St Helier backs keeping the Electoral Commission independent - 53 in support and 3 against

There was a good attendance at the Town Hall yesterday evening for a special Parish Assembly, which resulted in 53 votes being cast in favour and 3 against a resolution to support the amendments of Deputy Roy Le Herissier that would keep the Electoral Commission independent.

This result is all the more impressive as the majority of those present were there to attend for the 13 items of licensing assembly. That they arrived with no knowledge of the issue and with no preconceived ideas means that they were swayed by the power of argument.

There were eight States Members in the audience and it was noted that St Helier deputies Rod Bryans and Jackie Hilton did not vote; I think we know how they will be voting on the big day. It would have useful to have heard from them or others prepared to defend the PPC plan. I hope both will reflect and note that there was mass support for our resolution amongst those attending. What would their constituents really want? What does this meeting say about public opinion when afforded respect and allowed to express its views?

This was a successful follow up to the Parish Assembly in St Clement last week, which also produced a favorable result. Hopefully the message will get out to States Members, when they debate the issue on 6^th March, that there is significant public concern about the plan to have three States Members on the Electoral Commission and that PPC’s Projet P.5 as drafted is unacceptable. They should refuse to be railroaded by strong personalities and exercise their judgment to create an Electoral Commission that will be objective.

Here are the speeches by Deputy Roy Le Herissier and myself. We also had contributions from both authors of the Minority Report, Deputies Montfort Tadier and Judy Martin, both of whom sit on PPC, as well as a number of strong contributions from the floor.