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Time to "C change", say referendum campaigners

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Friday 14 September 2018

Time to "C change", say referendum campaigners

Friday 14 September 2018


The campaign group for Option C launched this morning with an appeal for volunteers to help "change the island's future".

It took place at a debate between representatives of four of the five options, A, B, C and D, that was organised by the Institute of Directors, and was attended by a crowd of business executives and politicians.

Option C would allow islanders to vote both for favourites from around the island, while also preserving a parish voting system, by giving hopeful-deputies the chance to either stand island wide or in a parish district.

A spokesperson for the campaign said it was a "healthy hybrid".

"We believe that Option C represents the best of both worlds for Guernsey as a healthy hybrid. It answers the real demand to be able to vote for your favoured candidates standing across the island whilst preserving the ability to vote for local candidates in your parish.

"Option C preserves the Parishes which have served our community for centuries whilst giving the States the mandate it needs to cut through political deadlock and change Guernsey for the better.

"We believe it is a tried and tested system. It works well in other elections in other jurisdictions without leading to division between those members elected by either Island Wide Vote or through the parish system."

The campaign group kicked off at this morning's Institute of Directors Island Wide Voting debate. The event was organised as the first opportunity for spokespersons backing every option to speak out and debate with their competitors. Deputy Peter Ferbrache represented Option A, Caroline McManus represented Option B, and Nigel De La Rue Option D, while Deputy Chris Green spoke for Option C.

Deputy Green said while he somewhat in favour of island wide voting, this was a more realistic step toward that, compared to the leap that option A would be. 

referendum options

Pictured: The five options available in the referendum which is due to be held on Wednesday 10 October.

When the States conducted a public survey in 2009, the options on offer were broadly the current Options A, B and C. The hybrid model came out top of the survey. Despite originally being excluded from the options proposed by SACC for this year’s referendum, the States in 2017 voted 31 to 7 for it to be included as Option C.

Now, the group are hoping for volunteers to come forward to help them campaign for people to vote for their favoured option, which according to the group, has a wide appeal and is the number one choice for Guernsey.

"Option C can be an exciting change for Guernsey politics. It is a significant step forward in the democratic process whilst avoiding the risks of a leap in the dark. It offers adaptability and flexibility in the future if experience suggests altering the balance between those Deputies elected island-wide and those elected from electoral districts.

"We ask the Guernsey people: why limit yourself to choosing your representatives only from your parish, why commit yourself to choosing 38 Deputies out of over 90 possible island-wide candidates, and why lumber yourself with going to the polls every two years?"

Currently, Option C has a campaign team consisting of former and current Deputies alongside people getting involved in Guernsey politics for the first time.

"We are not a political party or grouping but people coming together for what is best for the island. If other like-minded individuals would like to get involved and help out at any level, please get in contact at: optioncgsy@gmail.com or via our facebook page facebook.com/VoteOptionC/."

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