This week Guernsey’s 38 elected representatives – along with two from Alderney – will vote on whether to adopt Policy and Resources’ (P&R) tax package.

Hundreds of people – of all ages and from all walks of life – crowded the steps of the Royal Court to make their feelings heard.

Several Deputies from both sides of the debate – including P&R President Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez – arrived more than an hour early to speak to local people before they went in to the Assembly.

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As the time got closer to 9:30, when the States Assembly was due to start, latecomers were greeted by loud boos – for those supporting GST – and cheers – for those opposed.

As she went up the steps, Deputy de Sausmarez was subjected to jeers of “shame on you”, “we don’t trust you” and “resign”, peppered among the raucous chants of “no to GST”.

  • Lindsay de Sausmarez speaks to a woman in a crowd at an anti-GST demo.
    Pictured: P&R President Lindsay de Sausmarez talks to members of the public at Wednesday’s anti-GST protest.

The protest was loud and peaceful, with robust conversations from both sides.

The States of Guernsey is expected to sit for three days this week, with the final vote on P&R’s tax proposals on Friday.