Deputies need to pick up the pace

For States members, the end of the long August break is an opportunity to assess what the Assembly has achieved in the two years since the 2016 election and look forward to what might be achieved in the two years before the next elections.

Few can be wholly satisfied with the first half of this term, which has been characterised by division and the tying off of long-term projects mostly developed by the previous Assembly.

Education has been a rollercoaster which may still have a few ups and downs to come while the goodwill extended to the public sector and Health on the basis of promises of transformation will not last forever.

But while there has been notable success with bringing States finances under control and the reformation of benefits has seemingly gone without a hitch, progress in many crucial areas has been far too slow.

With little sign of new ideas coming to fruition, the economy has been lacklustre and sea and air links – a top priority for too long – remain a work in progress.

How many more reports must be produced on these areas before the States can finally get behind a vision that works on all levels?

Time is running short if genuine progress is to be made.

Realistically, with elections in June 2020, deputies will start to lose their focus some months beforehand, perhaps as early as the new year. This will be especially true if this October’s referendum brings in island-wide voting and with it the added distraction of forming political parties.

And that is before factoring in the all-consuming issue of Brexit.

With that in mind, it is disappointing to see what little lies on the current agenda.

The first States meeting is in a month’s time and includes just two items of any note: ‘revisions to the proceeds of crime framework’ and ‘minor amendments to Social Security legislation’.

It does not inspire confidence that this Assembly is finally about to hit its stride.