Guernsey by-election approved despite concerns

Funding of a by-election has been approved despite concerns about the costs involved for a post that will only last four months.

The £51,100 for the by-election in the St Peter Port North district is a fifth of the cost of a general election.

The money for the poll on 2 December was approved by a vote of 32-10 in the States of Guernsey.

The vacant position in the States follows the death of Deputy Martin Storey in July.

Deputy Lester Queripel said including wages for the four months up to the general election in April took the cost to more than £63,000.

"I can't possibly support a proposal to spend that amount of taxpayers' money to put a deputy in office for a mere four months.

"I don't think that will be using taxpayers' money wisely, especially when we will be dispensing with that seat at the next election."

The number of deputies is being reduced from 45 to 38 at the next election.

Deputy Elis Bebb said: "Under the current construct of the States obviously St Peter Port North should have seven members and we are missing one.

"It's inappropriate to be talking of someone who has passed away... to be thinking of his salary as a saving.

"The idea that this assembly has a set of laws that we disregard while we demand every other member of this island to abide by is farcical.

"The idea that we would not uphold the law by not having a by-election would simply bring this house into such great disrepute on an international scale that I cannot imagine it."

Under the Reform Law by-elections have to be held for seats that become vacant before 1 December in the year before a general election is held.