GST

In July 2007, the JDA teamed up with the Chamber of Commerce and the Jersey Hospitality Association to organise a public GST debate at the St. Helier Town Hall. In September, JDA members worked tirelessly helping to gather more than 19,000 signatures for the Jersey Consumer Council anti-GST petition.

The subsequent rally on 8th September, saw the Royal Square packed with angry citizens. As usual, the public voice was largely ignored, as the States’ Establishment won a narrow majority to squeeze their legislation.

It is our conviction that those politicians who chose to ignore the wishes of the people and support GST, did so at their peril. The public will not forget who they are and we trust they will not be re-elected in 2008 or beyond.

GST – How your States Members voted

There have now been a number of States’ votes within the long and sorry saga of the Establishment Party’s drive to bring in the regressive taxation that is GST. The one published here is probably the most telling. What might surprise ordinary working islanders struggling to put decent food on the table and clothes on the backs of their children are the names of many of those who went back on their pre-election promises to toe the Establishment Party line. It should also be pointed out that a small number of politicians have now changed their minds.

The JDA – always consistent in our argument that this tax never should have happened and categorically could have been replaced with a number of other, fairer methods of raising revenue – would add only this: changing one’s mind upon realisation that a mistake has been made is a positive thing and should be applauded. Changing your mind in an act of self-preservation because an election is a just around the corner is quite another. St. Helier Connétable, Simon Crowcroft who had originally supported GST was widely accused of doing just this very thing shortly before the vote published below. The Connétable did, of course, go on to present the Consumer Council petition against GST - the petition that so many JDA members had worked so very hard to support - to the States in an attempt to get the tax delayed.

Senator Stuart Syvret on the other hand, prior to this vote, had always been a strong and consistent opponent of introducing GST. What may have been in his mind when he decided to do an about turn and vote 'pour' at the time of this vote only he himself will know. Nevertheless, to the Senator's credit, come the next vote on the issue he reverted to the position he had maintained for so long and voted against. He has continued this opposition to the present day.

Deputy Carolyn Labey, you will notice is also on this list of those supporting GST in 2007. In the interests of fairness - something very close to the heart of all of us in the JDA - Deputy Labey has recently lodged a proposition that will attempt to gain exemptions on food and domestic fuel. At time of writing we believe this proposition will be debated on the same day as Deputy Shona Pitman's on exempting the healthy essentials of fruit, vegetables and milk (see Hot Topics) at the beginning of September.

We will leave readers to study the litany of shame below of the States Members who voted POUR (for) then make up their own mind…

Draft Goods and Services Tax (Jersey) Law 200 P.37/2007

POUR

¬ These are now against GST

Senator F.H. Walker

Senator T.A. Le Sueur

Senator T.J. Le Main

Senator S. Syvret ¬

Senator W. Kinard

Senator P.F. Routier

Senator M.E. Vibert

Senator F.E. Cohen

Connétable of St. Ouen

Connétable of St. Peter

Connétable of St. Clement

Connétable of St. Trinity

Connétable of St. Lawrence

Connétable of St. Grouville

Connétable of St. Brelade

Connétable of St. Martin

Connétable of St. John

Connétable of St. Ouen

Deputy J.J. Huet (St. Helier No. 3)

Deputy F.J. (Bob) Hill (St. Martin)

Deputy C.J. Scott-Warren (St. Saviour No. 1)

Deputy R.G. Le Herissier (St. Saviour No.3)

Deputy A.J.G. Maclean. (St. Helier No. 2)

Deputy J.B. Fox (St. Helier No. 3)

Deputy S.C. Ferguson (St. Brelade No. 1)

Deputy J.G. Reed (St. Ouen)

Deputy P.J.D. Ryan (St. Helier No. 1)

Deputy C. Labey (Grouville) ¬

Deputy G.W.J. De Faye (St. Helier No. 3)

Deputy J.A.N. le Fondré (St. Lawrence)

Deputy A.E. Pryke (Trinity)

Deputy A.D. Lewis (St. John)

Deputy I.J. Gorst (St. Clement)

Deputy J. Gallichan (St. Mary)

Shocked?

Make sure you vote them out at the elections of 2008!

Make sure you vote for people who kept their word:

JDA – NO2GST in 2005 – NO2GST in 2008!