Candidate Views - Rushen
Click to viewWhat is your view on health care provision on the Island?
We have a good level of health care provision in the Isle of Man. Of course we should always strive to do better, and over the past five years I am pleased that Government has maintained Health expenditure at or above the rate of inflation.
In the next five years we must do all we can to protect our health services. I have while canvassing been made aware of many examples of administrative inefficiency - more must be done to minimise such inefficiencies. We must also tackle waiting lists going forward as the length of waiting is excessive in a number of areas - consultants must be discouraged from growing NHS lists to encourage patients to go private.
Generally good, however despite the fortune spent on a Drug & Alcohol Strategy services for patients in these areas, and in Mental Health services are still short of all they should be.
Social Care is also patchy in the quality of services provided, Adult Social Services are generally well run, and in Rushen I am glad that my efforts to get Southlands fully utilised have been successful.
Children's services however,have a troubling reputation and Ifirmly believe an independent professional Ombudsman service is neccessary to get some genuine accountability back into this important area.
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I think it's pretty good really!
On the whole provision is excellent. There are two issues that I have identified that needs addressing. The length of waiting lists - we must do better. The other bigger matter is providing equal care for our elderly. Current system where some people have to pay for care is a stealth form of inheritance tax and morally wrong. As a caring society we must endeavour to balance and offer equal care for all without penalty of holding assets.
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Click to viewDoes the Island provide a good education?
Again we have a good education system. We must do all we can to maintain the standards we already achieve and continue to aim higher.
Our main resource is our people - we must therefore ensure that all students continue to have the opportunity to extend their education either through vocational training or at degree level. Clearly the growing cost of tertiary education needs to be considered so I would favour continuing our current levels of funding for first degree courses but perhaps looking at part funded part top up loans for post graduate courses.
We need to look more carefully at preschool education. Currently if you are lucky enough to live in an area with a Department of Education nursery you get an excellent free service. If you don't you have to pay if you're there's a private nursery in your area. This is not fair and as we can't afford to extend the service any further perhaps everyone should pay a modest amount so that a more comprehensive service can be introduced.
Yes. Our primary and secondary education is of a very high quality. We should be especially proud of our record of supporting university students by way of tuition fees. UK students typically graduate with debts of around £30,000; Manx students are supported to such a degree that this is not their experience. Given the rise in UK University tuition fees we need to undertake an informed and honest debate about how we can sustainably manage this important matter in the future.
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Yes
Yes and its important we maintain support in this area including further education both academically and vocationally. Investing in our youth is investing in our future.
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Click to viewShould the Island be independent?
I have always believed that the Isle of Man should continue the process of constitutional reform begun in the late 1950s early 60s which has been leading us to greater independence from the UK. We must do more to build links and strengthen existing friendships with other countries and consider all options available to us to ensure a stronger more secure future for our Island nation.I support a fully costed review of all the options available for our future.
In my 2006 manifesto I wrote; Our principal relationship is with the United Kingdom and it is crucial that we maintain this in the most positive manner possible. This remains as true as ever. The next Government must make serious and concerted efforts to promote a better understanding of the Isle of Man generally and especially within Westminster.
Full Independence in my view is a non-starter; we are simply too small to go alone and our efforts should be made towards maintaining and enhancing our working relationship with the UK whilst also working hard to maintain our autonomy. These two views are complementary.
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Yes
It's time to review our relationship with the UK. Been over 10 years since we last reviewed and much has changed both politically and economically. We must update with a comprehensive and independent report on all constitutional options so we may examine what is in the best interests of the Isle of Man and people who live here.
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Click to viewWhat are your views on the islands taxation regime and VAT?
We must do all we can to maintain our low tax status as this is our main competitive advantage. We are still getting a good deal on VAT and have both 'fixed the roof while the sun shone' and 'put money aside for a rainy day' during the times of plenty.
