Quality of life
I believe we must protect the very precious quality of life that the Isle of Man offers. This doesn’t always boil down to money; it is imperative that we act as an independent country where necessary to protect our environment and businesses. We are not part of the European Union, although we are part of Europe. There is a big difference. The way in which we have soaked up and implemented much of their over-burdening, bureaucratic, politically correct legislation, particularly over the last five years, must stop. It is time for the Manx voice to be heard in our Parliament not the heavy, choking hand of the UK or Europe
We only have to look at the
arrogant way in which the UK treated us over the VAT issue, reducing our
overall tax intake by nearly a fifth in one fell swoop and the dismissal
of our reciprocal health agreement, fortunately now reinstated. Even the
UK Justice Committee on Crown Dependencies reported that they had found
undue interference in our affairs, with a paternalistic approach to island
legislation from the UK. This simply must stop, we must tailor solutions
specific to our way of life.
Equal Opportunities
Not everyone in life is born equal or has equal opportunities but it is particularly important, especially on an island like the Isle of Man where there are some very rich individuals, that we ensure that the disadvantaged are not forgotten or pushed aside. Locally that means we must ensure a supply of affordable housing for the young and old and that the Social Service provision for the ill and disabled is world class. <<back to top>>
Taxes <<back to top>>
The Isle of Man must come first. Whilst we can compete in the world of financial services, with the increased cost and benefit of our small Island economy to smaller businesses and in particular farmers, we must act to protect these industries and put our own economic stability first. Taxes should be kept low. Parliament must exercise proper fiscal responsibility with robust scrutiny.
We have in the last two years suffered a major blow when the UK arbitrarily changed the VAT agreement. Whatever happened that enabled a newly-made agreement to be so arbitrarily terminated? Did our politicians get it wrong or was the wool pulled over their eyes? This should never happen again.
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Public Services <<back to top>>
Public services are important to everyone in the Isle of Man. At present the heavy hand of State controls nearly all public services and utilities. This is anathema in a modern world and whilst the State should guarantee public services they should not necessarily be run by the State. Examples of this are the way in which the Manx Electricity Authority has, through bad management and oversight, put the cost of electricity up for all users in the Isle of Man. I am not advocating mass privatisation. I am a great believer in the National Health Service but there must be better oversight and management and if this means trusting private professionals and sharing responsibility between the public and private sector then so be it. <<back to top>>
Human Rights <<back to top>>
Human rights. security and freedom are not good bedfellows, but we need to fight crime and terrorism. The European Union has, via the back door, reduced the effectiveness of our judicial system and the results are clear to see. Let’s stop being bullied by the UK and Europe and protect our own freedoms.
Thank goodness the overly intrusive idea of ID cards has at long last been put to rest in the UK but the continuing softening of sentencing and community services in the UK will lead to pressure in our next parliament to do the same. Let’s make sure we do what’s right from an Isle of Man perspective, not what others think in the UK or Europe.
Good government means trusting people and business. Regulation should be as light as possible and support people’s aspirations for home ownership, starting businesses, pensions and health care provision. It should also support family life and marriage but offer respect for those who chose a different path. It should also promote activity that brings the nation together, promoting our Manx identity through cultural activity, sport and the arts.<<back to top>>
Local Government <<back to top>>
I believe that parliament and government should be
a function of the people it represents and be closer to it rather than
at arm’s length. I would like to see more power vested in our local government
system, instead of what seems to be happening — more centralisation. By
that I also mean that the drivers for new legislation should be Manx requirements
not just slavish echoes of UK or European legislation and regulations
.
I believe strongly in people being able to move around the world but there are times when there needs to be a limit on immigration: after all I wouldn’t be here and let’s face it, the island wouldn’t be what it is today without immigration.
On the other side of the coin, many Manx people work and travel abroad and no one would argue with their right to do this. Strangely, in the Isle of Man we have no proper border controls so we have no idea of who or how many people are at present coming into the Isle of Man and staying. With the requirement for security checks at the airport and the need to take names to travel on the steam packet it would not be beyond the wit of government to collect information on arrivals and departures. I am not, however, in favour of any stringent or further restrictions on travel between the UK and Ireland. <<back to top>>