A NEW chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee has been selected in the States Assembly who will be responsible for bringing forward changes to the electoral system which he opposed.
Deputy Steve Ahier, a member of the PPC who was successful after being the only politician to stand for the position, said in his speech on Tuesday morning that it would be “remiss” of him not to thank former chair Constable Karen Shenton-Stone for her “diligent work” over the last three years, a comment which drew applause from States Members.
Mrs Shenton-Stone said that it was “time to let somebody else take over”, in a letter announcing her resignation last month.
Deputy Ahier will serve less than a year in the role ahead of the 2026 general election next summer.
The PPC, which is separate to Scrutiny panels, oversees the procedures, code of conduct and facilities for States Members.
The committee is also responsible for bringing forward any legislative changes to the electoral process, including the upcoming return of the role of Senator following a vote in March this year.
A Senatorial proposition is due to be debated in September, confirmed Deputy Ahier, who advised Members to be “careful” bringing amendments to the proposal due to the legislative complexities of restoring the position.
Deputy Ahier – who voted against bringing back the Islandwide mandate in March – said he did not believe “tinkering” with the electoral system would encourage more Islanders to vote, in response to a question from Deputy Kirsten Morel.
Deputy Carolyn Labey pressed the new PPC chair on how “enthusiastically” he would bring forward Senatorial changes given his previous opposition to the move.
Deputy Ahier said that after 70 years the Assembly had managed – “with concessions” – to bring in a type of general election in 2022 – in which Islanders voted for Deputies in districts and Constables – that he labelled a “great step forward”.
He said despite disagreeing with the concept of bringing back three electoral positions, the majority of States Members had voted to bring back Senators and he would “absolutely uphold democracy”.
Elsewhere in his speech, the new chair said he felt there needed to be a “fundamental change” to the e-petition system, in which Islanders can lodge petitions online which garner responses from ministers if they reach 1,000 signatures and are debated in the States if they reach 5,000, so that people felt their concerns were being addressed by politicians.
Deputy Ahier also highlighted Jersey’s dismal voter turnout, especially among young Islanders.
“We must try to encourage the youth of today to engage in the election process,” he said.
He added that while it would be “difficult to revive the enthusiasm” for elections when he was a young Islander that a “key part” of the PPC was reaching Islanders from all walks of life to ensure they get to the ballot box.
Politicians were due to vote on which Members will make up the rest of the PPC at Wednesday’s sitting.
Deputy Ahier said it would be “ill advised” to make “major changes” at this time to the make-up of the committee and indicated that he would propose to keep the current membership, although it will ultimately be up to the Assembly.
