This September, the Guernsey branch of the Institute of Directors (IoD) will host what promises to be a lively debate between the lobby groups representing three different methods of electing Deputies to the States of Deliberation.
The breakfast event on 14 September, sponsored by Heritage Insurance, will allow lobbyists from Options A, B and C to each represent their arguments for and against the different voting methods which islanders will be choosing in October.
A short talk by each group will be followed by a question and answer session.
The debate will be the only one of its kind organised by and for the business community and the audience will have a unique opportunity to question the three lobby groups directly about the long-term consequences of the different proposed voting systems.
Chairman of the local IoD branch, John Clacy, comments: “Any change in the way we elect our Deputies is likely to have a long-term impact on the island’s political landscape, which may increase the coordination between and catalyse the creation of political parties.
“The IoD has been pressing for some time for changes in how our government is run and this referendum could be seen as a first step towards more far reaching political reform.
“The outcome of the vote will impact us all and so it is critical that the public turnout for the vote is over 40% so that any change has the mandate of the Electorate. All islanders should understand the implications of the different voting choices and should be actively engaging with this process. To assist, this event has not been restricted to just IoD members and we urge the wider public to come along.”
The referendum is multi-option, and the results of the poll will only be implemented if there is a turnout of 40% of the island’s registered voters.
The cut-off date for registering to vote is 5 October 2018.
Liz Dene, Lead Referendum Officer, will be on hand to answer any questions about the voting process and will also be able to issue postal vote registrations. Attendees who wish to register for a postal vote should bring photographic identification with them.
The debate follows the IoD’s last breakfast event, which saw Deputy Peter Roffey, President of the States Assembly & Constitution Committee, outline the political background to the referendum, and Liz Dene, Lead Referendum Officer, who spoke about the practical aspects of running the poll and how it will work.
Tickets cost £12.50 for IoD members and £17.50 for non members. For more information visit www.iod.gg.
