The States of Alderney, 2009  Left to right States Members: Geoffrey Sargent, Peter Allen, Liz Bennett, Colin Williams, Treasurer Kerry Hatcher-Gaudion, Chief Executive Officer David Jeremiah, States Member Richard Willmott,  Lt. Governors Representative John Richards, President Sir Norman Browse, States Members Bill Walden, Ian Tugby, Tony Llewellyn, Boyd Kelly and John Beaman.  Centre right Greffier Sarah Kelly and left Secretary Helen Williams

The Government of Alderney

The Channel Islands have never been subject to the British Parliament and have always been self-governing units under the direct rule of the Crown acting through the Privy Council. According to constitutional custom, the Crown does not interfere in Island politics, save when some vital constitutional change is necessary, and never in local affairs. Bureaucracy barely exists in the Channel Islands and least of all in Alderney. In this respect the political position of Alderney is unique in the British Commonwealth.

Constitution

Alderney is a self-governing, democratic territory and one of the principal islands of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The island is outside the EC and is also a British off-shore finance centre to the larger islands.

The United Kingdom looks after the Channel Islands in the fields of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and the Islands' association with the European Union (EU).

The States of Alderney (the Legislature) consists of a President and ten States Members.

The President chairs the monthly States Meetings and stands for election every four years.  Following the decision of Jon Kay-Mouat, Alderney's longest serving President, to retire from office in January 2002, Sir Norman Browse was elected President of the States on 19 January 2002 and has remained in office unopposed.  His current term of office ends in December 2012.

States Members hold office for a period of four years and in alternate years there is an "Ordinary" election at which five of the sitting members may offer themselves for re- election. Thus, continuity at all levels is maintained and represents a stable, experienced parliamentary body.

Routine matters of Government are performed by three Committees, Policy & Finance, General Services and Building & Development Control, which deal with all aspects of the Island's finances and day-to-day administration.

In addition, two States of Alderney Representatives are full members of the Guernsey States of Deliberation and take part in the Government of the Bailiwick with full voting rights.