From Brian Hotton.
IS it not refreshing to read the comments of Senator-elect Ian Le Marquand (JEP, 18 October)?

For far too long we have had States Members who do not have the ability which is required for the position they hold. One, two or even a few would not be able to obtain a position in the private sector that would demand a salary half of what States Members are paid at the moment. I do not mean just backbenchers, there are ministers that this would apply to also.

The reason for this, I believe, is the fault of how our States Members are elected and the set-up of the States Assembly.
Having three different categories of States Members is problematic as is the number of Members. There should be one category of States Member, call them what you will. I would just call them Deputy.

Then we have to change how they are elected. Deputy Roy Le Hérissier tried unsuccessfully with six large constituencies (districts). The reason for his failure was simply that the majority preferred the status quo, as they knew this was the easiest way to secure a seat in the States.

I would go even further: I would divide the Island into four areas. However, these four districts should not be limited to the vote of the constituents of the district. Every one, no matter where they reside should have the ability to vote for all the candidates, no different in practice to the way we vote for Senators.

Why should a candidate be allowed to sit in the States with a few hundred votes? An all-Island vote would put a stop to that.
Incidentally, I will disagree with Ian Le Marquand when he says there is no one in the States that could take on the role of Chief Minister, as I believe that both he and Roy Le Hérissier have the intellectual and analytical ability to carry out that role.

There is no place for politicians of restricted capabilities, however, seeing the way the States have voted in the past I would not be surprised to see a Chief Minister with ‘restricted capabilities’, merely so they can be a ‘tool’ of ministers of ‘self interest’.

There will, of course, be people who are critical of what I have written, which is their right. However, when they criticise what I have written please do not cite ‘well that is not the way they do it in the UK, Guernsey … or anywhere else for that matter’. No it is not, but we are Jersey, a small Island which we are told is a global finance centre and the Island needs to change the way it elects its politicians to sort out the wheat from the chaff.

Finally, there is shortly going to be a group meeting to decide the salaries and expenses of our politicians. This group should remember what financial advisers tell investors. Returns can go down as well as up and so should the salaries of some of the Council of Ministers.
66 Stopford Road,
St Helier.