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Ian Tugby: "Bring back 10 member Policy Committee"

States member Ian Tugby has launched a bid for a return to the system which saw all 10 politicians in the Policy Committee.

He has placed a requete in the September Billet advocating a return to the system that existed before the last election.

Ray Berry, Steve Roberts and Chris Rowley have also signed up to the motion.

The Policy Committee currently consists of only the chairman of committees, plus Francis Simonet as its leader.

Mr Tugby said that under the new arrangement those not in the group were often left in the dark about important matters. He said he hoped it would help add balance to the meetings.

"We used to have disagreements but nothing like what is going on at the moment," he said. "I think it would calm matters down dramatically and be fairer."

Any States Member can sit in on a Policy Committee meeting but they are not able to speak at it. "In my book that doesn't work,' said Mr Tugby. "You can't go to a Policy Committee and not have your say. They can be carrying on about something they know nothing about, and you can't say anything. It's ridiculous."

A States member is allowed to bring a requete before the States if is signed by four people. Chris Rowley said a 10-member Policy Committee would dilute the influence of any one person. "It would make it less likely that one person could dominate the argument and control what happens," he said. "With 10 people you get a more representative view of a situation."

The introduction of a five member Policy Committee came shortly after elections took place last year. One of the system's architects, Paul Arditti, argued it would lead to more decision making in public in front of the full States.

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