With the election looming, Guernsey folk really need to think if there is any hope and any point in voting. According to the latest surveys there is a large percentage of mistrust in our elected deputies, and rightly so.
The current house has sat back and allowed non-elected civil servants dictate some of the greatest changes to Guernsey’s heritage and culture there has ever been.
Not just has this Assembly, but previous ones too, totally failed to recognise the locally-produced talent in this island and has shamefully turned their backs on them by going everywhere else to fulfil jobs. Forcing them off-island as there is no longer a future for them or a feeling of being wanted.
It has now got to the stage where you are disadvantaged to be a Guernseyman.
You are disadvantaged if you are looking to rent somewhere to live as you are competing against non-local people who have the benefit of subsidised rents being offered to them by our government, as they are classed as key workers. Come on, let’s equal things up please. Landlords have also jumped on the bandwagon and are pushing up prices to unrealistic levels, knowing the States will pay almost anything out of desperation. I’ve heard of potential rental clients being asked, ‘how much are you willing to pay?’
As far as key workers are concerned I understand there is a need, in certain sectors, in care and health positions for them to be here to help fulfil these roles.
But is anyone asking how many, brought in on an agreed contract, by HSC, leave those positions in a relatively short space of time and step into jobs elsewhere that local people should or could be doing?
Isn’t it time to introduce work permits for these key roles, and that the permit applies to that job only? If they decide the job’s not for them then the island shouldn’t be either. Permits might show a commitment to the role offered rather than just using the opportunity as a stepping stone to wherever the fancy takes you.
Perhaps at the same time they need to look at the logic of bringing in extended families to fulfil one particular job position, that in itself is putting more strain on already-stretched service from across the board.
Why are we led to believe that the States are saying that they are committed to get on top of the housing crisis? How is building three-bed properties costing £900,000 helping? Come on, please build something at a reasonable price.
Finally, please vote for anyone who is willing to see that GST or GST-plus isn’t the way forward. Give a vote to the candidates that say we need a total reform of the tax system and to start getting income tax out of the 300 wealthiest that have chosen our island to set up home here with tax avoidance as their sole aim, apart of course from changing and shaping the island to suit their needs.
Please, please start listening to the Guernseyman.
Hang on, I think it’s already too late.
Simon Newton
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