Three years ago I was elected Deputy following careers in the private and public sectors including former chief officer of Planning.
I have been chairman of the Environment Scrutiny panel and have completed over fifty public hearings and reviews.
As a backbencher, I have lodged many private propositions and gained States agreement to
- important changes to the island plan,
- amendments to planning law
- reduced stamp duty for first time buyers
- survivor’s pensions
- and many others.
Time limits me speaking to only a few of my policies set out in my manifesto and website
In times of economic recession, we must build on our strengths, take opportunities and adapt quickly. We must encourage new enterprises and remove unnecessary bureaucracy. Our education system needs greater emphasis on development of skills to meet local employment needs. We must develop our creative and IT sectors and open new up new sectors, including renewable energy technology. We must support and grow event – led tourism. Just look at the success of Branchage festival and Jersey Live.
Despite the recession, the Island is under pressure from development requiring continued vigilance. We have seen too many out of scale coastline developments which change our Island for ever and must work to keep our Coastal National Park unspoilt. The improvements to our planning system, including a new appeals system, have to be implemented swiftly and efficiently.
We must maintain Jersey’s independent character and support our community and voluntary services .
The 2015 Budget represents a departure from decades of financial prudence, our government is now spending more than we receive. The continued growth in public spending is no longer sustainable. We have to review spending priorities and progress public sector reform. We must look at corporate overheads and review layers of management to ensure they add value to frontline services such as health and Education which we have to protect.
We have to ensure our health service is organized to meet the needs of our ageing population and improve access to primary healthcare for all, not just those who can afford it. I want to make sure we are developing a health service which is right for Jersey and are not simply copying the NHS .
Above all, there is a need to improve our government. We need our government to work in a way which suits our close community and builds consensus rather than encourages adversarial politics. We need to rebuild lost trust in our government and restore confidence in it.
For these reasons I am standing for election as Senator.
In this election, you have a choice of voting for change or for more of the same from the existing Ministers .We need a fresh approach. I have the capability and experience to deliver the changes which a great many people have told me they want to see.
I humbly ask for your vote as Senator. Thank you
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