Should good news not be news at all?
WHEN good news eventually becomes the story, how much are we permitted to celebrate?
Moneyval was an important process for the island. A test, an examination if you will, that we had to pass. An old-fashioned O-level or GCSE grade C would do just fine.
As long as Moneyval didn’t want to put us in enhanced follow-up, then that would work just fine for us.
But while a C works, it’s much more important for the island as an international finance centre than it would be for a global European superpower. If they fail Moneyval, few will notice or care. If we failed – it could be game over.
So then how much are we entitled to celebrate? Can ‘business as usual’ properly be the story?
‘The results confirm what we’ve been saying for the past 15 years (and making ourselves hoarse in the process),’ said Guernsey Press columnist Dr Andy Sloan on social media.
‘Guernsey is a well-regulated, tax transparent jurisdiction. Move along.’
There’s the old adage about repeating messages until you’re bored of them. And then repeating them some more. ‘Guernsey is well-regulated and tax transparent.’ That’s all our critics need to know. But it will never be enough.
So can we allow ourselves a little pat on the back? A moment in the sun? And if no news is good news, then should good news not be news?