Election 2008

Although most of us like to criticise our local politicians, history shows that for the best part the States has got things right - sometimes more by luck than judgement.

However, the days of "muddling through" are over. The last States took up the baton in the areas of a new tax strategy and the Government Business Plan, the job of the next States will be to carry these policies forward, further refining them as experience dictates. The new States will also have to tackle a whole host of problems that have been largely avoided in the past – waste management, beach defences and capital overspends being classic examples.

For the period 2008 – 2012 the States is going to need honest, forthright and steadfast deputies who have the courage to adopt unpopular policies and who stand firm on difficult issues. The last thing the Island needs at this time is a house that deliberates endlessly but achieves little. At the same time the population wants a government with sufficient humility to hold its hand up and say "we got it wrong".

The next States must be caring but at the same time it must adopt policies that place responsibility for a person's welfare on the individual concerned – the days of giving social benefits to persons who act irresponsibly must be brought to an end - the burden to the taxpayer is simply too great.

I believe that I have many of the skills and qualities required to help carry some of these new issues forward – in particular in social policy which I believe is in very serious need of a complete and far reaching review.

I would ask that when you vote on 23 April you bear these matters in mind. If you agree with me please give me your vote.