‘Say no to GST’ red ribbon campaign gets resurrected
A LOCAL shop is resurrecting the red ribbon campaign that became a symbol of opposition to the introduction of a goods and services tax earlier in the year, as the States prepares to debate Policy & Resources’ GST proposals again next month.
Eleven, a retail outlet based in the Arcade, started handing out the ribbons to customers earlier this week, with plans to advertise their availability on social media.
Shop owner Anna De Lisle said that customers she had spoken to had been ‘very supportive’ of the move.
‘Most islanders are fed up with the waste of time, money and resources into the second GST funding and now further borrowing debate.’
‘They were clear then and they are clear in their message now – no to GST.
'No to further borrowing. No to wasteful spending.’
She planned to distribute the ribbons to Eleven’s sister shop Encore, based in the Pollet, and to other businesses and people who expressed an interest.
‘I’ve got a background in finance and have now run this shop for 10 years, so I feel like I know the local community well.
‘Time is precious.
‘So is the hard work and effort made by islanders to keep this island unique and special and they want it that way for their children.’
Mrs De Lisle’s husband, deputy David, echoed his wife’s sentiments, saying that the introduction of GST would damage businesses and suffocate economic growth.
‘Say no to GST and restrain further borrowing.
‘The Guernsey way has always been to live within our means.’
Deputy Carl Meerveld, one of the other major proponents of the anti-GST movement in the States, confirmed his support for the ribbons.
He said that he would be writing articles about the proposals and re-engaging with the movement.
He also said that he would attend any future anti-GST demonstration.
However, he was concerned that any lower turnout to a future rally, in comparison with the thousands that marched in January, would be used against the movement.
‘I think a lot of islanders rightly assume the debate on GST is over, the people have spoken already, and so they won’t feel the need to march again.
‘If a second campaign doesn’t get the same turnout, I fear that it will be used politically as false evidence that opposition to GST is decreasing, when actually I think it’s still increasing.
‘The vote back in January was overwhelming, the island does not want GST, and it’s time Policy & Resources started listening.’
