GST backlash prompts call for calm from Guernsey deputy

Guernsey’s GST vote has sparked anger online, with one deputy calling for calm.

On Friday (2 October), Guernsey deputies narrowly voted in favour of introducing a 3% Goods and Services Tax in 2029.

The Policy and Resources' package is expected to raise around £36 million a year for the public purse, alongside measures intended to protect lower earners, including changes to tax-free income allowances.

But many islanders had already made it clear that they opposed GST, with a petition attracting 9,000 signatures and protesters gathering on the Royal Court steps ahead of the debate.

Since the vote, social media has been flooded with criticism, with satirical artwork and strong language targeting deputies.

Some local businesses have also pledged not to serve politicians, while others have been urged to blacklist the 22 deputies who voted in favour.

That has prompted Deputy Rob Curgenven, who voted against GST, to post a video calling for calm. He said:

"I know I have no right to ask this of you because I understand that a lot of people are angry and upset with what happened this week with GST being voted through, but please, please, please, can we not personally attack deputies and, especially, please, please, please, can we not attack their families.

"I know that you're angry, and I know this affects your futures, your lives.

"You know, speaking personally, my wife and I, we're considering leaving Guernsey now because we can't afford to live here, but again please, please don't make it personal.

"The majority of the deputies genuinely, genuinely believe that they're doing the right thing for the people, whether you disagree with them or not, and I don't think it's fair to personally attack them and certainly not their family.

"Please, please keep them and their family out of it. That's all I'd like to ask. Thank you."

Meanwhile, Deputy Lee Van Katwyk also took to social media to reflect on the State's decision and what it might mean for his own family's future:

"To be clear, our idea of "rich enough" isn't a supercar. It's a tent, a ferry ticket and a forest somewhere in France once or twice a year.

"But right now, on a teacher's and a deputy's salary, and having just bought a house, we can't do it, and it doesn't look likely any time soon - after last week, even less so.

"What it could mean is one of us sacrificing more family time to take on another job. Or it could mean looking at options further afield."