GST: It could be close

Thursday 11th September 2008, 2:59PM BST.

STATES Members spent a full day debating GST exemptions yesterday — and the result of the debate may be much closer than expected.

At times, it seemed as if the tide was turning against Deputy Carolyn Labey, whose proposition to exempt non-luxury food items from the 3% sales tax had appeared to be a sure thing.

Amendments to extend the exemptions to all food and fuel, water, books, newspapers and school uniforms were all rejected yesterday by margins between 17 and 29 votes.

The Council of Ministers, who performed a late U-turn to get behind the exemptions after fighting against them for two and a half years, were condemned and ridiculed for their late change of stance, which many Members put down to electioneering.

• The debate on Deputy Labey’s proposition continues on Friday morning

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1
Nellie Macon

September 11, 2008 at 2:08 pm

Why the sudden rush with all these important decisions just before the elections? These matters should be put on hold until the new States Members are elected. The current States Members have had their attempt at resolving these issues and failed miserably, anything they do now is only going to compound the problem and be a “quick fix”. Let the new States Members consult with the public and make carefully considered decisions that will be to the lasting benefit of all.

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2
Bruce Labey

September 12, 2008 at 10:45 am

Good grief Nellie, you can’t possibly be suggesting that the States of Jersey adopt a mature and professional approach to politics? with this bunch of clowns? During one of the most closely followed debates in months, with the future of so many people’s quality of life hanging in the balance, the debate was suspended on Thursday afternoon so that the politicians could go and watch the Air Display. Quite unbelievable, even by the slipshod standards that we have come to expect from our highly paid but part-time politicians. Please please please everybody, vote every last one of these people out in October.

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