Our deputies cannot be one -dimensional

One-to-one constituency work, attempting to help those that have fallen between the gaps, those that need a voice and those that simply need to be put in touch with the right people is unglamorous, often thankless and will not win many votes.

And it is also easy to ignore, especially now that Guernsey has moved to island-wide voting and parties begin to have an influence.

Today, Deputy Lester Queripel raises concerns that too many new candidates did not appreciate the full extent of the role, which he, unlike others, considers to be full-time.

Without those willing to roll up their sleeves and act in the community, the political body runs the risk of becoming only a distant, disconnected, one-dimensional policy making machine.

The consequence of that can be a dangerous hubris, especially at a time of social and economic stress that has been brought about by the pandemic.

The loss of direct political parish representation has made it even easier for a deputy to disappear into the system.

Deputies are just learning what it means to operate under the new consensus, island-wide, party-lite model.

So far they have opted for obedience, a collegiate approach with very few willing to challenge and question.

It may be the easiest road to take, but meek nodding is not in the best interests of the island.

Policies and decisions need to be tested and challenged each step of the way to ensure they are robust.

Once they have secured their seat for four years, politicians are largely left to interpret the role as a deputy however they see fit.

They can also do the same with the committee positions they take up in the States.

It is all about balance.

Under our current system we need our deputies to create and deliver policy, legislation, to be scrutineers, but to also act on behalf of individuals and help where no-one else can.

It cannot be a one-dimensional role.