Tuesday, 27th July 2021 — The Anguillian newspaper’s front-page article published on July 16th read, “PREMIER: GST BILL GOING TO HOUSE FOR PASSAGE Tax Rate Decided at 13 Percent”. In addition, the full back-page ad from Concerned Business Owners printed in the July 23rd edition had a bolded headline: “IRMA. COVID. AND NOW, GST?” Both of these newsflashes compelled me to share my opinion on the above-mentioned subject.
With the upcoming Emancipation Day on August 1st, I wanted to scrutinise the Government of Anguilla’s Goods and Services Tax Bill. It’s relevant to our unshackling from repressive systems imposed in this British overseas dependency. We must emancipate ourselves from GST – for if we do not rise up as the People United and change these systems of governance and taxation inherited from the Colonisers, then we will forever remain subjugated to the rules of Her Majesty’s Government.
The Premier and Ministers’ actions show they’re bent on keeping all ‘a we in tow according to the UK Overseer’s decrees. It’s perplexing how the GOA is determined to push this taxation matter forward in spite of the People’s petitions against it. The Goods and Services Tax Select Committee was established to hear citizens’ pleas and tasked to present a report to the House of Assembly.
Nevertheless, the GOA’s duly elected representatives have clearly indicated they’ll move forward with GST Bill approval no matter what the Petitioners proclaim. How will we ensure Government does not bulldoze this tax through?
As we celebrate slavery’s abolition, we must probe whether we’re truly free today or still mentally enslaved to jobs, debts and dominating systems that are outdated. Me thinks, it’s time for another Anguilla Revolution to protect Anguillians’ rights to self-determine our destiny.
Granted, we need a national coffer to support the state’s infrastructure. Public funds must be collected to cover such expenses. Yet, as a small population of taxpayers/householders, we cannot afford ever-increasing taxes, prices and fees for goods, services and everything. There is no relief nor compassion – except when fuel surcharges are lowered or property tax payments discounted.
The government’s operations are supposed to be in the best interests of the populace. Yet, often they’re not. Anguilla’s debts aren’t solely to be paid off by the Public. The GOA must act responsibly in how it manages public funds and maintains a sensible balanced budget.
For decades, the GOA was spending extravagantly in a number of areas – personal emoluments, temporary staff, local/international travel and subsistence, supplies, materials, hosting, entertaining, etc. Without cutting staffing and salaries, the GST targeted EC$22 million could be accrued by a ten per cent savings in expenditures such as allowances, maintenance services, rental of assets/heavy equipment, professional consultancy services, training and sundry expenses.
Rather than finding alternatives to GST, GOA is pushing its agenda without bearing in mind the outcome of public consultations and hearings. Why is Government unwilling to seek other viable solutions that are more palatable to the Taxpayers’ pocket?
Ms Melinda K.M. Goddard, MBA, Principal of ClienTell® Consulting, LLC, presented some excellent alternatives at the GST Select Committee hearing on July 7th, which are viewable on the HOA Facebook page. This detailed presentation outlined areas in which Government can significantly reduce costs.
The GOA must find ways to sustainably manage public funds and eliminate misuse. If recurrent spending is lessened, operational changes are made, past due taxes collected, as well wealthy developers’ duty-free concessions abolished, then the nation’s debts will surely decrease.
It’s irresponsible to dump the country’s financial woes onto the People – and unjust for citizens to continue paying more. Private sector businesses lay off staff, reduce work or close when they cannot afford to keep persons employed or operate an establishment. The government needs to do similarly. If the administrative authorities for running this small island developing state are efficient in managing the nation’s public funds, then we can become debt-free.
The change we imagined forthcoming with the APM Government – to improve our livelihoods – seems merely to down-press us further. Elected leaders need to think outside the box of what foreign agencies demand. If Electorates’ views are ignored, then we’re slaves to the ruling class and will continue to be taxed until we’re penniless.
Where is our self-determining Anguillian spirit? How will we survive if things keep going up whilst our incomes dwindle? May God help us to transform the economy. Otherwise, we’ll become poor – broke.
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Kay M Ferguson is a contributing columnist who uses a nom de plume, The Empress Extraordinaire. Her words encourage us to explore who we are, evolve as human beings and transform our world. Link with Kay at anguillawriter@gmail.com.
