States to hold online meeting next week if test a success
THE Bailiff has given the green light for virtual States meetings to take place using Microsoft Teams software so that democracy can continue during the coronavirus pandemic.
Before the lockdown, the idea of online States meetings was dismissed by some deputies as ‘unworkable’, but the idea has gained traction as people get used to new ways of operating.
The meeting will take place on Tuesday 14 April at 2pm and a practice run will be held this week.
As yet it is unclear whether all deputies have decent wi-fi in their homes, so the prospect of having 37 deputies and two Alderney representatives meeting online could be challenging for the States’ IT experts.
However, various States committee meetings have been taking place online, allowing politicians to continue working.
Chris Green is in charge of scrutinising States decisions in his role as the president of the Scrutiny Management Committee.
He expressed concern that the last States meeting had to be cancelled and he was open to using technological solutions.
‘I think we really need parliamentary democracy right now, in whatever way will work.
‘Parliamentary scrutiny and challenge are the meat and drink of democracy; and we need to remember that this applies even when the going gets very tough, as it will with our fight against Covid-19.’
Deputy Green commended the Civil Contingencies Authority for the way it had ‘stepped up to the mark’ in the crisis, but highlighted an ongoing need for proper oversight of decision-making, notwithstanding all the Covid-19 challenges.
The stringent and far-reaching legislation that was imposed by the authority does need to be subsequently endorsed by the States if it is to remain valid after 30 days.
According to Deputy Green, there are two urgent matters that the States needs to debate – whether the election should be deferred, and the ongoing government structure during the crisis.
Both are weighty issues that Deputy Green said required careful consideration and analysis.
‘They are not the sort of things that should be going through on the nod because they seem like a good idea at the time.’
The States of Jersey held its first virtual meeting last week using Microsoft Teams.
The States’ Assembly & Constitution Committee is meeting this week to try to iron out some of the issues that could arise.
Perhaps anticipating the possibility of technical issues, Deputy Green agreed it would be a good idea to do a test run first.
‘I think it would definitely be wise to conduct a trial first rather than going straight into a States meeting done remotely.
‘It will, however, require a change to the rules of procedure to enable such a States meeting to take place.
‘And, of course, we cannot meet physically at the moment to approve such a rule change.’
No one is offering any guarantees that a seamless and 100% coherent States meeting can be held remotely, but the intention is there and some deputies believe that where there is a will, there is a way.
