Bid to cut 10 deputies from the States in time for next election

Tuesday 08 October 2024

An attempt will be made to reduce the number of deputies by 10 as supporters argue that Guernsey’s system is “clearly and obviously failing the public”.

Deputy Mark Helyar is leading the proposal, which would leave 28 deputies and two Alderney representatives making up the next Assembly after the 2025 General Election.

“Over many years States deputies have clung to a mythical consensus model which is unable to deliver in the modern world and there has been a persistent refusal to allow anyone individual or group to lead government and to make executive decisions,” the requete says.

“We aren't even able to call our chief minister 'chief minister' when in the island. For Guernsey’s sake, we must move forward and away from clinging to a governmental system which does not work. The public very clearly wants to see change, clear and effective decision making and leadership and an end to time wasting and endless unproductive circular debate. The first step towards delivering leaner Guernsey government is to reduce its numbers prior to the next election.”

The motion is also backed by deputies Peter Ferbrache, Bob Murray, Nick Moakes, David Mahoney, Sue Aldwell, and Rob Prow.

They cite reruns of debates on mooring fees, fixed penalty fines, the reversal of the decision to save costs by closing Herm school and an amendment to introduce NICE drugs which incurs spending that cannot be met from revenue income as examples of the failure of the current system to make binding decisions “without being consistently challenged by a disaffected minority who lost a particular vote”.

The requete supporters say it is their view and a ”statistically significant sampled proportion of Guernsey’s public” that the number of States deputies is currently too high and leads to wasted costs, time wasting debate, a lack of accountability and inability to be decisive in its decision making process which is mirrored in the service which supports it.

They reference a special media poll created on Deputy Helyar’s Facebook page to back their case. It had 588 votes by 24 September, with 95% supporting the option to “try and reduce the number of deputies by 10”.

The proposition says that there are several strong arguments for reducing the size of the Assembly.

They include that smaller groups are easier to manage in terms of meetings and communication, so it is easier to build consensus.

They are also less likely to factionalise - they have to work together to secure outcomes.

A smaller group of politicians will also require all members to be part of committee government and be more aware of issues across government.

They suggest that it could lead to other changes, like disbanding  scrutiny, moving it to an external non-political board, and merging revenue raising done by ESS and P&R.

No date has been set for the States debate on the requete.