26 February 2013

Meet the 'A Team'


A campaign group called The A Team has been formed to vigorously promote “Option A” in the forthcoming referendum on constitutional reform, recommended by the Electoral Commission and endorsed by The States of Jersey last week when approving the Act establishing the Referendum.


Under Reform Option A: Parish Constables will no longer be members of the States; there will be 42 States members known as Deputies; there will be six large districts, each choosing seven Deputies.

 'Constables for the Parishes. Deputies for the States.'

Under Option A, Constables will still be elected to lead their parish and will be able to put all their efforts into their parish role, rather than being obliged to split their time between the parish and the increasingly demanding work of a States member,” said Christine Vibert, the group’s secretary and spokesman. “It means that someone who wants to stand as Connétable to serve the parish is not forced to be a States Member if they don’t want to be. They can also stand for election as a Deputy at the General Election, but the choice is theirs.”
The campaigners believe that Option A is simple and clear. It has many benefits and in particular it:


is the most democratic of the three options

can increase voter participation

can reinvigorate parish life


We are very enthusiastic about the potential that Option A has to re-energise Jersey politics and resolve the democratic deficit that exists in our current system. We would like to hear from fellow supporters who would like to join The A Team.”

Anyone interested in joining and/or helping The A Team is asked to contact Christine Vibert christine@theATeam.org.je or telephone /text 07797 732558.


The referendum will be held on Wednesday 24th April. The last day to register for the electoral roll in your parish is noon on Wednesday 3rd April.

9 comments:

  1. Amazing how you want B and Sean Power wants A when you are both supposed to be representing the same people!

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  2. I'm going to vote option A. I want Jersey to be a good, positive and fair society and this is the best way forward.

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  3. Nice one!

    I would suggest that you look out for the JEP wits calling you Howling Mad Montfort, but that's to suggest that the JEP have any wits...

    I'm in for Option A.

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  4. It's the other way around. I am supporting A. I gather Sean if for B. Nothing wrong with that. It's democracy. Sean and I work constructively on issues that affect our district and constituents, even though our personal politics may differ. It's called bi-partisanship

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  5. Of course everyone is welcome to their opinion but can you tell me...
    Q: How will it reinvigorate Parish life when A) there is no Parish Constable in the States (except those that might stand as deputy should option A be chosen) and B) as a parishioner of St. Saviour I dont want to be linked or have joint decisions be made with Trinity?

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  6. Thank you for the question. It is a good one. The first thing to say is that, currently, the 'health' of parish democracy is currently in a critical condition. Turn out at parish assemblies, even on important matters such as the setting of the rates, is very low. In St Brelade, for example, such a meeting will attract perhaps 50 people at most, from a voting population of 8, 000 plus). The last time a contested Centenier's election took place in St Lawrence, the turnout was around 6%). This is the current state of things with Constables in the States.

    Contrary to how it may have been in the past, being a States Member nowadays is a full time job. If the numbers are further reduced to 42, there will be more work for fewer members. So, there would be even more work for the Constables, were they to remain in the States. This would likely lead to them spending even less time in the parishes.

    However, were they not obliged to attend the States, as they are currently, they could and, I believe would, be able to focus their full attention to parish matters.

    Remember, the parishes exist separate to the States Assembly. Members there act and legislate for the whole island, in what is effectively a 'national parliament.' The existence and legitimacy of the parishes do not dependent on Constables being in the States.

    Now regarding the argument of 'joining' parishes together, I would say 3 things: firstly, when voting for Senators, presently, St Saviour is joined with Trinity - and with 10 other parishes. YOU do not get to choose EXCLUSIVELY as a parish, who the Senators are, but as an individual, you still get your say.

    Secondly, you would only be linked together for the purposes of electing members to the States (effectively in 'mini-senatorial' style). You would still vote at the normal polling station. The parish vote would still be counted, and the aggregates combined.

    This would not affect your parishes autonomy, as the Parish would still be in charge of its own municipal services, and honorary police force, as at present. With a full time Constable, elected SOLELY to do that job.

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  7. Hi Deputy.

    Just put up Questions without Answers from this morning, You & your readers can Listen HERE

    TJW.

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  8. Hi Deputy.

    Here's Two Speeches from today's Debate Think they sum up the two camps, the ones that actually want the COI & the ones that want to carry on the Cover Up to save there own back's or there friends?

    You & your reader's can make up there own minds to who is on which side of the fence! HERE But should I say one is a Constable so says it all really.

    TJW.

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  9. Hi Deputy.

    Put up the Audio of the whole COI Debate, so its there for anyone to listen too in the years to come. You & your reader's can listen to it HERE

    I can't get over the Dean of Jersey is as bad as a Abuser of Children & he Spock in this Debate. Un Bloody Believable.

    TJW.

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