A DEBATE about the island switching to Central European Time which had been scheduled to take place this evening has been cancelled. Peter Roffey, who is taking the idea to the States this month, organised the two-team discussion to give islanders an opportunity to voice concerns.

But his idea had to be abandoned after it emerged that no one had come forward to argue against the switch.

The format was due to have been a set piece debate with two people in each team examining the arguments on both sides.

‘This was the second attempt to organise a debate of this sort,’ said Deputy Roffey. ‘The Guernsey Consumer Group had planned a similar discussion but also had to give up on the idea when no one was willing to argue for the status quo.

‘This was despite the fact that its chairman, Roy Bisson, appealed through the media for those in favour of the anti-eurotime case to come forward.’

Advocate John Langlois had been recruited as the independent chairman.

The Guernsey Press has printed several letters from islanders strongly opposing the switch, which aims to put Guernsey clocks an hour ahead of the UK.

‘I know that he ‘Advocate Langlois’ has contacted a number of the most vocal opponents of the move to European Time from Guernsey’s business community, but none was willing to engage in public debate,’ Deputy Roffey said.

‘While clearly disappointed that the event cannot now go ahead, I feel that I have shown myself to be willing to test the arguments on both sides in a forum where they could be examined in depth.

‘We must now rely on States members to probe the pros and cons in the rather different format of a debate in the House later this month.’