Fuel and road taxes at odds with agreed vision
ONLY two generations ago the post of deputy was filled by local successful businessmen, in their own time, who were volunteers. They had the best interests of the island and the local Guernseyman at heart. They knew that to run a successful business, the same as running a successful household, your income needs to outweigh expenditure. These men knew their tomatoes and Guernsey was a thriving community with money in the bank.
I mentioned to my wife that maybe deputies shouldn't be paid, as that would certainly save the States money, to which she promptly replied, 'But then nobody would do the job?' She of course was quite right, but that just proved my point.
How many deputies care enough about the wellbeing of the island and the local population that they would volunteer their services out of working hours?
How often do they keep in touch with the people who voted them in?
If the answer to these questions is 'I care a lot, yes I would' and 'frequently', then I take my hat off to them and they would receive my vote every time.
However, if the answers are 'not a chance, I don't care that much, I would be too busy' and 'I don't think I ever have', then maybe they are not the right person for the job and do they not think the people who have voted for them may feel used, as once they have voted them in they do not need them any more or value their opinion, discarded like an empty crisp packet.
I appreciate it is a difficult job to run a business as large as the States of Guernsey and many difficult decisions have to be made, not all of which are welcomed by everybody. That being said, I would like to respectfully remind all the deputies on the board, it wasn't so long ago that they were driving/cycling/walking around their respective parishes with their manifestos, convincing the Guernsey public to vote for them.
What has prompted me to write this letter is the Transport Strategy specifically, which is one of the items up for debate.
While they are all sitting around the boardroom table making decisions that will have a serious impact on the local population, please bear in mind that if it wasn't for the Guernseymen that voted for them, they wouldn't be sitting where they are now. Also think to yourselves, 'would Bill or Jean have voted for me if they knew what I am about to do?' If the answer to that question is 'no', then maybe they are making the wrong decision.
The strategy supported by the States in May 2014 seeks to work towards the agreed vision:
'To facilitate safe, convenient, accessible and affordable travel options for all the community, which are time and energy efficient, enhance health and the environment and minimise pollution.'
Precisely how is increasing the tax on petrol by 5.5p and diesel by 7.5p as well as reintroducing vehicle road tax going to achieve this?
I am guessing their answer will be 'all the funds raised will be used for improving safety on the roads, road conditions, to help subsidise the bus service' and so on.
Really? I don't believe that for a second. Over the last few years there have been many mistakes and overspends which nobody in the States seems to be accountable for. If there weren't so many overspends then maybe Guernsey wouldn't be in the dire financial position it finds itself in today. Maybe Treasury and Resources should buy a new purse with not so many holes in it.
All that increasing the price of fuel and bringing back road tax is going to do is penalise business road users significantly, particularly the likes of taxis and private hire coaches, which, I hasten to add, are public service vehicles.
Whereas a private car might only do 3-5,000 miles a year, it is compulsory for a taxi to do a minimum of 25,000 miles a year. Who is going to cover the increased cost of fuel and road tax? Of course, the customer.
Do they not think the price of public transport (buses excepted) is high enough? Surely they would want to keep the price of public transport down to encourage private road users out of their cars. That would certainly reduce congestion at peak times. Maybe I could suggest duty-free fuel for all public service vehicles. Let's be honest, they are governed by the States anyway.
The way I see it is what they propose totally goes against the agreed vision they supported to work towards in May 2014. I see it as an illegitimate way of raising funds.
My grandfather (who was a deputy, voluntarily by the way) would be turning in his grave if he could see the state of the island today. He was proud to be a Guernseyman and loved this island dearly.
Don't make any decisions that will be regretted in the future. Remember our children and grandchildren have to grow up in this island.
SIMON REBSTEIN,
Les Charmilles,
Rue Sauvage,
St Sampson's.
