Deputies Pay More Important Than Overseas Aid?

You could be forgiven for thinking so, given the relative amount of time spent in debates about increasing Overseas Aid (defeated) and Increases to Deputies Pay (Passed). The horrible phrase “Charity begins at home” made an unwelcome number of appearances as some deputies adopted an “I’m alright Jack” stance to the challenging question of whether to increase aid at a time when the budget is, as we all understand, constrained. There were some creditable arguments from those who voted no but wanted to see the level increased as soon as was financially practicable, and some that did their exponents no credit at all who had simply very selfish arguments about looking after ourselves first. In a world where children still die from basic curable diseases, where people walk 10 miles for a container of dirty water, where millions go hungry every night – every pound wisely spent on aid saves lives. Some question whether Guernsey gives too much – well I will agree with them when I see Guernsey people barefoot and starving!