Jersey islanders will not get a vote on States reform

States members have already voted to reduce Senators from 12 to eight

Plans to reduce the number of political representatives in Jersey will not be put to public in a referendum.

The States of Jersey has already agreed in principle to cut the number of Senators in the House from 12 to eight.

Senator Freddie Cohen wanted that issue put to a referendum, but he was defeated by ten votes in the States.

He said: "In no way can the proposal to reduce the number of Senators from 12 to 8 be regarded as improving democracy."

Deputy Judy Martin said the referendum was a last-minute attempt to keep the number of senators at twelve, even though the States had already agreed to reduce it.

Senator Cohen said: "There have been all sorts of odd accusations about a secret agenda, let me assure members there is no secret agenda behind my proposition."