Labey, the chairman of the Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC) has said that proposals to completely overhaul the makeup of the States should be lodged within the next 12 months, with a Royal Commission potentially needed to give the States a kick up the arse if they continue to resist change. Labey described the current discussions around States reform as "getting ridiculous", saying that "we can't carry on with the status quo".
Hear hear, Deputy! As the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association found not two weeks ago, our political system remains broken to the core. With three different types of members, a confusing voting system and unelected members galore, the system remains completely out of line with international standards, yet the turkeys in the States will never vote for Christmas. The current discussion around States reform is essentially based off pure self-interest - members are afraid that they'll be the ones who cop it if the system is made fairer, and that's why Labey wants to bring in a Royal Commission - a big fat inquiry authorised by Brenda herself, and, more importantly, managed by outsiders not beholden to Jersey's culture of coverup and circlejerk who won't be afraid to ask tough questions that make the gangsters that make up our ruling class uncomfortable. The fact is, no-one wants to bring in the big guns from the UK, but if the States continues to fight any kind of democratic reform, there won't be any other option. If we want to keep calling ourselves a democracy (as opposed to the oligarchy we so transparently are), there are certain standards we have to meet. If the local ruling class refuses to grant us even that, then clearly outside intervention is needed.
No-one wants it, but we might just need it.
Let's hope not.
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