Comment: Referendum crossroad

Monday 08 October 2018

In his own words, writing for Express, Dr Stretch Kontelj outlines why this week's referndum leaves Guernsey at a crossroads...

The corflutes and bunting have been rolled out, the public debates and online spats have been had, all that remains is for the residents of Guernsey to have their say on the voting system referendum on 10 October. Ironically the referendum coincides with the 10 year anniversary of the global financial crisis of 2008.

The financial crisis of ten years ago triggered a period of chaos, crisis and change that has not abated. Just as it appeared that the world was emerging from the carnage of the financial crisis, geo-political events and personalities have ‘raised the bar’ on chaos and crisis. BREXIT was the start of this new ‘norm’, followed by the election of President Trump in the US and exacerbated by the bungling BREXIT negotiations.

In the chaos of a “post-truth”, “fake news” world, the irony is we are all looking for greater certainty for Guernsey and its residents – and, critically for us, greater certainty for business which will be a key driver determining Guernsey’s success.

So what to do?

The island needs to reflect on what has made it successful and build on that. Guernsey’s greatest assets are as follows:

• - Independence from the UK 
• - Single tier government structure
• - Stable system of government and a well-developed and respected legal system
• - Attractive tax system conducive to entrepreneurship and self-reliance
• - Harmonious population
• - Public safety and welcoming of family life
• - Sense of community

If there is a theme that comes up continuously in all surveys and community discussions on what will make Guernsey successful in the 21st Century, it is connectivity. Global and business connectivity through embracing technology, connectivity by sea and air and connectivity politically and diplomatically. How well the issue of connectivity is handled will determine Guernsey’s future.

The referendum provides an opportunity for Guernsey to reflect on the voting system that will help shape its government and in turn Guernsey’s place in the world in the 21st Century. Is the status quo the best outcome for Guernsey or is it time for a more radical approach akin to island wide voting which brings with it the risk of party politics or at the very least, alliance affiliated groupings. Alternatively, we may want to go with a variant of both extremes as an exercise in ‘try before you buy’.

Decisions, decisions!

There doesn’t appear to be a front runner from my observation of the various so the referendum is unlikely in the first instance to result in a majority winner. The winner will be the most preferred of the options based on second, third or even fourth round redistributions. Whatever the outcome, changing the voting system alone won’t be enough to dramatically change the workings of government. What is required is a review of the machinery of government to give the elected States the ability to effect dramatic and effective reform and economic development.

So whilst the referendum on the voting system has been an interesting exercise it isn’t the panacea to the working of government that is required and must be seen as the first step along a path of reform of the Guernsey machinery of government. Let’s hope that whichever voting system is ultimately settled on, that it provides a vehicle for the election of Guernsey’s best and brightest to help drive Guernsey’s economic and social prosperity into the 21st century.