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1240/5(7477)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHAIRMAN OF COMITÉ DES CONNÉTABLES BY DEPUTY T.M. PITMAN OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 5th MARCH 2013
Question
Given that the Electoral Commission stated in its final Report that if Option B was ever implemented the consequence would be greater inequality of representation for urban parishes, will the Comité des Connétable s be ensuring that this reality is made clear to all Parishioners prior to the referendum in order that people may make an informed vote for cross-island equality?
Answer
No, the Comité des Connétable s will be playing no part in the promotion of any option for reform. Whilst individual Connétable s hold different views on the reform options and will no doubt promote those as they see fit; the States decided that it was not appropriate to involve the Connétable s in the organisation of the referendum and so neither do we consider it appropriate for the Comité des Connétable s to take an active rôle.
That said, it is important that all parishioners are fully aware of the implications for the Island's government of each of the options so that they may make an informed choice when they vote and we expect the groups campaigning for the different options to ensure the full information is provided.
The Commission stated that Islanders will have to indicate whether or not the automatic right of the Constable to sit in the States is of greater importance than achieving equal representation for every voter. The Commission also made clear that if Constables were not members of the States and wished to stand for election as a Deputy that they would sit in the States as a Deputy for that district to represent the district and not their own parish. Parishioners must therefore decide if each parish should have its Constable in the States to ensure it is represented effectively and to provide the "joined up government" which the States have been promoting for a number of years.
Ultimately we must ensure the format of the States Assembly provides an effective government for this Island.