Guernsey Considers Referendum Over Government Changes

by Robert Lee, Tax-News.com, London

30 January 2002

Plans to alter the structure of government in Guernsey may be put to the public vote if proposals made by the Chamber of Commerce, Institute of Directors and Transport and General Workers Union are accepted.

In November 2000, a Review of the Machinery of Government was commissioned, and a panel chaired by Peter Harwood produced a report containing specific recommendations was published in March 2001.

At present, government through the States of Guernsey is administered through a committee system, whereby States Committees are responsible for carrying out specific functions of government, and propose policies to the States for approval. However, the review was commissioned following concerns that there are too many committees, and that the jurisdiction's senior body, the Advisory and Finance Committee, has no real authority.

The Harwood report proposed the introduction of a 'top down', or executive system, whereby policy is instituted by a Chief Minister. It argued that this would provide clear authority and accountability, fast and efficient decision making, and a more coherent corporate policy and strategy.

However, in a consultation document, the Joint Committees (which comprises the States Advisory and Finance body and the States Procedures and Constitution Committee) expressed fears that this would create something of a combative 'them and us' situation, as the majority of power would be held by a minority of States members. Instead, they proposed a more streamlined committee system.

However, the industry bodies calling for a referendum believe that the issue should be decided by the people rather than the government, arguing that the politicians are too close to the situation. 'This is not for the States. They are too involved in it - it's the proverbial turkeys voting for Christmas,' explained IoD Chairman Eifion Thomas.

Although the Guernsey authorities are attempting to gauge public opinion, and have put together a questionnaire on the subject, Mr Thomas said that the three industry groups are concerned that a MORI poll might not truly reflect the views of Guernsey residents, and that the impact of the questionnaire might be diluted if it is too wide-ranging in scope.

'If the questionnaire is five pages long, the average individual would be turned off by it and chuck it straight in the bin,' he warned.

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