 | | Inside the States of Jersey |
In what some may consider to be a surprise move, the islands Constables have put plans to the States for a single election day. The proposals would see all the Constables stand down in 2008. This would mean that the five Constables elected this year would serve less than 15 months. The Constables Committee decided this would be fine as the candidates would know the term of office before the election. The States of Jersey will now have to debate and vote on the proposals before any actual changes are made. If the proposal is accepted by the States then it will mean, although not all on the same day, the majority of States Members will have been elected in the same year. The States of Jersey is currently made up of 29 Deputies, 12 Senators and 12 Constables. Under these plans 29 Deputies, 12 Constables and 6 Senators would be elected in the same election period. So every three years 47 of the 53 members would be up for election. However, as part of the debate, the States will also consider extending the Constables term of office from three to four years. This would mean that the 12 Constables would be elected one year after the rest of the States Assembly. Over to you What do you think of the Constables being elected on the same day? Should the Senators follow suit? Have your say on States reform and the Constables. | 
