Next steps following debate about re-instatement of Senators
States Assembly
25 March 2025
Following the decision of the States Assembly last week regarding the re-instatement of Senators, there are several steps which will now be undertaken to allow the proposition to be enacted in time for the 2026 Election.Under the terms of Deputy Elaine Millar’s proposition, which was approved by 25 votes to 20 last Thursday, there will be nine Senators voted for on an Island-wide basis, with one Deputy being removed from each of the nine existing constituencies. The 12 Parish Constable seats remain unchanged.
The Law to re-instate Senators will be written by the Legislative Drafting Office. Once completed, the Law will be brought before the States Assembly, by the Privileges and Procedures Committee, for debate and final approval. Members will be entitled to bring amendments to the Law, also for debate by the Assembly.
If approved by Members, the Law will be sent to the Privy Council for sign-off and will return to the Assembly for an Appointed Day Act to set a date on which the Law would come into effect.
The Assembly is due to reconvene next week (1 April) where the date for the 2026 Election is expected to be set. The Privileges and Procedures Committee has lodged a proposition that the Election be held on 7 June 2026, at which all 49 seats will be decided. An amendment to the Draft Elections (Appointed Day) Act has been tabled by Deputy Kristina Moore, which requests an alternative Election date of Sunday 26 April 2026.
