The future of IWV now at stake

Not just the futures of dozens of general election candidates, and, by extension, the future of thousands of Guernsey people, but the future of the island-wide electoral system.

The long-fought campaign to introduce, or arguably, reintroduce island-wide voting is ringing hollow.

Many people haven’t enjoyed the experience, for myriad reasons, and the indications from the lower-than-expected sign up to the electoral roll at this stage in the pre-election process seem to be proving as much.

We’ve also got to consider the implications of yet another ‘worst States ever’ – one that has been a crushing disappointment to so many, concerned about the lack of progress made, the obvious inability to address the big issues, and the toxic behaviours exhibited from the start, and still depressingly prevalent in the dying days of this Assembly.

What can we read into this sluggish interest in registration?

No desire for change?

A rejection of island-wide voting?

Or that people are, worryingly, turning their backs on local politics?

Sixteen months ago, a Scrutiny review indicated a collapse in support for island-wide voting. Maybe that's now manifesting itself.

But whatever the answer, it feels like a cause for concern.