We cannot continue with this political and governance shambles

We all now have an opportunity to express our opinion on whether or not the system introduced for the 2020 election was a success.

For me the answer is a resounding ‘No’. Deputy Meerveld (GP 8 February), a clearly not unbiased member of the SMC, heralds the 119 candidates as an ‘exceptionally positive result’. Really?

While I supported retaining district voting, when that option became unavailable I determined to use my vote to the best of my ability and so constructed a spreadsheet where, having read manifestos, I analysed the pros and cons of each candidate.

Despite my best efforts I found it impossible to select with confidence 38 candidates who I felt would best represent our island.

Two-and-a-half years on my confidence has sunk to rock bottom. I am disappointed by the clear divisions in the house, the lack of respect shown by members, who leave the chamber during debate, and deputies who do not appear fully to research matters before spending far too long talking about them. Then there is flip/flop decision making. And, of course, many of us no longer have ‘local’ deputies who care about our parish or district with whom we could discuss our views. I could go on.

Richard Digard hit the nail on the head (What’s the point of Guernsey?, 3 February) when he referred to the reason 12 conseillers, elected by the States of Election, were introduced by our forefathers ‘...to ensure that the States should not at any moment… be overloaded with inexperienced men… in the hope that this would prevent decisions which would later be regretted being taken as a result of some passing mood or possibly even some passing events,’

Richard opined that this ensured that experienced people did not lose their seats simply because the electorate was ignorant of the services they had given to this island.

So for me – a re-introduction of conseillers and district or parish voting would go a long way to returning the composition of the States to informed, valued and respect statesmen and women steering us safely through today’s choppy waters.

I urge everyone who cares about Guernsey now, and for future generations, to think carefully about how best we can be governed. Please take this opportunity to express your opinion – whatever it is. Start at www.gov.gg/scrutiny and submit your thoughts by 24 March. We simply cannot continue with this political and governance shambles.

MARGUERITE TALMAGE

St Peter’s