WATCH: Find your way around the States chamber with a new video guide

Wednesday 12 April 2023

Anyone who has ever wanted to watch the States meetings live from the public gallery has now been provided with a handy video guide, to ensure you can find your way to the seating area and what to expect when you get there.

The video has been produced by the Greffe with the States Greffier, Mr Simon Ross presenting.

The Greffe is the department which oversees the States as a political body, while the States Greffier is the Clerk of the legislative assembly known as the States of Deliberation, and often called simply 'The States'.

A glossary of useful words and phrases used by local politicians and law makers has also been put together for public use. That can be found HERE.

Mr Ross said the glossary is intended to "explain the words a visitor to the public gallery/listener on the radio may hear during debate which we hope will assist in informing people of what goes on in and around a States Meeting".

The video - which was published on the States website gov.gg/statesmeetings last week - sees Mr Ross take viewers on a short tour of the Royal Court, giving directions and advice on how to enter the building and how to find the public gallery.

Mr Ross starts by explaining where he is, when and how often the States meetings take place, and what happens during the meetings.

He explains how "Guernsey has been making its own laws for a very long time so the meetings are quite formal and traditional".

Pictured: The video is less than two minutes long and can be watched with 'closed caption' subtitles.

Mr Ross told Express that "the Parliamentary Team are looking to offer more outreach pieces such as the above to make the proceedings within the States of Deliberation more accessible to the general public and potential future Members of the States".

With an election just over two years away, Mr Ross said he is aware that some people will become more interested in what happens during States meetings as they consider standing for election themselves. With that in mind further videos are expected to be published, giving even more of an insight into how our government works. 

"Once elected, Members face a considerable amount of new information to digest and understand and the formal nature of proceedings in States Meetings can be challenging to master without any prior knowledge or experience. It is hoped such future pieces will educate members of the public who may be considering standing at the General Election in June 2025," said Mr Ross.