Guernsey's P&R committee accused of 'not achieving anything'

The Policy and Resources Committee is to face a vote of no confidence on Wednesday

Guernsey's former Treasury Minister has said the Policy and Resources (P&R) Committee "hasn't achieved anything this term".

Deputy Charles Parkinson is leading a motion of no confidence (MONC) in P&R after it failed to get its plans for tax reform approved by deputies.

P&R President Deputy Peter Ferbrache said his committee still has the support of the public.

A vote on P&R's future is set to take place on Wednesday.

The previous debate was adjourned with senior States members branding it a "pantomime".

'Bad leadership'

Mr Parkinson said: "In any normal democracy, a government which lost the main plank of their fiscal policy, the policy on which all of their spending plans depend, would resign."

Allegations of bullying by P&R were brought up during the last debate on the MONC but Mr Parkinson said he prefers to concentrate on policies rather than personalities.

"The present leadership lacks a coherent vision, or the ability to inspire broad support. It does not empower its colleagues, but rather centralises control and then fails to use it constructively.

"This is simply bad leadership.

"It must be possible for us to do better, and it is unlikely that an alternative leadership would do worse."

'Likely to be close'

Deputies Lyndon Trott, Peter Roffey, Charles Parkinson and Rob Prow have all been tipped as potential successors to Mr Ferbrache if the MONC is successful.

Mr Ferbrache said the vote is "likely to be close" with just a few in it.

Deputy Steve Falla who said he was undecided during the debate and will not be there for the vote.

Another States member Deputy Chris Le Tissier said despite saying during the debate he would back the MONC, the intent to resign of Deputies Mark Helyar and David Mahoney has made "the choice less clear cut".

As people prepared for a pantomime performance at St James, we found out what they thought of the situation.

Chad Murray believes a change of committee members might be disruptive

Former harbourmaster Chad Murray said: "I am in two minds. I think P&R have not delivered, I think the States in general have not delivered but equally changing P&R now might be more disruptive.

"I don't particularly support P&R but I also wonder what can be done with what's left."

Gill Freeman said she wants politicians to "put the island first"

Gill Freeman was stewarding at the pantomime and said: "I think the States should be like they were in my day, able to come to a consensus. I am fed up with people thinking their tiny opinion is so important they can't put the island first.

"I'd love a decision on P&R's future, any decision would be rather nice - I can't imagine who would come and do it?

"I find Heidi and Peter Roffey speak the most sense as far as I can see."

Beth Edwards said she would like to see some younger politicians

Beth Edwards who went to see the show said: "I think we need a slight revamp, we have lots of older politicians in place at the moment and we possibly need some younger faces who may be more representative of the Guernsey public at the moment."

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