EVERYTHING from GST to branchage fines and compulsory bicycle helmets came up for discussion last night in St Mary.
Three political newcomers, David Johnson, David Richardson and Daniel Wimberley, will battle it out for the seat left vacant by departing Deputy Juliette Gallichan, who will take over from Ken Le Brun as Constable in the new Assembly.
Few of the 100 seats in the parish hall were left free as the three candidates faced fierce questioning from parishioners on a wide range of issues including the separation of the Bailiff’s powers, Jersey claiming independence from the UK, increased funding for St Mary’s youth club, the cost of higher education and overcrowding on school buses.
A question which struck a particular chord was put by Bob Naylor on behalf of John Hue-lin, who could not make the meeting, which asked if the candidates would support a proposition to make bicycle helmets compulsory.
Mr Richardson said that he would support it. ‘We have seen what happens to people who don’t wear a helmet,’ he said.
Mr Wimberley said that he would not be in favour, as it would make cycling rates go down and in turn make people unhealthier. ‘Compulsory helmets have a negative effect as cycling rates go down,’ he said. ‘Also, the
evidence shows that when we wear a helmet we are more likely to have an accident.’
Mr Johnson said that he would support such a proposition if it could be proved that it would help to save lives. ‘Yes, it would seem that helmets could save lives, and certainly if this can be proved then I would support such a prop-osition,’ he said.
Two questions were also asked about the candidates’ views on GST, firstly by Jackie Dudley who asked what they thought about removing GST from food, and then by Geoffrey Grime, who asked the candidates about what they thought of GST as a tax, and, if they didn’t like it, what alternatives they would consider.
Mr Wimberley said that while he had initially been sympathetic to GST, he had since changed his mind as it was a regressive tax which bore down on the poor of the Island. Instead, he suggested an increased Social Security threshold, a carbon levy, and an increase in value when land was rezoned.
Mr Johnson thought the States had made the right decision to introduce GST because it was the right tax to fill the hole that was there — although, he said, it would need a few tweaks. ‘On balance the right decision was made as it is a tax borne proportionally by all Islanders. GST is the right tax, subject to a few tweaks.’
In agreement, Mr Richardson said that he also felt that GST was a good decision as it is cheaper and easier to administer than other forms of taxation. ‘It is a tax that is cheaper to collect,’ he said. ‘The more we change GST, the more expensive it becomes to collect. The simpler it is the better, which would mean 3% on everything.’
Right: There was a full house to hear the candidates in St Mary
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