This Is Guernsey

Jo-Anne Spinks

THE first duty of government is to protect the weak and vulnerable in society, while encouraging and maintaining an economic climate for businesses to thrive and produce economic growth. It should not be run as a cartel for business people who are not fully accountable. If elected I would hope to achieve more balance in the House.

It is a disgrace that through mismanagement of building projects the Guernsey public will now have to resort to charity and on sponsorship and marketing promotions to ensure that we have vital facilities such as Castel Hospital and Les Beaucamps School.

With true Guernsey spirit I think we can achieve all this if we pull together and show the States of Guernsey what teamwork means.

If elected as a representative of Castel parish, I would like to see:

* Accountability and transparency to the taxpayer and the introduction of the Freedom of Information Act. Being behind the UK in implementing this act, does immense damage to our international reputation.

* More use of local builders for States projects to save costs on imported labour.

* Instead of allowing outsiders to take the place of unqualified local staff, import professionals on five-year licences across all vital industries to train locals to necessary qualifications.

* Improved international reputation and less legislation, to enable the finance industry to get on with the business of economic growth.

* Sewage treated.

* Urgent reinforcement of sea defences.

* Smoking ban not extended to cars as an impingement of individual freedom.

* A campaign supported by the States, sponsored by local finance and new companies for marketing promotion, benefiting the local tourist industry, to raise money for both Castel Hospital and Les Beaucamps School.

* The Channel Islands to become the offshore centre of Europe.

* Fuel cost aid for pensioners.

Living in Guernsey for 32 years, I think my broad spectrum of experience in tourism, the media, States and finance would bring a balanced debate to the House.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.