Proposals to bridge the financial gap are merely tinkering around the edges

However, I have not heard of a credible alternative to gather the huge amount of extra income which Guernsey needs unless income tax is raised or the potential income from an offshore wind farm is examined in detail and found to be viable. In which case GST might be avoided but the proposals which have been put forward so far are merely tinkering around the edges.

It does not seem to have entered the consciousness of many of our politicians that the looming costs do not belong to a fanciful wish list, they are essential to the wellbeing and progress of Guernsey.

And we are not talking about a few million pounds here, these essentials will require hundreds of millions and yet the committee which really knows the figures and what we are up against, is ignored.

To list just a few of the works needed now, not just in the distant future: the next phase of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital; the complete re-development of Les Ozouets site to accommodate Further Education; the defence of St Sampson’s Harbour against rising sea levels; the repair of the castle bridge; the repair of the steps up to the Clarence Battery; the repair of Fermain sea wall; housing for our essential workers; possible work on the airport runway and by no means least, a major upgrade of Alderney airport and runway. I could go on.

Incidentally, the maintenance of St Peter Port Harbour could be greatly assisted by the income from paid parking on the North Beach and piers but, although it is accepted almost everywhere in the UK and Jersey, it cannot be even considered here, we are too precious.

Now is the time for the States to get real and bite the bullet, even if it means great unpopularity. But most likely they will put more faith in their amateur financial knowledge rather than face the facts and allow things to drift along as usual until we are in real trouble and bankrupt.

B Mauger

St Peter Port