Guernsey Democracy

If Guernsey was part of the UK political process we might just about get our own MP.
 
Yes, just the one person to represent us in parliament. One for all of us - if we’re lucky.
 
As it is, we have 45 Peoples Deputies. One for every 1466 citizens or there about.
 
That gives us a great chance at achieving some real democracy doesn’t it?
 
Do the deputies for your region actually ask you about anything before they vote? When was the last time you saw your deputy on your doorstep - oh, that’s right, just before the last election.
 
Well, that’s an improvement on the UK, you might say.
 
Is it?
 
We’ve recently had a deputy calling for a judicial review to vindicate her position. Is this in the voter’s interests? How many of her constituents were in favour of her actions?
 
Ah yes, but this is an Island wide thing. Let’s look at the wider support.
 
Well, if we need to do that, then perhaps we need Island wide voting after all.
 
But that would be a popularity contest. Where is the good old Guernsey personal touch? I want to be able to phone up my deputy.
 
Nothing to stop you phoning up any deputy and when hasn’t it been a popularity contest?
 
I want to vote for the people I want to vote for. The one’s I think are doing a good job. The one’s who most likely represent my viewpoint, whether it’s right or wrong.
 
I don’t want a choice of several parochial no-hopers or stuck in the muds seeking re-election. Invariably, it comes down to voting for the one’s I least dislike or not voting at all. No wonder the registered electorate is so low.
 
Ah, but if you bring in Island wide voting it will be the thin end of the wedge. We’ll end up with political parties.
 
And what’s wrong with that?
 
Why not have groups of candidates who represent similar viewpoints? At least they can make decisions.
 
At the moment we have a 45 strong committee which can only just about agree on raising their own pay and pensions.
 
Any large committee works by compromise and ends up with a less than optimal solution. They start out to design a horse and end up with a camel.
 
And at least with a party we’d have a reasonable idea about their attitude to most subjects. 

As it is, I might vote for candidate A because he shares my views on XYZ but not for candidate B although she shares my views on ABC. More than likely I’ll only know the candidate’s views on the matters they chose to share with us, until of course they change their minds once elected.
 
There has been talk of reducing the number of deputies. Why not just bring in Island wide voting and see how many votes each candidate gets.
 
Then start filling seats from the top down until all of the seats are filled or there aren’t enough seats left for the next tranche who all got the same number of votes.
 
That way, all votes count equally and we can really see just what support our representatives have.
 
But it would be impractical. Think of the ballot papers. We could have 60 or so candidates if not more.
 
So?
 
Many third world countries manage, so why couldn’t we? Are you saying that the people who vote for you are too thick to work out who to vote for?
 
Give everyone say five votes and see what happens.
 
But I couldn’t possibly get my message out to the whole Island. I’d have to rely on the media, and we know how biased they can be.
 
Use modern technology. Call public meetings. Do whatever you want to get your message across. If you want to get elected then you will find a way to connect with your voters.
 
Then stay connected. Don’t wait for four years to pass. Keep in touch and if you do a good job guess what? People will be engaged with you and want to vote for you. Job done!
 
We might then also get a crack at proper democracy with deputies actually seeking our viewpoints before deciding for us.
 
Anyone got a better suggestion?