Isle of Man Air Racing Champion Geoffrey Boot, winner of the Manx Air Derby, European Air Racing Championship and Olympic Tribute trophies has set his sights on a new goal, that of becoming a Member of the House of Keys. Geoffrey and his Navigator wife Suzie pictured here in their winning Aeroplane has announced his intention of standing in his home constituency of Glenfaba. He has lived on the outskirts of St. Johns for nearly 20 years at the heart of Glenfaba constituency. Whilst well known Nationally and Internationally for his Air Racing and Aviation exploits, (he currently holds 24 Aviation World Records), his business career is perhaps less known. It spans a wide range of interests building a number of fledgling businesses in property and leisure, publishing, surveying and estate agency into substantial entities. He has held a number of Board positions, that involved negotiation of regulation and legislation at UK , Europe and International level.  

He believes this gives him a sound base from which to launch his political career.  

Geoffrey’s view on the forth coming General Election is that “it is time to change for better Government” that is both more accountable, better managed and more transparent to the Electorate. He believes that the Island has definitely prospered over the last 10 -15years with improved International stature, but is now being held back by a lack of good management, that has consequently led to a number of financial disasters as a result of poor oversight, planning and management. “It’s sad that we are prospering in spite of not because of our Government”, this can’t go on. This he believes can only be put at the door for the Politicians who are at present running our country. He’s quite frank Glenfaba has undoubtedly moved forward over the last 10 years from good inward investment, with 2 new schools and excellent football facilities, but a closer look at the constituency reveals infrastructure problems and the need to address Affordable Housing for lower income Constituents.  

He has spent some time looking at the Isle of Man Government Plan, and there are 80 pieces of proposed legislation over the next 4 or 5 years. “This is simply too much and not necessary the Island is in danger of sinking under this burden of new legislation and regulation, much of it coming from the UK and Europe with no obvious benefit to the Isle of Man”. At local level he is a great believer in our Parish/Commissioner system, and believes that the system should remain intact, perhaps more empowerment and better funded. In terms of National Government, he believes there are at present worrying trends with nearly a quarter of the labour force being employed by the Public Sector and expenditure overall growing far too quickly. Whilst he does not believe in draconian Immigration controls he is also concerned at the total lack of any control on immigration into the Island at present.  

He believes that we need some immigration and as long as unemployment is as low as it is, and the economy benefits from the influx of new people, but too many too quickly could have long term consequences. We need to know just how many people are arriving.  

He espouses what he calls a unique view in Politics, that Politicians should do what the Electorate want them to do, rather than tell the Electorate what they should be doing. Geoffrey at the launch of his campaign is in the process of carrying out a personal survey of all the Glenfaba Electorate before coming up with any manifesto commitments. The result of this survey is going to be made public. He is also a great believer in transparency and being available to the Electorate and if elected will set up dedicated office staff to respond to Constituent enquires and offer help and solutions using conventional as well as new IT methods.  

Along with Geoffrey’s business management skills come some great political contacts in the UK . He has been involved in the last 6 UK General Elections, 3 European Elections and knows many of the Key Players in UK Politics. He believes that contact and experience are going to be ever more valuable in the fast moving and more International world in which the Isle of Man now exists.     

Geoffrey has set up a dedicated web site for his election campaign which can be found at www.geoffreyboot4mhk.org