Former deputy criticises States’ video about public gallery access

But at least part of its message has been criticised by a regular visitor to the gallery, former deputy and one-time ‘Mother of the House’ Mary Lowe.

The short clip has been made available on the States’ website in the section covering meetings and alongside it there is a glossary of parliamentary terms to help anyone who follows the meetings, either in person, online or on the radio.

The parliamentary team said it hoped the new material would help inform people what goes on in and around the meetings.

States Greffier Simon Ross is the host of the video. He talks about the different ways in which people can access States meetings and also gives them a guide on how to reach the public gallery in the States chamber.

The video advises people to arrive about 10 minutes before the start of meetings. Mrs Lowe said that made it seem as if people needed to sit in the gallery all day.

‘With easy access to the public gallery, it’s possible to pop in briefly anytime during the day or stay for as long as it suits,’ she said.

‘Nobody is required to sit there for long periods, or be there for the start. It’s worth popping in.’

This was something she did before she stood for election and she said she learned a lot.

‘Watching States meetings from the public gallery adds a whole new dimension to States debates that cannot be gained by listening on the radio, online, or reading the reports in the Press.’

Mrs Lowe said that not all that could be seen from the gallery was good.

During this parliamentary term she has recorded how often members leave the chamber during meetings.

‘States members leaving the chamber during debates, sometimes for long periods, has been worse this term than in previous terms.

‘That said, since it’s become known I was logging down who was going outside, a slightly better attendance exists, for now.’

She has also seen ‘disrespectful’ behaviour, including lengthy or disruptive discussions between deputies while another member was giving a speech.

As well as finding it easier to focus on the debates, Mrs Lowe said that being present in the room helped provide a feel for how a debate might end, not least by watching deputies’ body language.

Mrs Lowe said the States needed to modernise and televise debates, but until that happened she encouraged people to visit the public gallery.

The parliamentary team said its new material was also designed to help people who might be thinking of standing for election.

As the 2025 general election draws closer, it will be looking to provide further material to make the States more accessible to potential candidates as well as the general public.

‘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,’ they said.

‘It is hoped such future pieces will educate and empower members of the public who may be considering standing at the general election in June 2025.’