good thing? Yes. I can’t sign for mental heath patients to be sectioned anymore - is that a good thing? Yes, most definitely that’s a good thing," he said.

"Some of the more laborious and mucky jobs, I can’t see the States or civil servants being so quick to do it, so the douzaines will still be needed. When there’s a stream which is flooding and you have to find out where it is coming from, that still needs to be done. Local knowledge helps and experience if you have done it before.

"A team of people do that and yes they’ve got a vested interest, of course they have, because they live there - if a stream is flooding you want it sorted out so you ask your douzenier as they live nearby too."

One thing all douzeniers agreed on was that the Douzaines did still have a place in Guernsey life. It was simply a matter of how things unfolded. 

St Peter Port Constable Jenny Tasker raised a number of potential ways they could play a role in Island Wide Voting - but was sure they would in some way.

"There is a lot for the States to work out ahead of the island wide election. Are people going to vote at any polling station across the island, for example? It will all affect us," she said.

"But yes, the douzaines could most certainly help in ensuring people feel they have somewhere to go with concerns. We already get a great deal of letters with concerns and questions. Douzaines should be one of the first ports of call for any local problems."