The proposal to cut the number of States members from 10 to eight will be before the States for approval at its meeting in mid-April. It is the latest stage in a prolonged period of discussions within the island’s States over the past two political terms, looking at issues including improving the efficiency and effectiveness of decision-making, reviewing the number of States members, considering the role of the President, and examining how Alderney’s Representatives in the States of Guernsey are elected.
The island’s good governance group has researched several governance models, with a particular focus on developing a potential executive style of government.
Currently 10 members are elected from a single all-island constituency, equating to one member for 143 constituents on the electoral roll. Each member holds equal status.
‘As collective decision-making is required, establishing consensus can be time-consuming, and responsibility for policy leadership can be unclear,’ said Policy & Finance chair Jeannie Cameron in a report to the States.
Her committee has supported retaining the current committee system while reducing the number of States members. It is proposed to keep elections to November and December while moving to a single election every four years for States members, with a presidential election staggered in the middle of that cycle to maintain continuity of governance. That move will be achieved by creating only three vacancies for the election this coming November, rather than five.
Those elected will serve a two-year term commencing in January 2027, moving to a single election for eight seats for a four-year term in November 2028.
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