The current outbreak of electoral reform stems from the findings of the CLOTHIER REPORT.
The opening paragraph of the report is as follows:
On 2nd March 1999 the States of Jersey approved a proposition to appoint a body to undertake a review of all aspects of the Machinery of Government in Jersey with the following Terms of Reference:
‘ to consider whether the present machinery of government in Jersey is appropriate to the task
of determining, co-ordinating, effecting and monitoring all States’ policies and the delivery
of all public services; including the composition, operation and effectiveness of the States’ Assembly; the composition, operation and effectiveness of the Committees of the States; the role and respective responsibilities of the States, the Committees and Departments in achieving an efficient and effective strategic and business planning and resource allocation process;
the role of the Bailiff;
the transparency, accountability and democratic responsiveness of the States’ Assembly
and Committees of the States;
and
whether the machinery of government is presently subject to checks and balances
sufficient to safeguard the public good and the rights of individuals;
but excluding
the constitutional relationship between the Bailiwick and the United Kingdom;
and
the constitutional relationship between the Bailiwick and the European Union;
and to make recommendations to the Policy and Resources Committee on how the present
machinery of government could be improved.’