'The A Team' doesn't want to 'Let it B'

Wednesday 12 September 2018

Two of the official campaigns for the upcoming referendum on Island Wide Voting have now launched with the third expected to do so soon.

There will actually be five options for voters to choose between at the referendum on Wednesday 10 October, but only three have official campaign groups.

Pictured: The five options which voters can choose between in the upcoming referendum 

Political group the Islander’s Association was appointed to lead campaigning on Option A – where everyone would have 38 votes to cast on election day. Association founding members deputies Carl Meerveld and Peter Ferbrache have taken the lead on its campaigning and both spoke during last night's launch event. 

Pictured: Deputy Carl Meerveld speaking at the launch of the Option A campaign 

The association said this option presented the ‘purest form’ of island wide voting, and Deputy Meerveld said the change will herald a new era in local politics. Deputy Ferbrache gave a history of the States and pointed out how at various times in Guernsey's democratic history each individual parish hasn't been represented in the States so that won't be a problem going forward, while confirming his belief that the current system of government is not fit for purpose.

The Islanders Association has had merchandise printed to promote its wish for Option A to win the referendum.

Pictured: Some of the merchandise created for the Islanders Association's campaign 

Fergus Dunlop and Caroline McManus are in charge of campaigning for Option B – which will split the island into seven districts. Their campaign was launched last month. 

Deputy John Gollop and Rhoderick Matthews will present the case for Option C, a hybrid of an island-wide and district system. They are expected to officially launch their campaign soon.

Option D, which would split the island into four electoral districts and give voters between nine and 11 votes at each election, and Option E where elections are held every two years and deputies serve six years, received no interest from people wishing to persuade others of the merits.

The referendum will be held on Wednesday 10 October. Anyone over the age of 16 who is registered on Guernsey's electoral roll will be able to vote. There are details of how to register and more information on the referendum at gov.gg