Election 2008

I grew up in St Martin’s and returned to Guernsey after working in England and abroad. My background is in Mathematics, marketing and IT.

The time for action on the environment is NOW! I believe the majority of islanders are willing to play their part but the States is lagging behind. Progress will be faster if the States genuinely buys into sustainability and every department accepts its duty to lead.

It is possible to reduce our environmental impact whilst maintaining (or even enhancing!) our standard of living. For example, whilst recycling is good, waste reduction is far better. We should have the courage to tackle the problem of (often excess) packaging when it arrives in our island. Not an easy undertaking, but one which could save us millions when commissioning a waste facility. Sewage treatment must also be prioritised.

The States should be bold enough to expand its policy of encouraging alternative modes of transport. By adapting our travel patterns, we could save ourselves some part of the hundreds of millions we spend on private vehicles per annum and simultaneously improve our environment, quality of life and local community.

I would love to see a revival of local communities and community policing; we should be thinking local, small and low impact. Our island-wide community would benefit from improved government transparency and communication.

Continued investment in education is economically essential but, like everything else, requires funding. I don't advocate scrapping 0:10 but we must be ready for outcomes other than its unequivocal success. We should redress the balance between company and personal tax.

The next States will face challenges predictable and unforeseen, local and global, but serious and demanding an agile response. I would like to contribute at this time when we need dynamic people able to suggest innovative solutions.