Mass exodus is on the cards

Two items particularly stood out for me. The first was his statement that 'people are under the misapprehension that their state pension is supposed to be enough to support them through retirement. It was never intended to'. Not word perfect, but please do not think I have not clearly reflected his actual words. With one outrageous statement, he seemed to devolve himself of any future responsibility to ensure that pensions are kept at an appropriate level to support pensioners through retirement.

The second point of concern was how he explained that far too much of the tax burden was placed on the shoulders of us, the taxpayers, then 20 minutes later explained how he intended to draw even more tax from all of us, but in a different way.

Zero-10 was forced upon us but the deficit created by its introduction needs to be addressed with more imagination – Matt Fallaize did acknowledge this at the rally. Be sure, thinking that the local employed masses will just cough up will lead to more than just the well-natured but determined protest of Sunday. Sadly, it will likely result in the exodus of more people from Guernsey and a further reduction in our population. And be sure, those leaving today would likely have been the younger taxpayers of tomorrow that we so desperately need with an ageing population.

The way the protest seemed to be brushed off by the chief minister and others with a few words of general acknowledgement is reflective of some of the arrogance that appears to reside within many of our States members.

Ministers huddled, they did not mix with the crowds. They seemed to turn up, smile and shake a few close-by, well-known hands and some spoke (normal political platitudes, mostly).

Many of us were amused (bemused) by the rhetoric around how the cost of running the States had reduced in real terms over recent years as if to say 'the States has done its bit, now it is your turn'. I am sure the reduction in cost did not account for costs that have been, and are now still being, redirected directly to us, the taxpayer, such as water bills that have increased by 60% in five years, shortly refuse will be added, as well as the more direct stealth taxes such as frozen personal allowances, increases in Social Security, TRP increases and the like.

This is Guernsey, and we are peaceful, but also stubborn in nature. I have never attended a protest until now, that is how strongly I feel about the unfair approach to taxation, coupled with how strongly I am against some of the OTT capital projects that are being considered. The public online consultation for the harbour project was, again, another display of arrogance given that closed questions were asked more often than not so you had often to choose between two or three options, none of which you agreed with.

Enough is enough.

Any politician who does not give appropriate weight to the recent peaceful protest is very naïve, and yes, to use that word again, arrogant.

Name and address withheld.