Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I agree with the opinion piece in this week’s Sentinel (p4) – and therefore disagree with our current Governor (not, sadly, an uncommon occurrence).  If you are not allowed to know how your elected members voted on an issue then how can you make a meaningful choice at the next election?

Prior to an election candidates make lots of promises about what they will do, what they will support and what they will oppose.  For example, let’s say a candidate promises to improve healthcare on the island.  They get voted in and then spend the rest of their four-year term voting against anything that might result in improved healthcare.  But at the next election they, again, promise to support and promote healthcare.

In a developed democracy (UK, Europe, USA and most others) you can find out how your member voted on every single issue.  In the UK you consult a publication called Hansard (it’s online). If you find s/he didn’t vote the way they promised they would you can demand an explanation and, if you are not satisfied, not vote for them again.  But to do this you have to know how they voted.

It is completely against everything I understand about democracy to keep members’ votes a secret.  Secrecy in this benefits nobody except the dishonest.

Maybe one of our more honest members would like to put forward a Bill to remove the shroud of secrecy and bring democracy to our island’s governance.  Obviously not one of the ones who hides behind the veil of silence to do his or her underhand dealings; one who actually votes the way he or she promised the electorate they would.

I assume there is at least one.....