JUST 20 people turned up to a meeting on changing the composition of the States last night.

The five models selected by Privileges for reforming the States, and the process of Mori polls, referendums, States debates and public meetings were roundly criticised by the small audience at St Paul’s Centre for being ill-thought through. Privileges and Procedures chairman Derek Gray began the series of meetings. Particular criticism was made of the failure to produce leaflets explaining the proposals for change which suggest different balances of Senators, Deputies, Constables and constituencies in languages other than English, or making them easier to read and understand. And questions were raised about the prospect of a referendum, and whether it would be based on the electoral roll – which Deputy Geoff Southern said was not as accurate as it should be. Deputy Southern was in the audience to explain his proposal on composition which advocates the removal of Constables and the creation of more Deputies’ seats. That proposal drew some support from audience members including Michael Haines, Tony Keogh and Emile Collins.