An online petition has been set up by former Senator Jim Perchard calling for the public to have their say on whether the Bailiff should be replaced in the Chamber with an elected speaker.
Earlier this year, States Members opted not to hold a referendum on the matter – overturning a decision made by the previous Assembly.
The role of the Bailiff has come under criticism for several decades, with a string of high-level reports recommending that the Bailiff – who acts as both the President of the law-making States and the head of the law-interpreting judiciary – should be replaced with an elected speaker.
Now, Mr Perchard has called on Islanders to back a referendum on the issue.
The e-petition states: ‘It was wrong for the States Assembly to overturn its previous decision to hold a referendum on the future role of the Bailiff as President of the States Assembly.
‘I and many others believe this is a constitutional decision that will have serious detrimental impact on the position and standing of our Island’s first citizen. Any decision on the historical and future role of our Bailiff should not be taken by any one States Assembly.’
