Candidate Views - Onchan
Click to viewWhat is your view on health care provision on the Island?
We live on an Island that has very good health care services, largely based on free health care to all eligible Island residents. The Island has a national health service it can be proud of at both primary level, G.P's etc. and also first rate hospital services at Nobles Hospital and at Ramsey. For people needing specialist treatment not available on the Isle of Man this is provided by specialist teams at U.K Hospitals.
The Government's estimated net spending on Health Services in 2011/12 is £121.37m, 22.76% of the total budget.
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It is disturbing to hear about any potential shortcomings in our health care provision. Because by its very nature, you need it most when you are least capable of coping with any problems. We must make health care a top priority and not allow anything to distract us from that. There can be no doubt that funding will be difficult and I stress once again, priorities are the key. With an aging population and new treatments, we have to find the resources to enable us to provide the service. People must feel confident that they are receiving the best possible treatment, otherwise it will have a detrimental effect on their recovery. I believe also that there is much room for improvement in the administration process, in hospitals there is no room for clerical error or oversight.
Click to viewDoes the Island provide a good education?
Yes, the Island does provide quality educational facilities at primary, secondary and tertiary levels with high standards of teaching across the Island for a wide range of subjects. The buildings and facilities, in many cases, are available for community use. The Island’s Tertiary Grants System provides the financial support, subject to eligibility, for students to further their education at a diverse range of Colleges and Universities.
Estimated net spending on the Department of Education and Children in 2011/12 is £95.69m, 17.95% of the total budget.
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Education of the population should always be regarded as investment in our economic future. We need a well motivated, well qualified, and dedicated workforce that will attract the businesses to employ them. Home grown professionals will always have an inbred loyalty to their homeland and they will offer a stability factor to any business or service.
Click to viewShould the Island be independent?
The Island's constitutional status is that of a Crown Dependency and our relationship with the European Union is determined by the provisions of Protocol 3 to the U.K. Treaty of Accession, which has been the case since 1973. Our relationships with the U.K. are governed by a number of agreements, including the Customs & Excise Agreement and also Health and Social Security -------- separate but both reciprocal.
The Island's relationship with the U.K. and internationally has evolved over the last 25 years so that the Island is now able to negotiate agreements direct with other countries such as the tax information exchange agreements and double taxation treaties.
Any further moves for greater autonomy leading to more independence would require substantial re-negotiation of existing agreements and clear long term benefits for the people and businesses of the Island. As we trade worldwide and are part of the global economy we need to keep under constant review our relationships with the U.K. and international organisations.
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Independence is often spoken about without appreciating the complexity of the issue. There is no doubt that we must do a comprehensive evaluation and keep it updated on an almost daily basis. It would be a radical and possibly irreversible step, but that should not deter us from constantly monitoring the implications.
We must have contingency plans drawn up that are ready to execute in case we are forced down that avenue. But we should publish the difficulties and pitfalls, so that every member of our population has the opportunity to understand all the effects it will have on them and invite them to input their views. In short it is an option!
Click to viewWhat are your views on the islands taxation regime and VAT?
For many years the Island has maintained a low taxation regime which has encouraged many companies and businesses to establish themselves here. This in turn has led to employment opportunities requiring many different skills. At present we have comparatively low unemployment levels. Having a zero/ten tax base for companies has been beneficial to the Island but recently the EU Code of Conduct Group has been scrutinising our tax regime and as a result steps were taken by Treasury to remove ARI from April 2012 so that Island is not seen to be competing unfairly.
The Customs and Excise Agreement with the U.K has been the subject of review but in the short to medium term it would not be practical to replace this mechanism for collecting indirect tax. Long term all options can be reviewed but the benefits of Manx based businesses having access to the wider European VAT area should not be underestimated nether should the free movement of goods into Europe be down-played.
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The "Common Purse Agreement" has served us well since around 1979, but sadly very few of our politicians seem to have looked at all the details of it. It has been the major provider of the Island’s revenue for more than thirty years and now we are being told that we were over paid. Sadly with 40% of our future income gone, we must reduce our ongoing commitments accordingly. The Charles Dickens character, Mr Micawber springs to mind!
If for so many years we have been over paid by the UK, then why did we spend the cash and not keep ourselves ready for the time when they came back at us? It seems that our leaders expected the UK to over pay us forever!
Click to viewIs inflation hurting the Isle of Man?
Yes, inflation affects every person and every business on the Island. It erodes the value of assets, reduces real income returns and has a detrimental effect on energy costs, raw material prices and food costs. Unfortunately, inflation tends to be a world-wide problem and one in which the Island has little influence or ability to affect the rates of imported inflation. Government can help in certain instances through the benefits systems.
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With earnings fixed and prices going up, it is inevitable that we will all be worse off. In particular, the lower income brackets will be very hard hit. They do not have the spare cash for luxuries now, so they will dip below the poverty line very quickly. That is all very clinical talk, but the real truth is, people who are on pensions or fixed incomes will be severely hit and will truly suffer if we do not act swiftly. I wish that I could give comfort and say that inflation is a thing of the past, but it is not, it is a problem for the future. Inflation is a double-edged sword. Whilst it helps over spending, irresponsible and wasteful governments by eroding their debts, it persecutes the already struggling and eats into the hard earned savings of many of our residents. So it stands to reason that we must stop and concentrate all our efforts on reducing the unnecessary waste, the silly bureaucracy and all unnecessary expenditure. We must concentrate on maintaining a reasonable standard of living for everyone.
