From Dee Dodd.
ON 15 October – the same day as the Senatorial elections – the people of Jersey will have the opportunity to vote in Jersey’s first referendum on changing to Central European Time.

In my view it would increase the quality of our lives enormously to change to CET – that is, Greenwich Mean Time plus one hour (plus two hours during the summer).
I therefore list here a few of the many positive aspects of having more daylight hours:
• I understand more road accidents occur during the dark winter evenings than during the mornings, as drivers are more alert during the mornings.

• It would reduce the number of hours we need to light our homes and streets, thereby reducing bills, and with the added benefit of being better for the environment.

• Although I am retired now, I well remember leaving work in the dark during the winter evenings. Surely having extra daylight hours would encourage us all to pursue more outdoor activities and therefore lead a healthier lifestyle.

• Children would have more outdoor playtime after school instead of returning home and just sitting and watching TV or playing computer games. Those children who do attend after-school clubs and activities are presently exposed to the dark evenings during the winter.

• Elderly people often dread the long and sometimes lonely winter nights, when the curtains are drawn too early in the day and family and friends are less likely to visit them.

• It would boost tourism – who doesn’t enjoy the opportunity to have a meal outside during the longer summer evenings? One of the attractions of holidaying in Europe is its relaxed way of life due to the longer light evenings.

That same lifestyle could easily be achieved in Jersey. It could also potentially extend the summer holiday season into the autumn and winter months, thereby adding to the prosperity of the Island.

I have heard that one of the arguments against changing to CET is that it would be detrimental to the finance industry. I do not accept this argument, as we are, after all, living in the 21st century with all the benefits of computerisation and ease of communication. The finance industry already successfully deals with clients from around the world with varying time zones.

I acknowledge that changing to CET would involve a lot of reorganisation, but the benefits would certainly be great and the problems not insurmountable.

Changing the clocks will not change the number of hours of daylight, but will mean that we can all use the time when it is light.
I for one will certainly be using the opportunity on 15 October to vote in favour of changing to CET.
La Garenne Cottage,
Rue du Bocage,
St Peter.