GST will only increase the burden on those who have nothing left to give

What does this statement reveal about the current States of Guernsey? Why has it taken them until this moment, as they cry out, we’re desperate, to do anything? Why have they failed to take any measures to prevent this situation, that is according to them, desperate? Why haven’t they cut government spending, remained within budget? Instead, the States has continued with its trend of overspending. Why have they started new projects that are merely cosmetic and offer little more than that of a wow factor to those looking in from the outside world? Nothing of value or need to the island. We’re so desperate that the States continues to talk about extending the island’s runway along with other similar projects that the island can quite happily live without. The States has done literally nothing in practical terms to tighten the purse strings.

We all know that we must budget, to balance the books between income and expenditure. Yet strangely enough it is a concept that the States obviously has never come across. Introducing GST, which they will do, is not the answer.

It will only increase the burden on those who have nothing left to give.

It is going to cost the States a good proportion of what GST brings in to finance the running of it. It will also increase substantially States spending. Something that the States has either failed to take note of or mention is that GST will also add further to the cost of States spending, unless the States is not subject to GST.

Which means that what GST brings in will just, maybe, cover the additional costs that the States will now have to pay out to cover GST. It’s all smoke and mirrors, the States is desperate to cover its tracks, but not desperate enough to do what really needs to be done. They just don’t have either the guts or the stomach for it. And on top of that, it might affect their own pockets and they wouldn’t want that now, would they?

It’s beyond time that the States re-evaluated the entire income tax system, from top to bottom. That means actually tax the rich and stop being their lackeys, and that includes companies who are covered by zero-10. It is time it was done away with. The States desperately needs a reality check.

l Tax the rich in a closer relation to the rest of the population. Remove the tax cap.

l All companies should be subject to corporate taxation. Get rid of zero-10.

l Add further levels of taxation, spread the load out more evenly across the board.

Balance it, but fairly. Stop placing it all on those who cannot afford to pay, while practically leaving alone those who can. They hardly feel the pinch and that is putting it mildly.

GST will be the straw that broke the donkey’s back, the final nail in the coffin. GST will bring about everything that the States is afraid might happen and so much more. There will be no income from a population that disappears. Prices will go up and more and more shops will be forced to close. GST might bring in a few more coffers into the States Treasury, but it will take far more from the local economy. Where will it go? To the likes of Amazon. Local supermarkets are all that might survive, until they price themselves out of the market. Guernsey will soon become an island of online shoppers and mass unemployment. We know that the States doesn’t care about the island – let us show them that we do.

Say no to GST or say goodbye to Guernsey.

JOHN DE CARTERET

17 Delancey Court

Rue Des Monts

St Sampson’s