Consultation launched into future of election

People in Alderney have been asked to consider the future of an election to choose the island's States of Guernsey representatives.

A consultation from the States of Alderney has been launched to review the plebiscite election held every two years since 2006.

The government said the vote had been set up as a trial with a review planned in 2007, but this did not take place and it had "continued informally" without being established in law.

It added people could share views on whether to keep the election or revert to the previous system set out in law in 1978 - where representatives were selected from all States members - before the consultation closed on 13 March.

Jeannie Cameron, chairwoman of the Policy & Finance Committee and Political Lead for Government Reform, said the argument for continuing the plebiscite was the emphasis on the "benefits of direct democracy, enhanced public accountability and the mandate provided to elected representatives".

She added there could be concern for persistently low voter turnout for the separate election, duplication of responsibility, the informal legal standing and the financial implications of maintaining a non-statutory process every two years.

Cameron said: "The States considers meaningful public engagement on the future of the plebiscite essential before bringing forward any proposals for change."

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