Reducing public sector expenditure at a time when our economy is being buffeted by the massive financial uncertainties and turmoil facing the global economy, will be difficult and must be done with great care. Government expenditure represents about twenty five percent of our economy so savage cuts at a time of private sector fragility would be unwise as they may tip us over the edge into recession.
In the short term it may be prudent to use some of our reserves while maintaining the ‘managed retreat’ approach to spending cuts as currently adopted by Government in the past few years. This approach has delivered a fifty million pounds saving in two years and has delivered this largely without the need to consider compulsory redundancies.
The VAT sharing negotiaions which this Government has been conducting for several years amost led to the severence of that agreement. This would have quickly resulted in economically catastrophic consequences with, among other things, customs barriers between the Island and the UK.With significantly diminished VAT receipts over the forthcoming years the next administration will need to live within means which must make a contraction of services a matter of honest and urgent debate. This should have commenced at the outset of each of the VAT sharing negotiations but for whatever reasons the last Government has failed to make serious inroads into this important area.
At a time of 6 - 7% inflation and global financial uncertainty our tax regime needs to remain competitive whilst also meeting the necessary services Government will provide. An overdue and very important policy debate about what it is Government will and will not do in the future must take place as a matter of urgency.
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I believe the time has come for a comprehensive analysis on whether the Common Purse agreement continues to be in the interest of the Isle of Man.
As part of the above review we must conduct a full economic impact study on our taxation system. Including a potential VAT parity arrangement with UK to ensure all IOM trading companies pay VAT on IOM.
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Click to viewIs inflation hurting the Isle of Man?
Clearly with pay freezes and significant rates of inflation people are becoming worse off. That said we are in a far stronger position in the Isle of Man than our neighbours.
Inflation is presently circa 6 - 7%. At a time of no or low wage increases and with many individuals on fixed incomes then of course inflation is affecting individuals in the Isle of Man. Businesses are also feeling the pinch and in certain sectors - such as medical inflation the rate is in double figures. There is no one economic or political mechanism to address such a situation; once again the first an most important matter to resolve is for the next government to decide what kind of governmental model it wants for the future. This may well be an acrimonious debate and painful decisions will almost certainly flow from it, but I believe it is absolutely necessary.
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Yes
Absolutely. Man/woman in the street is feeling the pinch. Pay freezes, reduced business opportunities and stagnated house prices with increased prices for energy and food prices. People are living of the same income as 5 years ago with increase costs.
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Click to viewShould there be state owned monopolies or free market competition?
There is no 'one size fits all' solution here. What is clear is that there are numerous examples which demonstrate that the scale of our economy is not sufficient for free market competition to provide a stable service.
I have always firmly believed that utilities such as the MEA and WASA should remain in public ownership. As we move towards a low carbon economy, electricity will play a vital role in our domestic and commercial lives. Water is also, of course, a fundamental commodity for our community.
The Review of Scope & Structure of the Isle of Man Government is an important documentwhich considers the advantages and benefits of a variety of comprehensive changes. I believe that by refusing to even consider this the last government has missed an important opportunity - this debate MUST now take place as a matter of urgency.
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In general the government should not use the people's money to compete with private enterprises. However in some circumstances where there is only room for one provider perhaps the government offers the best proposition.
Scope and Structure report reopened and updated. There were several areas identified as potential cost savings by reducing the scope of government and this must be examined.
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Click to viewShould we have an open seas policy like the open sky’s policy?
No. This is much more complex than it first appears. I support any measures to develop increased low cost travel to the Isle of Man, as we have a fantastic tourism product if only people could afford to come here. Provided we can introduce lower cost travel, we will have a long term sustainable sector which although likely to remain a small part of our economic output can have a big impact on the overall quality of life of Manx people as well as visitors. If elected, I will lobby for a root and branch review of air and sea travel to see what more we could do to reduce the cost of travel to and from the Island.
As a former Chairman of the OFT I cannot follow the purported logic of the last Government to discontinue their investigation into Steam Packet passenger and freight prices. I fully acknowledge and value the service IoMSPCo provide for what is a small community with a small harbour in Douglas; this precludes many, indeed the overwhelming number of ferries which pass by the island utilising our route. The steam packet also provide a level of service which is well above the minimum level laid down in the User Agreement.
