Rules set ahead of IWV referendum campaigning

Wednesday 07 March 2018

Official campaign groups will be set up ahead of the planned referendum on Island Wide Voting, with any individual campaigning strictly controlled by States regulations.

As previously agreed by the States of Guernsey, five officially-recognised campaign groups could be set up to represent each of the five options which will be on the ballot paper at the referendum. Those groups could then claim a "limited grant from the States" to promote the choice they want people to vote for.

The States Assembly and Constitution Committee believes this will encourage the formation of such groups, while giving each a "fair and equal chance of succeeding" when the polls open.

The grants have been suggested as "no more than £5,000 per campaign group" which would mean a maximum of £25,000 in total for the five approved groups.

The campaign groups could be permitted to spend more money in addition to any States’ grant, but a cap could be placed on such expenditure in the region of £10,000 to ensure equality.

When agreeing who would be responsible for each of the officially-recognised campaign groups, SACC has suggested that applications would be "invited from persons wishing to work together as an official campaign group for an option" - and those applicants could be "serving or former Deputies or members of the public." The applicants would all be evaluated by an appointment panel which would also need prior approval by the States. 

It has now been suggested that that panel be made up of a former Bailiff, a Jurat and the Creative Director of Specsavers, one of Guernsey's biggest private enterprises. 

If approved by the States, Sir de Vic Carey, Jurat Stephen Jones and Graham Daldry will be appointed as the three members of the Campaign Group Assessments Panel, and would then have a say over how any campaign money is allocated and verified.

For more information on the planned referendum, look here. 

Pictured top: File image of a ballot box