Party politics could lead to better States

The rot started some 25 to 30 years ago when an ideological, single-issue group led by Mark Dorey (not then a member of the States), decided that it was undemocratic and therefore wrong that conseillers were elected by an electoral college and not by the public.

Some years later the douzaine representatives were also sacrificed on this same sacred cow without any thought or consideration as to whether this would lead to better government. It was more democratic and therefore it had to be better.

Of course it was not better and it led to worse government and each successive attempt at remodelling the constitutions has left the electorate dissatisfied – hence the referendum.

Some may argue the move to island-wide voting is also ideological but it has an underlying, practical logic in the electorate being able to make every vote go to a candidate in which they have confidence and not being restricted, as in the current constitution, to the limited choice in their district.

There have been many negative and reactionary views expressed about IWV but with no brain power given to the positive advantages. One constant criticism is that it will lead, horror of horrors, to party politics. This has already commenced with the formation of the Islanders Association, of which I am a member, and I welcome the possibility of further like-minded groupings, which I believe are unlikely to become disciplined, whip-controlled parties as in the UK.

However, what is not realised is that such associations are already in existence informally and that the socialist, green, liberal left group of deputies has been increasing in number in my view (and this is not necessarily a criticism) by the push to have more women deputies and the increased payments to the States members. One can see the influence of this group in many recent decisions of the Assembly. One can also see that they are committed to following their principles regardless of the pragmatic effect or public opinion, as in some of the examples below:

n The anti-car faction with the attempt to limit traffic to a single lane on The Quay; the 25mph speed limit controversy ignoring the public consultation and the electric bike subsidy, to name but three.

n In education, the abolition of the 11-plus, also against public opinion, and the anti-elitist opposition to the colleges without thought for the special placeholders being deprived of merited opportunity.

n In population control, where tourism, finance and other businesses are struggling to find suitable staff, which all leads to a reduction of the island’s GDP, income tax receipts and a struggling property market.

I believe therefore that the formation of political associations will be of great benefit to Guernsey people being able to get the government they want. How so? The Islanders Association has now set out its stall as a business, economy-led, implementing association, albeit with a social conscience but a tight control on spending.

The liberal, socialist, principled deputies have been promoting and getting their ideologies successfully put into law. We elected them as individuals and they have acted effectively, in concert, to shift the political balance of the States of Deliberation.

How much better if they form an association so we know what we are voting for in 2020?

GEOFF DOREY,

Les Queux,

Ruette Des Effards, Castel