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The public could be asked what changes should be made to the island's tax and social security policies, before the States decide what to do.
A sursis motivé has been lodged by Deputies Carl Meerveld and Chris Blin (pictured top) - it will be debated before the tax review itself is debated next week and could see all work stop until a wider review is carried out to find out what policies should be adopted.
Pictured: A sursis motive is a tool deputies can use to guide the direction of debate away from the proposals.
Both deputies say they "share the overwhelming public concern regarding the introduction of a Goods and Service Tax", and they believe "it would be folly to implement it just prior to the next election when it is a distinct possibility that the next Assembly will reverse it under public pressure" - so to avoid that happening they suggest the public are asked what they want now - rather than using the 2025 general election as a referendum on GST.
The sursis motivé asks the States to direct Policy & Resources to spend most of the rest of this term of office working with the other States committees, and all States Members to come up with a firm idea of what size of government the island needs and how much it should cost to run, and what services it should provide.
Deputies Meerveld and Blin then want three options to be presented in December 2024.
The final few months of this term of the States would see the public consulted on what we want to do. A decision would then be made before the 2025 election and any new tax systems could be in place by 2040.
Pictured: The Policy and Resources Committee could have to start their tax review work again.
Deputies Meerveld and Blin will likely face accusations of "kicking the can down the road" but they said: "We believe a discussion is needed about public expectations regarding the benefits and services our government provides and the associated costs before a decision is made which will fundamentally change the way the way Guernsey raises taxes for generations to come."
They also say that their sursis motivé would "...enable this Assembly to engage with the public in a broad discussion regarding the size and style of government they want, the levels of services and benefits they expect and how much they are willing to pay for them so a decision on how best to proceed can be reached before the end of this political term."
The sursis motive and other amendments against the tax review can be read in full HERE.
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