Four years of indecision, prevarication and inaction

At the election four years ago, we voted in anticipation of an end to the island’s housing crisis.

To date government has spent circa £14m. on land that is mostly unsuitable for construction and has built practically no social housing.

Four years ago, we voted with the hope of investment in the island’s massively underfunded infrastructure. To date, the Cow’s Horn steps have been fixed after a five-year delay.

Back in 2020 when we voted we had been promised Civil Service reform by Paul Whitfield and his ‘10-year plan’. Mr Whitfield was subsequently dismissed. His replacement has not been seen nor heard from. It would appear the only reform is the new man’s retirement.

Voting for action to get the Revenue Service to catch up was rather optimistic. All that appears to have been achieved is an increase in workload with partner returns. However, they now produce an annual report detailing how much further behind they are.

In 2020 we were told we should have a ‘world-class’ education system. Four years later we have a pile of crushed stone at Les Baissieres, exam results in decline, and deteriorating discipline.

In the last four years waiting lists for specialist medical consultations have lengthened and the island’s two-tier health system has grown, with more islanders paying for services that should be available without a one to two years' wait.

When voting we hoped for improved air and sea links with growth in the tourist sector. Government delivered ‘the worst airline in the world’ and no current sea link security.

We voted island wide for better elector representation and we got a further disconnect between ‘people’s’ deputies, parishes and voters.

We did not vote for a tax rise or GST and neither did we expect four years of indecision, prevarication and inaction.

Please do not take the easy way out by raising taxes.

Use the remaining months of your term to fulfil the expectations of your electorate.

ROB GILL

Le Cochon Bleu

Petites Capelles