States back referendum on Assembly and voting reform

The six-person commission – made up of three people from the UK and three Islanders – will cost around £250,000. It will consult the public and propose several options for a new look States Chamber. The final choice will be decided by a referendum.

Following a lengthy debate yesterday, States Members voted by 29-18 in favour of setting up the commission, which will be in place by September with any recommendations being ready for the first full general election in 2014.

Proposer Deputy Daniel Wimberley denounced the current voting system as

‘broken’ and ‘not fit for purpose’.