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The States of Guernsey communications team has come under fire after using the government's social media accounts to share one-sided views on the Tax Review debate over the weekend.
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram were all used to share a statement from the Policy and Resources Committee offering other States members a negative view against an amendment to their proposals.
Next week P&R will be asking the States to support the Tax Review proposals which include an overhaul of how income tax is collected and social security charges are levied.
It also includes a 5% goods and services tax which many people appear to be against.
As the debate nears amendments have been lodged against the proposals - including one from Deputy Charles Parkinson. The former Treasury Minister has suggested a Corporate Income Tax (CIT) instead of GST.
P&R says it won't bring in any where near enough money needed to stem the island's growing financial deficit though.
The decision to use the States social media accounts to share this message drew criticism on Saturday morning,
Kate Collins said it was not democratic.
"I'm sorry, but this is not a democracy anymore. When the Government urges others within Government via social media not to vote for an amendment, it shows that there is something seriously wrong. This post needs to be removed and swiftly please!"
John Reeve wrote: "Hopefully Deputies will make their own decisions and not be swayed by the obvious spin from P&R. Also hope they will remember the promises made in their election manifestos."
A second post with a subsequent message urging support for the Tax Review proposal in light of the decision by S&P to give Guernsey a negative outlook also drew criticism with Jo May writing:
"Why are the states social media channels being used for these internal comms, when there are internal e-mails/WhatsApp groups which would be far more suitable
"How about a link to the S&P assessment, states members will need to read that before they can make any decision based on it surely. I’ve searched for it but, can’t find it."
Paula Lanyon called the posts "bullyboy tactics" while Daphne Brouard said the posts were an "own goal".
In response to the criticism, the States Communications team has today said:
"Communications support is provided to all States Committees to assist with explaining policy positions and, as appropriate, recommendations for change.
"This is not unique to the tax review and has been standard practise across a whole range of topics over recent years. This extends to responding to opposition to those policy positions, through a range of channels including the traditional media and social media."
Joint Managing Director of Le Mont Saint Garage, Peter Beausire was another who found the social media posts to be inappropriate and he has today told Express:
"There is a very big difference between using the States of Guernsey communications to share potential proposals or changing of policies to what happened on Friday which was P&R using the Social Media platforms to urge members not to support an amendment being proposed by other deputies.
"The deputies and general public should be encouraged to make their own decisions and not be swayed by this sort of post.
"Based all of the general public comments, it is clearly obvious as this was an own goal by the States of Guernsey!"
Pictured: Peter Beausire.
The States of Guernsey communications team is staffed by a number of former journalists and PR and marketing professionals.
The team look after external communications for the States committees and the island more widely during times of public engagement such as during the pandemic or following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the proclamation of King Charles III.
The @govgg social media accounts have previously been used to argue against amendments which the lead committee on a policy letter feels would be damaging to the overall impact of the legislation being debated.
One recent example was when the Committee for Employment and Social Security successfully argued against several amendments to the island's first anti discrimination laws - in particular the much criticised 'amendment eight'.
Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq defended the States use of social media over the weekend, comparing our island's use of such tools to Jersey's.
It’s tricky, as our government system is hybrid & uses committees. P&R are the committee tasked by the Assembly with the tax mandate & ESS with the Social Security mandate as a result it’s not surprising we use #govgg social media to present our proposals & respond to amendments
— Jonathan Le Tocq (@letocq) January 14, 2023
Jersey split their Twitter accounts a few years back by creating a parliamentary account @StatesAssembly which differentiated government from legislature, emphasising the separation of powers which we don’t really have here in Guernsey
— Jonathan Le Tocq (@letocq) January 14, 2023
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