We must not become ‘the place that likes to say no’

Comedians Matt Lucas and David Walliams then developed a catchphrase, which became something of a meme, with ‘computer says no’.

Sadly it seems that Guernsey today tends to lean towards the latter course of action than the former.

The visit of British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland last weekend has been mired in controversy. The whole episode has raised many more questions than answers, while the social media reaction has been at least four-to-one against.

Some say that the visit has been against the spirit of #GuernseyTogether. Others claim that Mr Gatland’s weekend was clearly a risk to health and unfair on the hundreds of islanders and families who have been prevented over the past year from taking what they would consider to be essential travel.

Undoubtedly the arguments have merit. The States would say that the episode has been a difficult one for them to judge, and possibly even more challenging to handle.

Clearly some – even within the States and Public Health – were less than confident about the approach taken and even more so as more details have started to eke out over the past few days.

Frankly, only Mr Gatland really knows what he and his squad might do if and when they reach our shores. The promise of an economic shot in the arm seems hopeful rather than guaranteed.

Armed with better information, our authorities can make stronger and better decisions and aim to communicate them more effectively.

But when it comes to allowing Mr Gatland to visit last weekend, and to considering both the downside and the upside of a potential Lions trip in June, we should be assured that this was a properly-judged decision to a potentially worthwhile end.

Let us not become the island which routinely ‘likes to say no’.