Election is no time to reward a deputy’s past inaction with vote

This reminder comes at the right time, as we are still suffering from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown. There is the added concern that restrictions could be reintroduced to contain a resurgence of infections – outside the island so far. Uncertain times will continue until a vaccine has been found, which may not be available before the winter 2021.

Unlike the ‘sub-prime’ financial crisis of 2007/2008, this pandemic has affected the whole population, particularly small businesses, people on low income, people who have lost their jobs and those who have had to accept reduced wages, and elderly people requiring extra care to fight the virus. The lockdown period has also affected people’s personal health, particularly the mental health of adults and children alike. Of course, people’s lifestyle is a contributing factor, but that is another subject altogether. Consequently, today, we are faced with an even wider gap between the struggling families and the better-off sections of the population.

Simply rebuilding the economy to pre-Covid status quo is not enough, and this was recognised at the States’ virtual meeting held during lockdown, with the adoption of the Recovery Strategy to ‘Build Guernsey Better’. External borrowings of up to £500m. were also approved to take the first steps of the ‘Revive and Thrive’ strategy. Social and environment issues will no longer take second place to fiscal and economic objectives. The deputies acknowledged the new reality and some even indicated that they were ready to ‘do what it takes’ to regenerate the island, beginning with simplifying the numerous bureaucratic processes to get things really moving. That was four months ago, and nothing much has happened since: status quo . . . and more inaction.

Four years of inaction and U-turns have resulted in lost opportunities, lost investments, under-capitalisation, degraded infrastructure, as summarised in the ‘Review of the Capital Allocation Process of the States of Guernsey’ issued by the Scrutiny Management Committee as recently as July 2020. That review clearly shows the damage caused by the lack of infrastructure investments and the long-term consequences (loss of employment, loss of income, loss of tax revenues, etc.). How many deputies have read that report? All this happened on the current Assembly’s watch, yet deputies refuse all responsibility for their mismanagement and past mistakes. Collectively, this Assembly has repeatedly failed our community and cost the taxpayers dearly. And yet, those deputies seeking re-election have the audacity to expect us to continue trusting them to govern the island. They will never learn; they are resisting change and are unable to reform. So they will repeat their past mistakes, should they be re-elected. You have been warned. After a four-year wait we now have the one and only opportunity to make a real change. It is no time to reward past inaction with a vote.

New blood is desperately needed. A record 90 new candidates coming forward is a clear indication that islanders want change, with actions and not just words.

Island-wide voting offers real choice and real change.

The huge task for the new Assembly was set just a few months ago, so having agreed the new objectives (mainly dictated by the disastrous social and economic impacts of the pandemic and lockdown) before the new political term should be helpful when selecting the best candidates to achieve the stated goals. Acting on the economy, health and social care, the community, education and the environment with equal consideration and with equal priority has never been attempted before – but it is essential today to achieve a fairer society. Party lines and affiliations are irrelevant, and so are speeches, hustings and knocking on doors, as promises are made to get elected, then are soon forgotten once in power and secure in a cocoon and in the knowledge that a high salary will be guaranteed, even during lockdown. So, more than ever, and as noted by John Langlois, we also need to know what the candidates have achieved in their working lives and what practical experience and proven ability they can bring to our new government. Such information can only be obtained through reading all the candidates’ manifestos; this reading alone takes many hours, but is essential to make the right or the best decisions. On reading the candidates’ resumes, it is clear that the calibre of many of the candidates is high, outstanding even, with many having acquired their knowledge and expertise at international and local levels. What is particularly valuable, in view of the inclusion of social and environment objectives in all future projects, is the life experience acquired by some candidates in community and social work, health care, charities, human resources and education.

Valuable and much needed contributions will also be made by a number of candidates offering years of experience in business, management and finance, with a near unanimous recognition that reviving, diversifying and growing the economy is a prerequisite for financing improved health care and social services. So, collectively, these candidates should be well qualified to hit the ground running and to offer such expertise in-house, to avoid the kind of indecision and U-turns we have had to put up with during these last four years. Spending a few hours reading the new candidates’ manifestos is really necessary homework as we elect a new government fit for purpose and ready to enact policies benefitting the whole community. It will be a time-consuming selection, but there is no requirement to use all 38 votes.

PHIL DUPRE

Address withheld