Click to viewShould there be state owned monopolies or free market competition?
In a mixed economy there is a need for essential services such as Water and Electricity to be publicly owned as these are key infrastructure services. Private enterprise, such as oil and gas companies compete against one another to provide heating services. In off-island transport, the IOMSPCo., whilst having the benefits and obligations of the User Agreement, competes for freight services and also as far as passenger services competes with the airlines.
The history of open competition for sea ferry services brings to mind the situation when Manx Line started. Open competition brought both ferry services to their knees because there was insufficient trade at that time to support two ferry services. This led to the introduction of the User Agreement which regulates service levels, pricing and routes.
In any consideration of providing services, whether private or public sector, a balance has to be struck in order that services are provided at a fair price to the consumer.
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Nationalisation has never been a raging success anywhere in the world but then again privatisation is only selling the family silver and leaving us open to exploitation. I believe that the IOM should retain full control of all the utilities it currently owns, but we must adopt a much more business like approach to managing them.
Click to viewShould we have an open seas policy like the open sky’s policy?
We should be careful with this issue as sea transport is our lifeline and I would invite you to read the answer in the preceding box.
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For decades the IOMSPC served us well and we should recognise that the problems started with the introduction of a second carrier. The user agreement has caused many of the issues that prevail today, it has become a company asset rather than a restrictive document. I predict that when the base rate of interest starts to climb, it will trigger severe problems in this area and I cannot divulge my preferences now because it is possible that I might have to be part of a negotiation process if I am elected. I would be foolish to show my hand here and damage the process later. In the coming few years this vital link will have to be reviewed and government will have to be heavily involved in that process.
Click to viewDoes the Island do enough to protect its environment?
We live on an Island with great natural beauty and a healthy environment. However, in an ever changing world where natural resources, particularly fossil fuels, are being depleted there will be a need to keep a weather eye on the use of alternative energy sources such as wind, tidal or wave power. However, there will continue to be a need to maintain investment in our traditional power generation sources.
As well as the natural environment we also must consider the built environment to ensure that our planning and building regulation policies are tailored to the special requirements of the Island to allow change and growth.
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Protection of the environment is a real issue and we must act responsibly. Valid and worthwhile initiatives should be adopted and every opportunity taken to reduce our carbon footprint.
But we have to be realistic and not jump on any bandwagon for the sake of it. Anything we do must be carefully examined and applied to our unique Island environment. It saddens me that so many people are happy to accept that new big lorries calling at your door is helping anything.
It is a complicated subject and it must be thought through. I have seen far too many initiatives driven forward for political gain, without a care for any true benefit. Unhappily, people are too ready to believe anything they read and do not question the logic behind the proposals. All I ask is Think! Beforehand.
Click to viewWhere do you see the future of the Islands economy?
The Island has a well diversified economy which has seen continuous growth over the last 25 years. In a mature economy some sectors grow, some decline but there is always a need to introduce new employment opportunities so that the economy has a broad base. The Department of Economic Development is charged with seeking to support existing businesses and to find new businesses willing to invest on the Island. This will help the economy directly by employing labour and contributing to the Island’s exchequer.
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Diversification is always worth investigation, but it must be realised that the world is a very competitive place and we need to keep the share of the business that we have. The Financial services industry is the mainstay of our economy and there is nothing that can even compare with it available to us. We should always try to attract cash to our Island and encourage new and innovative enterprise, but keep in mind where the bulk of our wealth comes from.
Click to viewWhere do you think new jobs can be generated?
The status of the Island, having autonomy in legislation, regulation and taxation has enabled businesses to establish and maintain a presence here. As with most Island economy’s with few natural resources and with the added costs of import and export the Isle of Man has to develop high tech, high value industries and the space industry and the e-gaming businesses are examples of this.
In this digital age there are probably still opportunities to develop internet based enterprises because of the resilient telecoms and data facilities available.
We should also not forget that many existing businesses continue to grow and expand and the manufacturing sector is an example of this growth. So the Island must constantly look to support existing sectors as well as encouraging new enterprises.
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New Jobs are going to be increasingly difficult to secure. The world is full of Jurisdictions after our business and we have to be realistic and cut our cloth accordingly. Our regulations and taxes need to reflect our need to retain the business that will employ our people in the future. The licence application, for a truly international casino development has been held up by our Government for years. Costing over twenty million pounds, if approved, it would create new jobs and bring money to the island and cost us nothing.
Click to viewShould the Chief Minister and MLC’s be publicly elected?
No ------ Members of the House of Keys are elected under the "Representation of the People Act 1995". As this suggests, the public should rightly expect their representatives to accept and exercise the responsibility given to them to act in the best interests of the Island. By having the benefit of working in close association with potential candidates for the role of Chief Minister and knowing their true qualities, I believe Tynwald Members are best placed to make the appropriate decision.
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I would like to think so but the public have to take this duty seriously and not just vote for candidates because they help in the community. Just imagine the situation if we selected airline pilots or surgeons in the hospital by a public election? Would you want to put your life in the hands of a person whose only qualification or experience was at being good with people.
The Chief Minister has a very important role and we cannot put him in place because "He Deserves A Go". Or because, "His father delivered our milk". Let us start putting people with experience and qualifications into positions of responsibility.