‘Pot of malice’ spiced by Covid
I READ with interest the spat between Tim Chesney and the CCA, the support given to Chesney by Harry Richardson who referred to the response given by Deputy Ferbrache as ‘Gutter politics at its worst’ and the short letter from Margaret Smith suggesting that all outlanders go back to where they came from. What a pot of malice we have brewing, heavily spiced with Covid-19.
A few weeks ago Deputy Ferbrache responded to a question from the press about a roadmap out of restrictions saying that it was too early to give this. At the time active cases on the island were falling quickly and no new cases were being found. The CCA wanted to wait until the direction of travel was more certain, otherwise it would possibly raise expectations only to disappoint. I can’t see anything wrong with this approach, however frustrating it is for all of us.
The CCA foreshadowed announcing a roadmap a week or so ago and last week we got it. It seems sensible to me and if we can meet these target dates we will be happy bunnies, albeit too late for Easter.
I had heard mutterings about the letter Deputy Ferbrache had written and published in the Guernsey Press, although had initially missed reading it. People spoke of his unnecessary personal attack on the character of Mr Chesney but having since read the letter several times, I can’t see this. The only inconsistency is his statement that he is writing personally but then referring to his decision-making role in the CCA. Mr Chesney made some pretty inflammatory statements about the CCA, democracy, the importance of wealth creators and the luxury of being in public service and these statements needed answering. I believe the answers given are valid.
As to Margaret Smith, she needs to remember that there are approximately 20,000 Guernsey people living in the UK or elsewhere, all of whom have been warmly embraced into their new lives abroad. Families here would like to visit them or be visited. Smith is an Anglo-Saxon name in any case, so I doubt her roots extend to Norman times.
The challenge now for the CCA and our Guernsey people is to learn to live with Covid without fear. It is not going to go away; Spanish Flu is still with us. We must rely on the vaccine to protect us as best it can and get on with our lives.
GERALD HOUGH