We have seen which deputies have risen to virus challenge
GUERNSEY will need politicians of the highest calibre to restore the economy after the coronavirus pandemic, and over the last term, year and months we have seen clearly which deputies have risen to the challenges they have faced, which have done little of note and which have been a disappointment.
When the elections take place next year, most of us will have a clear idea of who we would like to see heading the main departments of the States, and in all probability we will nearly all agree who they should be.
Unfortunately, we, the electors, will have no say whatsoever in those decisions.
All we can do is elect 38 deputies, most of whom we know little about.
It is they who will decide who gets which job.
Will they choose the leaders best qualified to serve the interests of the island?
Not a chance!
During a series of meetings and contacts well away from the public gaze, they will make grubby little ‘you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours’ deals, after which the most devious and politically cunning will take the prize places.
How did this sad state of affairs come about?
Because the referendum that was supposed to give islanders the chance to choose how they elect their leaders was distorted to produce the result a cabal of deputies wanted.
The option that would most likely have been overwhelmingly favoured by electors never appeared on the referendum.
I have no idea how it could be accomplished, but before the 2021 election voters should be given the chance to choose between the referendum winner of island-wide voting for all deputies, and the obvious alternative of voting for those politicians who would take each senior position at an island-wide election, followed by a separate election of deputies to represent us and hold the senior members to account for their handling of the portfolios they have been given, with that election conducted on a local (constituency or parish) basis.
BARRIE PAIGE
GY6 8BP.