Senator happy with vote to support parties

Senator Sam Mezec Picture: ROB CURRIE

Senator Sam Mézec, who is leader of Reform Jersey, wants the regulations that govern the States Assembly to be amended to account for political parties.

Members voted by 45 to one in favour of Senator Mézec’s proposition that the Privileges and Procedures Committee investigate amendments to the regulations, known as standing orders, by the end of 2021.

‘I brought this proposition to get the rules of the Assembly changed to reflect the fact that parties are now a part of Jersey’s political landscape, and that isn’t going to change any time soon,’ he said. ‘It is just reflecting reality.

‘This will hopefully now lead to rule changes which will enable party members to be formally registered with the States Greffe and have their work facilitated. This could include rules on how we can or can’t use States facilities for work which is connected to our party work, how we present propositions in the States Assembly, and how we are expected to conduct ourselves on committees with other party members.’

Senator Mézec said he was pleased that many Members who were not part of Reform Jersey admitted they believed party politics was likely to be the future.

The proposed changes would bring Jersey in line with the benchmarks that are recommended for democratic legislatures in the Commonwealth.

The proposition was supported by Deputy Russell Labey, chairman of the PPC, who said the aim should be to ensure that neither independent Members nor those affiliated to parties were disadvantaged. His committee would be happy to work with Senator Mézec on this matter, he added.

Constable Mike Jackson of St Brélade was the only Member to vote against the proposition.

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