Hustings Speech I

To save having to listen right through the video – here is the text of my speech given at St Saviour, St Clement , St Mary and St Lawrence (with variations) . Week 2 speech will be posted later

Good Evening, Ladies and Gentlemen

The new Senator will have just twenty months before the general Election to make an impact. There will be no time to learn how to use States procedures.

My experience in the private, public and voluntary sectors will enable me to hit the ground running. I know what works in the States, as a States Deputy

During three years I brought 21 private members propositions & amendments, half were approved (see my record on this website), and I lodged over 119 questions and held ministers  to account as a Chairman of a Scrutiny panel

The Council of Ministers have become out of touch with the public. There is almost a bunker mentality. Their decisions are defended, at any cost.  The public have lost confidence with government.

We need a new direction. I can offer that new direction

But my challenge is not just about style.

Public spending is no longer under control. The wrong people get hit by Council of Ministers (COM) cuts, Gardeners, cleaners, and front line workers. Voluntary redundancy means loosing some of our best people.

We have seen the shambolic £5 M new hospital saga, there is no sign of the promised review of our tax system yet COM are racking up the tax on middle Jersey.

Without a mandate, COM propose to introduce so called charges, tax increases in disguise,

They have made NO progress in reforming zero ten to tax the profits of non-resident corporations who trade locally disadvantaging local businesses.  They have attacked our young working families by reducing their support for child care and attacked pensioner’s benefits.

They have given up on controlling immigration. They plan to build on open spaces and promote dense “town cramming” housing developments, damaging the quality of town life.

Departmental silos rule. For decades States chief officers have defended their empires which impose layers of management cost on their front line services which have to suffer cuts year after year.  The recent PAC report proves this approach has failed. We can no longer afford salaries of £200 k plus pensions of £3 Million, and golf trips costing £20K

We have to freeze tax increases and halt new charges until our house is in order

We need a new Senator who will be open and honest , listens to the public and works to gain our peoples commitment, A Senator who can challenge constructively and build policy. In short we need leadership.

If elected , I will bring forward proposals to require  ministers to rethink and freeze new charges . I have no axe to grind, no career to pursue. If elected I will resign my employment. I promise to work hard for you

I respectfully ask you trust me with your vote .  I wont let you down

Thank you for listening

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One comment on “Hustings Speech I
  1. This blog was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found
    something which helped me. Thank you!