Archives for February 2011

Jersey and Guernsey are very similar in a number of ways.

They both had strong agricultural industries, they both had strong tourism industries and they now both have strong finance industries.

They were both occupied by Nazi Germany during WWII and they are both famous for their cows and knitwear.

But there are also a number of differences and a strong rivalry.

One recent difference is in politics and how the people are represented.

Guernsey currently has one type of member, a Deputy, elected in small constituencies for a four year term.

But the States of Guernsey are currently looking at reform and with it, bringing back the island-wide vote.

At the same time the States of Jersey has voted to reduce the island-wide vote, going from 12 to eight Senatorial seats in the States chamber.

Adrian Lee, a political analyst specialising in small island politics said this is nothing new.

"Both islands have had a similar sort of history in terms of electoral form and one thing in common is that it has gone on in both for a very long time."

Although Guernsey is looking at bringing back the island wide vote, there is no guarantee it will actually happen or which form it will take.

Adrian Lee said: "What is happening in Guernsey at the moment is that they are still debating."

"The likely outcome may well be simply a vote on the status quo because it is too complicated to change."

One option Guernsey is looking at, and something suggested in Jersey, is a fully island-wide chamber.

But Adrian Lee said this would probably be unworkable, it is likely there could be hundreds of names to pick from on the ballot paper.

"The people that came nearest to it was Sark in their all island election a couple of years ago.

"They had 28 Conseillers to be elected and on that occasion there were over 60 candidates on the ballot paper."

Mr Lee said that the more names you have on the ballot paper the more chance you have of some names being picked at random by voters.

"If you look at the problems of having 100 plus on the ballot paper you get donkey voting.

"Where people pick out their main choices and then start to pick out their other votes at random.

"It is not really workable quite frankly."

Keeping to the similarities, when political reform is mentioned in Jersey one name comes up over and over again.

In 2000 Sir Cecil Clothier submitted a report into the machinery of government in Jersey and made a number of recommendations, among them a single time of elected office.

Adrian Lee said the current system that Guernsey is looking to change is very similar to the one recommended for Jersey by Clothier.

"Funnily enough Clothier suggested a system for Jersey that is very like the system Guernsey adopted.

"But there is still this rumble going on with significant numbers of people wanting all island voting."

Jersey would appear to be moving in a different direction, in fact moving towards the constituency based system and away from the all island vote.

But, even after two votes by the States of Jersey to reduce the number of Senators, there are new proposals to rescind that change.

Adrian Lee said: "The dispute has been going on for a very long time but the problem with the composite assembly is that there is always a block against which ever specific reform is proposed."

A number of people are planning on coming to Jersey for the weekend of the Royal wedding.

British Airways have said that the island is one of its most popular destinations so far in April.

It is up there with Cancun, New York, Las Vegas, the Maldives, Venice and Dubrovnik.

Jersey's Director of Tourism, David De Cartert, said it is great news for the island.

"We had good growth last year from the French market and that is all short breaks.

"Otherwise it is the UK, with Gatwick nine or ten flights a day in each direction, we have got great capacity there."

But what is there for them to do when they get here?

Well there is always shopping, whether in the big UK chain stores, small local boutiques in the high street or by walking around Liberty Wharf.

Then there is the food, Jersey has two Michelin star restaurants, award winning local produce and a wealth of places to dine out.

And of course the beach.

At the end of April 2010 the daily temperature reached a peak of 26C with overnight temperatures still in the low teens with little rain recorded in the second half of the month.

So, a walk on one of Jersey's beaches, regarded as some of the best in the world, isn't out of the question.

What about a walk or a cycle?

Already listed on the Jersey Tourism website are more than a dozen events including an ale trail, a maritime meander and a weekend cycle.

Or if you prefer something more 'organised', there is golf at Wheatlands, the Jersey boat show or the Jersey Kart and Motor Club.

But what about romance? Well you could sample the lunar surroundings of St Clement and walk from Seymour Tower over the sea bed, that at low tide resembles a lunar landscape.

What about soaking up some of the islands historic sites from the prehistoric mound and dolmen at La Hougue Bie to the Pallot Steam, Motor and General Museum.

Or you could just stay in your hotel room, turn on the television and watch the wedding as it happens.