Peter Body « « This Is Jersey

Everyone tells us how lucky we are compared to other places. It just doesn’t seem like we are lucky sometimes

TAX is in the news again. Well, when isn’t it? However, the Irish must have been a bit surprised when it was confirmed this week that their rate of VAT was to increase next year by 2% to a whopping 23%.

What the rhetoric doesn’t do is focus on the economy – the real problem facing the Island

Into a new era was the way this newspaper heralded the election of our new Chief Minister. The reason the JEP described it in such a way is because that is apparently what the new Chief Minister wants – a new era where everyone ‘works together to harness the passion and potential of every one [...]

Political interference down on the waterfront

Walking around the St Helier waterfront on a fine evening recently, I was struck by how well the development seems to be fitting together at last.

The Jersey way is to vote for someone you trust is going to get something done. I prefer to be a little more certain about what I’m getting

AS this is my first rant after the election, I would like to extend my best wishes to all those who have gained, regained or retained States office. Good luck – you’re going to need it. The marathon of electioneering you have just been through is only the beginning.

The econony is unlikely to swing back into action without States help. We need decisive action

I MUST be mellowing in my old age. I’ve started to agree with a lot of what the Chamber of Commerce says.

Perhaps the economy could do with a health check and a new direction – a Plan B

IHATE this job. I seem to be criticising all of the time. And that’s only when I’m not moaning about people who I generally like and respect and who, in most cases, are doing a good job.

I see no sense in competing one minute and co-operating the next

You read it here first. For years I’ve been banging on about the advantages of Jersey and Guernsey working much more closely together. Now politicians and industry have taken up the cause.

Marking the 50th anniversary of finance was little more than a marketing exercise

SO all’s well with the world. I woke this morning to a radio news bulletin which told me with great solemnity that many more cockles than usual were dying in Jersey this year. And that was the lead story.

There are things that are wrong in Jersey and it is not wise to ignore them

Apparently I’ve been overdoing it recently. I’ve had an ear bashing from my wife for constantly moaning and being negative in these columns. Why can’t I say something nice for a change? she asked.

New growth strategy is not worth the paper it isn’t written on

To describe the recently published Economic Growth Strategy as a waste of paper would be grossly inaccurate.