Helyar steps back from the party he founded
THE political leader and founder member of the Guernsey Party has stepped back from it.
Deputy Mark Helyar announced yesterday that he was ‘withdrawing’ from membership of the party ‘for the foreseeable future’, but might be prepared to rejoin in due course.
Deputy Helyar will continue to serve in the States as an independent deputy.
He would not speak further to the Guernsey Press yesterday but his announcement, made yesterday through Facebook, was reposted as news on the party’s website.
It seems very likely that the move is linked to Deputy Helyar’s involvement in the tax review debate and potential introduction of a goods and services tax, which will come to a head at the end of November and run into January, when it is expected to be debated.
He entered the States at the 2020 election standing on a platform of ‘fiscal prudence’ and ‘low taxation’ and prioritising the economy.
But less than a year later he was fronting the proposed introduction of a goods and services tax or an increase in income tax.
In his manifesto he said: ‘We face a rapidly-growing elderly population, sharply declining birth rate and demand for current and future public services, which we can’t afford.
‘This is resulting in calls for higher taxation, which can only drive us towards long term decline. I believe if we start down the path to higher taxation we will see business opportunity reduce and costs rise in all areas.’
The Guernsey Party issued a brief statement yesterday announcing Deputy Helyar’s departure.
‘Deputy Helyar was a founder member of the party and we thank him for his contribution since its inception.
‘He leaves with the very best wishes of the party.’
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