JERSEY’S political world shifted on its axis yesterday when States Members voted that their names will now be called out in order of length of service.
Following a brief but noteworthy debate, the much-criticised “roll call” proposition was adopted after a vote of 30 for and 11 against.
Issues of complexity with the “running order” of the roll call that have long plagued politicians have now been resolved in time for the 2026 election.
During the debate, chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee Karen Shenton-Stone defended the now infamous proposition which has sparked both criticism and ridicule from the public and States Members alike.
The Constable said it was the “least favourite proposition [she] had ever brought to the Assembly”.
Mrs Shenton-Stone argued that it addressed issues raised during the 2022 election, and that democratic procedure required that propositions surrounding the standing orders and States business, “no matter how trivial”, come before the Assembly.
However, Housing Minister David Warr said the proposition made him “angry”, that it constituted “navel-gazing” and it was “insanity” to have the debate.
Deputy Warr added: “I cannot believe we have spent even two minutes debating this. The outside world is looking at what Jersey is doing, and this casts us in a really bad light.”
Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf also criticised the proposition, arguing that it was “trivial” and “interesting sport”.
Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, vice-chair of the PPC, came to the proposition’s defence, saying that those who claimed not to understand it should have come to the briefing on the matter.
ROLL PLAY – the roll-call proposition explained
Much like schoolchildren, at the start of every States meeting, politicians are required to indicate if they are “présent(e)”.
Their attendance (or lack thereof) is then made a matter of public record.
Currently, Constables are called first, in order of service in that role. Deputies are then called in order of their service in that role, so time spent as a Senator does not count.
For those with the same service length, the order accords to seniority of the returning officer on the election day.
The roll call is also used for the seating plan, as Members choose their seats in that order.
Following adoption of the proposition yesterday, Constables’ names will be called out first, according to their length of service as Members of the States, followed by Deputies on the same basis, while the seating plan within the States Chamber also forms part of the proposition.
