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STATES OF JERSEY
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COMPOSITION OF THE STATES: REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF SENATORS – REFERENDUM (P.198/2010) – AMENDMENT
Lodged au Greffe on 11th January 2011 by Senator A. Breckon
STATES GREFFE
2010 Price code: A P.198 Amd.
COMPOSITION OF THE STATES: REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF SENATORS – REFERENDUM (P.198/2010) – AMENDMENT
1 PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (a) –
After the words "Senators in the States" insert the words "and in relation to the position of the Connétable s as members of the States".
2 PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (b) –
For the word "question" substitute the word "questions" and insert a new question as follows –
2. "Do you think that the 12 Parish Connétable s should have an automatic seat in the States Assembly by virtue of their office?
YES NO "
SENATOR A. BRECKON
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P.198/2010 Amd.
REPORT
From my memory, I understand that 2 "public polls" have been conducted into who should be Members of the States, the first was as part of the "Review of Machinery of Government" known as the "Clothier Report." In around 1998, this came out slightly in favour of retaining the Connétable s in the States; however, it was only a marginal result.
I believe that the second "public poll" was conducted by MORI for the Privileges and Procedures Committee, in 2006 and the results are set out below.
Constables
Just over half (54%) of residents think that parish constables should remain as States members. Opinion over the future of Constables appears to be strongly held and polarised; residents are more likely to strongly agree or disagree than tend to agree or disagree. Two in five (21%) strongly disagree they should remain while 30% strongly agree that they should. This is clearly a controversial issue about which Jersey residents are currently divided.
Chart 23 – Parish constables
Q To what extent do you agree or disagree that Parish Constables should remain
as members of the States?
Don't know/No opinion
7%
Strongly agree Strongly disagree 21% 30%
14% Net agree = +19 Tend to disagree
5% 24%
Tend to agree
Neither/nor
Base: 1,295 Jersey residents aged 18+, interviewed by telephone, 20 July – 24 September 2006 Source: Ipsos MORI
As Senator Cohen is proposing a Referendum, the object of my Amendment is to link up with this, to add another question to test the feeling of the public as to whether the Connétable s should have a seat in the States by virtue of their office.
Financial and manpower implications
I do not believe it will add anything to the costs that Senator Cohen has already stated.
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P.198/2010 Amd.