This Is Guernsey

Shane Langlois

I am standing for election because I believe that the States has to raise its game to deal both with the consequences of zero-10 and the aftermath of the overspends. Bringing in the income-tax reductions on company profits on 1st January 2008 rather than phasing them in over three years, as would have been sensible, has compounded the problem. How capital expenditure is prioritised, when there are so many essential projects in the pipeline, will define the success or failure of the incoming States.

One of the positives to come from the last States, the Government Business Plan (GBP), is at a very early stage at the moment and is just an incomplete list with no programme or costings. However Guernsey is finally working towards a strategic plan, which sets out the States priorities clearly for debate, provides a reference against which performance can be judged and ensures a degree of continuity after elections. The GBP must be developed and also become a tool for communication with islanders.

It is vital that we move towards a more open form of government, particularly in regard to the debate on the fairness and equality of the new tax strategy. Freedom of Information legislation would encourage such a climate of openness.

Our autonomy as a Crown Dependency must be defended but we cannot rely on bits of paper to achieve this. It is the calibre of our politicians at the conference table that will ensure our continuing independence.

The States current indecisiveness is damaging to the island and to the reputation of our government.

My working life has been spent finding solutions to problems of principle and of detail. I am committed to bringing a greater degree of professionalism to the States.