All of this suggests to me that we, as a small island with our particular circumstances, are in a position where we should maintain our User Agreement with robust and regular meaningful reflection about the details of such an arrangement.
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Experience teaches us that this is an impractical suggestion.
We need a consistent well-regulated policy for both air and sea links. The main purpose being that the regulation protects the interests of the Island.
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Click to viewDoes the Island do enough to protect its environment?
No we should do more in my view.
Energy costs have a massive impact on people and as, 95% of our energy is bought from other countries, it is important to secure energy resources over which we have control. Use of affordable and proven renewable energy technologies should be embraced, and measures to reduce energy waste encouraged as Government works to wean the Isle of Man off its massive reliance on imported energy.
Government has a good record in insulating public sector properties and needs to do more to encourage private households to do the same. There is a clear economic imperative to do this, as we collectively spend over £100m on imported energy and every pound saved is a pound which can instead be spent in our local economy. Energy prices currently have a massive impact on Manx inflation, so we need to reduce our energy waste.
While the private sector ‘energy champions’ established through the former Department of Trade and Industry have had a major role in changing cultures across Manx businesses, more can and should be done to provide incentives for reduced energy consumption particularly through grants for use of low energy technologies.
I will continue to support measures to encourage greater use of more sustainable means of transport. A cycle to work scheme could be introduced with modest funds raised from increasing charges on higher polluting vehicles. Public transport needs to be cheaper and more customer friendly to encourage people to leave their cars at home.
As DAFF Minister, I was very pleased to expand the number of protected areas of land and seabed. I also began the work to get the IoM signed up to the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity. Conservation work should continue to ensure that our biological diversity is retained, working with, and where possible led by, farmers and fishermen to better manage our natural environment.
The benefit of the IRIS scheme has been to limit the incidence of discharging raw sewerage into the sea. This basic principle must be welcomed, environmental considerations have never been higher in our thinking and this is reflected in legislation and working practices.
One of the blessings we all enjoy is living in an Island which has an abundance of natural beauty; we must all do what is necessary to maintain this.
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NO
It meets a reasonable level compared with other nations but can always do more. I believe we need an Energy & Natural Resources Division so government can make a greater commitment to this important area and also aim to reduce our dependency on imported energy, currently 95%.
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Click to viewWhere do you see the future of the Islands economy?
To ensure that sustainable economic growth is maintained and a more diverse economy developed we need to reinforce and enhance our collective ability to identify emerging markets and back winners. The creation of the Department of Economic Development was a significant step in the right direction. This relatively new Department is focusing on delivering better value for money through more precise targeting of promotion spending, improving performance measurement, and working closely with business. It needs to strengthen high potential existing sectors, and to develop new ones, as the Island has successfully done in the past. Devising and implementing a new economic development strategy for Government is an urgent priority.
With limited resources we have to spend money wisely but if we are to find the next "big thing" in business we need to be prepared to take considered risk and spend some "seed corn" money on emerging new sectors. If significant progress is to be made Government needs robustly to defend this "considered risk" approach against the "blame and shame" culture often engendered by the media and some Tynwald members.
Departments of Government must actively engage with all economic sectors to ensure the best possible environment for business to thrive. Such engagement, will not of course, guarantee that business gets everything its own way - the overall needs of our community must come first - but it should allow for more business-friendly decisions.
More than ever Tynwald needs to work as a team. The constant back biting and negativity which has become increasingly prevalent in recent years is undermining our ability to succeed.
Measures to diversify our economy have been quite successful over the past decade and with an uncertain global financial outlook, it is important that we continue to look for new sectors for future expansion as well as doing all that we can to maintain the finance sector.
Significant expansion of our embryonic "clean tech" sector is a must. We are well placed not only to exploit the opportunities created by the UK's expansion of its renewable energy programme, but also to encourage and support research and development companies specialising in emerging "clean" technology.
