THE public will be able to veto the States’ decision on reforming the House in a referendum this year.

St Clement Constable Derek Gray, who is leading the reform efforts as chairman of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, says that if enough people say no to the proposals, they will be dropped. The question of what combination of Constables, Senators, Deputies, general elections and super-constituencies should provide the make-up of the House returns in earnest next week. Leaflets are being sent to all Island households, all 53 States Members will hold an initial ‘in-committee’ debate at the States sitting that starts on Tuesday and a series of public meetings will also be held. Mr Gray said that the results of the consultation exercise will help the committee decide which of five proposed models for reform they should take to the States, but that once the States make a decision it will be referred to the public in Jersey’s first referendum.