OVER a thousand people of all ages packed the Royal Square on Saturday to voice their strong opposition to the proposed goods and services tax.

Although good-humoured throughout, the rally, organised by the Jersey Consumer Council, was a clear demonstration of public opposition to the new tax, due to come in next May. More than 16,000 people have also signed the ‘Say No to GST’ petition. Led by council chairman Deputy Alan Breckon, the rally heard calls for greater action on States spending, a reduction in the size of the public sector and less reliance on outside consultants. Deputy Breckon warned that if GST was introduced businesses would have to bear additional costs which would be reflected in higher prices. ‘It is far more likely to be a tax of five per cent and not one of three per cent because traders will have to put up their prices, and it is you the public who will end up paying more,’ he said.