Embrace work interests for a better States

Just a handful of deputies, conseillers and douzaine representatives did not have at least a part-time job, in part because the ‘salary’ for such a role was in the region of £5-6,000 – it was means-tested, with a spouse income also taken into account, and included claims for attending meetings. Adjusted for inflation from a 1991 figure, that would now be worth some £13,000 – just a third of today’s standard deputies’ salary.

Thirty years ago was a simpler age for politics, when the responsibilities of States members were largely domestically-focused – be that a Guernsey-based agenda and/or parish constituency work, which then, as now, was embraced more enthusiastically by some more than others.

Certainly from a journalist's perspective – whatever their political role or daily work, that generation of States members picked up the ringing telephone, often from their work desk, and dealt with calls from reporters there and then. ‘Good old days’ indeed.

Today, following a worrying descent into ‘sleaze’ territory, the UK government is now moving to prevent MPs to take on certain jobs in addition to their parliamentary duties. A commitment of no more than 15 hours a week for a second job has been suggested as reasonable. What a mess.

There is no hint of sleaze in a second job in Guernsey politics. Some will say that better pay for States members has led to a more representative assembly.

Others would argue it has created a political class, sometimes detached from reality and the electorate. And this, combined with the nature of some, which encourages them to be more executive than board level, has created today’s full-time politician.

There should be little doubt – if a wide cross-section of the public can be encouraged to stand, on a part- or full-time basis – Guernsey politics will continue to benefit from a wide base of financial, environmental and social interests.