“The move from Alderney's Good Governance Group is truly shocking, as the group pushes hard to remove the public vote for Alderney Reps, stealing the ballot box from the electorate, surely a backwards step for democracy, which can only be described as a power grab from the group. 

“The proposal will see Alderney States members pick between themselves who they send to Guernsey rather than the current public plebiscite vote to appoint the positions, we will likely see 'jobs for the boys' moving accountability away from the public, instead replaced with the new overpowering 'Executive Council'.   

“It is an honour and privilege to serve in the States of Deliberation, the appointment must not be taken for granted with such a significant role over Bailiwick matters. In my opinion, we must give the electorate the ability to vote in an election for the candidates they feel will best serve the island, this is so important with well-established jurisdictions, demonstrating good governance, this underpins our democracy. “ 

“The Alderney Reps election ensures a manifesto is issued to every household on the island about what they feel could be achieved in the Guernsey States. This is followed up with public engagement by having vast conversations during the election period outlining policy views on important governmental matters between Guernsey and Alderney such as the 1948 agreement, which sets out the relationship between the islands and gives two seats in the States of Deliberation to be served by Alderney under the agreement.  

“Having the Alderney Reps election makes sure the public mandate is in place for the role, this is essential. I am hearing whispers there could be moves to downgrade the influence from Alderney in the States of Deliberation if the States of Alderney support sending unelected Alderney Reps into Guernsey's parliament. 

“The Alderney Reps election gives a public mandate which must not be forgotten or taken for granted. The Good Governance Group appear hell-bent on stopping this public vote following the announcement from the group to remove the public vote for Alderney reps, I fear this belittles and undermines the position.  

“There will be no public mandate or manifesto issued to the community for them to decide who they wish to represent in the States of Deliberation. Rather this new Executive Council may try and use the votes for secret deals behind closed doors, this would make sending reps down to Guernsey pointless as they would be close-minded not listening or taking part in well-constructed debate within the Chamber.” 

“We would just have two unelected seats for Alderney Reps on the States of Guernsey likely under the control of a few powerful members part of the Executive Council. The Good Governance Group appears to ignore the hard work Guernsey candidates are required to undertake when seeking election for deputies with over 6400 votes required to have one vote in the Guernsey States.  

“I wouldn't be surprised to hear Guernsey colleagues being a little bit peeved off with Alderney stating unelected Alderney Reps will serve in the Chamber without a single public vote for the position. At the last Alderney election, we saw more people vote in the plebiscite election than we did for an actual Alderney States member in a by-election. 

“The public must always have a right to throw out or appoint whoever they feel will best represent them, we don't live in a dictatorship, now more than ever we have seen democracy is worth fighting for. I would urge the Alderney Good Governance Group to swiftly engage with our political colleagues in Guernsey rather than pushing forward a flawed proposal which undermines and belittles good governance in Guernsey and Alderney.”