Could Constables be replaced in the next election?

A new idea introduced to the debate on the return of senators to Jersey politics could see constables gone from the States Assembly.

The amendment, lodged by Reform Jersey's Deputy Tom Coles, would like to see 12 senators replacing the 12 constables.

Deputy Elaine Millar proposed the original idea, which suggests nine deputy seats are turned into senators.

The Treasury Minister believes the 'fairest system of all' is having people elected by everybody in the island, who everybody can vote for.

This means there would be a three-tier system, returning to the structure of the Assembly before 2022.

READ: Could senators make a political comeback in 2026?

Deputy Coles wants to avoid making the voting system more complex by introducing too many positions, which Reform Jersey deems 'unpopular'.

His idea would see islanders vote for 12 politicians on an island-wide mandate, along with the district deputies with more knowledge on their specific patches within the parishes.

"[It's] wasting States Members and Assembly time [by] debating something for the third time which has been defeated twice before.

"I personally think it's a little bit ridiculous that we're wasting our time by doing this, but if we are going to do it, we need to do it in the most fair and democratic way."

Deputies would continue to be elected in proportion to population density and constables would still be the head of their parishes, just not States Members.

Reform Jersey believes constables can focus on their parish duties or be elected to the States through other means.

Credit: States Assembly

Party Leader Sam Mezec believes 'deforming' the voting system back to what was created in the 1940s is a 'waste of States Members' time.

He says if islanders desperately want senators back, it should be done by replacing the constables.

"This is the fairest, simplest and most equitable way of doing it.

"But a return to the ridiculous three-tier system that everyone seemed to hate before it was abolished in 2022 is a step backwards that does nothing positive for our democracy.

"If there is going to be an insistence that we re-introduce island-wide voting into our electoral system, we should at least do it properly."

Reform Jersey would also like to see a Boundary Commission set up to stop politicians 'tinkering' with the electoral system without being fully informed.

"This would avoid partisan gerrymandering and ensure changes are made on the basis of evidence rather than political opportunism."

Deputy Sam Mezec says States Members can read independent and objective analyses of Jersey's electoral system before voting on any changes to legislation.

"This will enable States Members to make an informed decision on what impact any proposed changes may have on the rights to equal suffrage for Islanders, rather than relying on inaccurate suppositions."