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.