Backbencher pours scorn on States' policies

Thursday 11 January 2018

The former President of the Committee for Economic Development has released a 14 page document, which he calls 'Memoirs of a backbencher', which criticises a number of decisions made by the States of Guernsey and includes his suggestions for revitalising the island's economy.

Deputy Peter Ferbrache says States members must "work with real diligence and purpose in trying to make a positive difference to peoples' lives. We can only do so if we make DECISIONS!"

In the document, sent to Express ahead of the first States meeting of 2018, Deputy Ferbrache refers to his childhood, education, early years working as a lawyer in England and his return to Guernsey and the struggles he and his wife endured as he studied in Caen and they built a life for their family. Deputy Ferbrache repeatedly states how lucky he was before saying the States of Guernsey have done local people a disservice through a number of decisions including the vote to scrap educational selection at 11 which will ultimately lead to the demise of the Grammar School: "that now has been lost: I accept that but with real sorrow."

Deputy Ferbrache goes on to refer to the current States of Guernsey as 'anti business'. He lists a number of problems he sees with the island's economy and the way it is run, including ongoing issues with air and sea links, an open market in decline, a general lack of confidence in the economy and "on occasions at the highest level poor leadership or no leadership".

He goes on to suggest a number of ways of revitalising the economy, through subsidising Condor Ferries if it replaces the Liberation and improves frequency on the northern and inter island routes. Deputy Ferbrache suggests a ferry service to Alderney while asking residents to be realistic about air links, he also wants to encourage more airlines to fly to Guernsey while supporting Aurigny as an economic enabler.

Deputy Ferbrache calls for more work to be done to invigorate the open market, to improve digital connectivity, to encourage entrepreneurs to relocate to the island while training more specialists on island and he says the Population Management review should go ahead as planned in March 2019 with work underway immediately to address urgent issues including those affecting guest workers.

Essentially, Deputy Ferbrache says, the States and the island's civil servants need to stop being so risk averse: "I again state, we have many good quality senior civil servants. What is at fault is the risk averse nature and the lack of commercial experience of the Civil Service. This should be supplemented and assisted on an ad hoc basis by entrepreneurs and experienced business persons from within and outside the Bailiwick."

Deputy Ferbrache also accuses his fellow States member, Deputy Charles Parkinson, and the Policy and Resources Committee, of being more concerned with form, procedure and consultant than working to improve the economy:

Deputy Ferbache closes by saying: "Best wishes to everyone for 2018. It is not an easy time but it is the future we will have to deal with." 

Pictured: Deputy Peter Ferbache, taken from the States of Guernsey website.