The Department of Economic Development should continue to develop strategies and support packages to assist in the establishment of such new sectors. Tynwald and Government must allow the new Department the freedom to take considered risks in exploring new economic sectors.
This election takes place against a global backdrop of financial uncertainty and instability. Our main trading parters deal in GB£ or the ill starred and problemeatic Euro. Issues for these economies which we have absoultely no control over may adversely affect our trading opportunities.
Where we have been successful is in identifying niche markets and playing to our strengths and making the most of our flexibility and speed of response. I have personally witnessed this as the political member in the DTI with responsibility for the Ship and Aircraft Registries.
In each case my role as a politician was to facilitate and support the excellent professional practice of our officers and their private sector counterparts. We must re-engage this 'can do' supporting mindset rather than the jobs worth mentality/bureaucracy which has become prevalent is certain parts of the public sector. This is an absolutely pressing matter which the next administation must adress robustly.
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Mainly finance sector and associated professions.
Diversification must be a priority. Our success in various areas can be built upon by creating an enterprise zone to attract more and new industry to the Island. Equally I believe we must form a strategy to help our finance sector dispel the negative "tax haven" label. Government led initiative to create an International Centre for Social Finance can pay dividends in many ways. This new growing global industry is founded on managing money that delivers a profit whilst returning social benefit. Sustainable and ethical investment. Social Finance on the Isle of Man. Creating a Manx National Savings Bond can help our economy by encouraging people to invest in the Isle of Man and not the UK.
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Click to viewWhere do you think new jobs can be generated?
Clean tech sector. UK has hugely ambitious targets for renewable energy - 80% by 2050. We should be able to significantly benefit from this new market place.
Despite all of the understandably worrying issues facing us we whould guard against unwarranted pessimism; our economy is worth over £3Billion annually and it is still growing and diversifying. Our financial foundations, including our international AAA credit rating will need to remain strong to support the next Government's overdue and pressing financial re-modelling programme. All parts of the private sector can benefit from Government support (please see previous question)but this does not just mean expenditure of public money. Government must actively become more responsive to the needs of industry - in short listen and respond better. One simple example is the interpretation of hygiene regulations which in the Isle of Man ban dogs from bars and cafes. In the Lake District, where they have the same legislation, this lucrative market is encouraged and is worth millions to their economy - the next Manx administration needs to change this attitude and make the growth and securtiy needs of our private sector their priority.
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This is not the function of government.
The private sector should be encouraged by all means available by government, save for the direct provision of money.
As stated above an Enterprise Zone is a perfect vehicle for job creation. Attracting industries like the renewables, digital, clean-tech and new-age manufacturing are jobs of the future and can be a resource for the Island.
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Click to viewShould the Chief Minister and MLC’s be publicly elected?
Yes to both
I believe that it is a duty and responsibility of elected Tynwald members to decide upon the best person for the role of Chief Minister.
The requirement to be elected to become a member of the Legilative Council is a stern one; a candidate must achieve at least 13 out of 24 MHKs votes - this a much stiffer test than most if not all Keys members. If a workable way can be found to bring forward an arrangement which will allow for MLCs to be required to face a popular election then I would welcome it. No-one has managed this so far and the system we have works pretty well in my experience. Ditching this for a system which the mover of one Bill acknowledged as ' not perfect' is bizarre - you wouldn't buy a used car on such a recommendation - so why interfere with our constitution in such a reckless and ill-considered way?
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This is an impractical proposal as matter stand.
I believe that the next Tynwald must deal primarily with financial issues and thus electoral reform may be an unwelcome diversion.
Not convinced CM should be publicly elected. An open debate needs to be aired so the people can understand the policies and views of CM candidates. As it stands the people elect MHK's to make decisions on their behalf and for this I would vote for the CM who most aligns their policy and views with my manifesto.
Not necessary to publicly elect MLC's. Return them to primary function, reduce responsibility and subsequent pay then a different MLC will be required and public perception might change.
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