P&R puts Guernsey Government reform group on ice

Plans to change Guernsey’s system of government have been put on hold by the island’s top political committee.

Policy and Resources (P&R) has set up a subcommittee to examine how states could improve their working practices.

However, P&R stated that it had been “difficult to reach consensus” and therefore put the group “on hold”.

The most recent reforms of the government system in 2016 saw the Reduction of the number of politicians from 45 to 38 and reduction of committees.

At the beginning of this legislative period, it was expected that P&R would put forward proposals for an executive government, in addition to other reforms such as a further reduction in the number of MPs.

These objectives were recently watered down after the Committee announced that it would only publish a Green Paper for debate.

P&R said the work may be revisited during this legislative session, but added that “meaningful solutions” were unlikely.

The subcommittee consisted of MPs Jonathan Le Tocq, Carl Meerveld and Liam McKenna.

P&R said it would review this decision later in the year when there was more clarity on the remaining issues.

In the United States, some hoped that this could be the crowning achievement of this legislative session and ensure that the government works better and more efficiently.

It could have been a step towards an executive or a reduction in the number of MPs.

The “challenges” the Committee faced in reaching consensus highlighted the different views within the states.

This means there is unlikely to be any debate on change this term, a disappointment for politicians who have claimed that Guernsey’s system of government would hinder reform.