Policies must address whole Bailiwick – not just Guernsey
Tomorrow, the States of Deliberation will be asked to note Guernsey’s Economic Development Strategy. There is a list of 20 actions to promote economic growth. The merits and demerits of most of these will in fact best be considered by Guernsey men and women. I, nonetheless, need to make two points:
n Last year, when Deputy Peter Ferbrache was President of the CfED, I asked him: what was Guernsey’s policy towards Alderney. Peter replied that he did not have one and countered my own question with one of his own. He asked me what Alderney’s economic policy was towards Guernsey? This short amicable exchange, in fact, reveals a fundamental problem: Guernsey’s policy, its lack of policy, or maybe simply its lack of an articulated policy towards its sister islands, clearly has significant impact. Alderney and Guernsey are in a de facto fiscal union and, if only for this reason, we both need clearly defined frameworks – each for supporting the other. Arguably, Alderney needs this support more than does Guernsey, but nonetheless, if we are to have a strong Bailiwick, Alderney, too, must be prepared to play its part – and, on this matter, I am sure Alderney will be happy to reciprocate – why wouldn’t it?
It is therefore right and proper that the CfED should now be articulating a clear economic development policy in regard not just to the island of Guernsey, but when sensible in regard to the whole Bailiwick. Guernsey is, after all, understandably quick to react when it believes that the actions of others, be they Alderney or the UK, might lead to (real or just perceived) reputational damage to the whole Bailiwick.
n Guernsey desperately needs to revise its approach to public investment – Guernsey is not starved of cash resources, but an accountant’s and not an economist’s approach to future investment is being taken. The fiscal austerity that is being practised may have short-term advantages, but long term it is likely to be very damaging. I have long criticised Guernsey for its approach to decision-making that takes into account only the impact on direct taxation and not the overall economy. I have pointed out, by way of example, that the UK would have no motorway network if that government had adopted a similar approach to investment. The Bailiwick needs to invest for its future.
I hold these views very strongly.
My first point may be seen simply as natural support of Alderney. It isn’t. We need to work together for a strong Bailiwick. My second point is 100% in support for a change that will benefit the whole Bailiwick!
JAMES DENT
Chairman, Policy and Finance Committee, Alderney.