Jersey politicians vote to cut the length of speeches
- Published
Members voted to limit speeches to 15 minutes
Jersey politicians have narrowly agreed to limit the length of their speeches in the States Chamber.
After a debate taking more than two hours, members voted 23 in favour to 22 against and one abstaining.
Members rejected a plan to set time limits of 30 minutes on opening speeches and responses of 15 minutes.
The committee responsible for States procedures will need to bring a more detailed proposition for members to vote on in the future.
During the debate, Senator Ben Shenton reminded members that long speeches cost the public money.
He said: "With regards to cost, the actual cost of sitting in this chamber works out at 拢1,800 per hour.
"A three-hour speech will cost about 拢6,000 to the taxpayer and questions cost around 拢200,000 as we go on a written question.
"I know many members don't think there is a cost to democracy but there is a cost and it is a substantial cost."
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