Guernsey Press

This is the start of change, not the end

A VOTE for change. For a new political future.

Published

With the status quo failing even to make the last round of counting that is clearly what the island wants.

Deep dissatisfaction with how the island is run swept away Option B.

And in its wake what do we have? An opportunity to vote for every candidate.

But is that enough to satisfy islanders who despair of the States? What real difference will it make?

If it is to mean political parties then deputies are going to have to get their skates on. There are only 18 months to go before the general election.

In that time they are going to have to gather supporters, agree on a set of policies and communicate them by June 2020.

It is a tall order.

Regardless, the chances are that many existing deputies will not wish to be dragged into a political structure that would curtail their individuality.

Instead, they will stand as an independent States member.

In the 2020 election that should not be a problem. Name recognition will ensure that most if not all will win re-election comfortably.

That will be especially true for those deputies from the more populous districts who already have a strong core of voters.

Newcomers will not find it so easy and may be tempted to join a party to gain profile and a base level support.

Ironically, those voters who wanted change above all else may have ensured that established politicians get an easy ride back into power.

Looking past 2020, the crystal ball is murky.

The only thing that is clear is that voters will not accept the status quo. More of the same government with just a different form of election is not enough.

Not all deputies agree with that. They want island-wide voting to be the end, not the means to an end.

But if genuine change is to take root it has to mean another political system. One capable of decisive authority.

The end of consensus government would be a good place to start.