STEWART; Kevin Andrew

Manifesto to follow...

Many know me as a broadcaster and founder of Island Fm. I was also CEO of two large radio groups and have a wealth of commercial experience. For eight years I served as a main board member of the RadioCentre representing commercial radio to the UK government and the regulator Ofcom.

I live in St Sampson with my wife Vikki and my dog Max and have always taken a prominent role in Guernsey life with my charity work over the last 25 years. I am standing because I believe we need some common sense and action in the next States.

Education – Dennis Mulkerrins review was excellent. It was clear, concise and written in plain English. Education is at the centre of all we are and all we do. We cannot fail either our children or adults that wish to retrain. Our primary school children should get the best start possible at an age where their minds are so accepting. We cannot have children turning up for secondary education with a below par reading or maths age. Good teachers wherever they come from need to be retained; children need continuity, so let’s have a special housing licence category to achieve this NOW.

Law & Order – It was a pity that in the last report from Guernsey Police there was not a single £ sign anywhere to be seen. In future the public need to know both how the Police are performing and how much it is costing.

Where are the Police Pushangs? I would like to see many more police on bicycles, day and night around the Island. In my view this would lead to effective beat policing and better interaction between Police and public. On a pushbike you hear more, see more and are highly mobile, furthermore they have the benefit of being green.

Population – The Island is a finite size and it will start to get very uncomfortable if the population continues to grow unchecked. Traffic problems will increase; our green areas and recreational space will be under pressure as will the whole infrastructure on the Island.

The courts need the ability to revoke housing or work permits if they consider the nature of the crime warrants deportation.

I would like to see a return to a “proper” census to give us the best quality data to make in the future some very tough decisions as our demographic makeup changes.

An Equitable Guernsey – I have been involved with numerous charities over the years and have witnessed first-hand social deprivation in this Island. We have a moral responsibility to help those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable in our society.

The Island has to balance its books, but it is not in anyone’s interest to have a two tiered society. I will fight tooth and nail for the underdog and will ensure we build a Guernsey that is inclusive for all.

Guernsey cannot hold its head high in the world as a successful jurisdiction if we hide a significant impoverished minority below the surface.

07781 141743

Kevin@kevinstewart.gg

www.kevinstewart.gg

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to read this
and extra thanks if you decide to vote for me.
Many of you will know me from my work on radio in the
Bailiwick since the late 1980’s. I started with the BBC and
went on to become the founder of Island FM and have worked
as both a broadcaster and as Chief Executive. I worked in
the UK from 2002 until 2010 managing a large local radio
group which I had helped to build up through acquisition
and successful licence applications. I was also elected onto
the main board of the RadioCentre which represents the
commercial radio industry to the UK government and the
regulator Ofcom.
I have a long track record of commercial success and have
served on the boards of over twenty five media companies.
Why am I standing?
Broadcasting has been my life, but public service and
politics has always been a passion of mine. It may sound
naïve, but I want to make a difference. I believe that I have
the knowledge, enthusiasm, personality and ability to push
forward and get some common sense decisions made across
a wide range of issues.
Education
Dennis Mulkerrin’s review was one of the best
States’ reports that I have seen. It was clear, concise
and written in plain English for all to understand.
If you are interested in education I urge you to
read it. This report was also promptly delivered
to the deadline; I nearly fell off my chair when
Education said they wanted until June 2012
to report back with comments. Fair play to the
committee under Deputy Sillars for getting started
on the work. Dennis Mulkerrin is now looking at
primary education and this may also throw up more
uncomfortable reading.
Education is at the centre of all we are and all we
do. We cannot fail either our children or adults that
wish to retrain. I believe we must ensure there are
adequate resources and the early years should be
“gold plated” so that our primary school children
get the best start possible at an age where their
minds are so accepting. We cannot have children
in secondary education with a below par reading
or maths age. Good teachers, wherever they come
from, need to be retained; children need continuity,
so let’s have a special housing licence category to
achieve this NOW. A well educated population will
have cost and savings benefits in commerce, health,
law and order; in fact every sector of our society
will reap the reward.
We must also ensure that parents do not abdicate
all responsibility of their children to the teachers
and schools. Parents must be made responsible for
the actions of their children and be accountable for
their behaviour inside and outside school.
Law & Order
In the last report from Guernsey Police there was
not a single £ sign to be seen. The public need to
know how the Police are performing and how much
it is costing.
We have relatively low crime rates compared to
the rest of Western Europe. However we are all
affected by petty crime and vandalism and this
HAS TO STOP. I, like many others, am fed up by
the closure of our public conveniences which have
been mindlessly smashed up and other similar
acts of anti-social behaviour. I want our public
toilets reopened FOR THIS SUMMER with security
measures in place if necessary; we must not be
beaten by this small number of vandals. I would
like to see harsh penalties which would include
restoring and cleaning the toilets and other public
facilities. I was always taught the punishment should
fit the crime and very much believe in that principle.
Where are the Police Pushangs? I would like to see
police on bicycles around the Island. In my view
this would lead to more effective beat policing
and better interaction with the public. On a bike
you hear more, see more and are highly mobile,
furthermore they have the benefit of being green.
I want to be assured that we are combating the
huge amount of scamming taking place via the
internet, phone and mail. These scammers target
the trusting and vulnerable and we should bring
these criminals to book. To me every scam call or
email is an attempted robbery and we should not
underestimate the misery that scammers cause.
Health
We all know that prevention is better than cure
and early detection and screening is vital too. The
debate last year over bowel cancer screening was
deplorable. We should, without question, have
screening processes in place for all major diseases
to benefit the patient and save money in the long
term. Of course health cannot be a bottomless pit
of money and spending can run away which is why
we must focus on education and support on three
major areas: obesity, binge drinking and smoking.
The States needs to invest more in health education
and support the charities that do important work in
the community. People must be free to make their
own lifestyle choices, but these should be informed
and we need to educate and reach out to Islanders
from a young age so they are aware of the health
risks some choices pose.
This is another sector needing key worker long
time licences in place. Advertising, recruiting and
training staff is expensive and time consuming.
Waste
The people of Guernsey always get behind good
common sense ideas. Recycling is one of those and
I am optimistic that we can recycle in excess of
80% of our waste given the right infrastructure.
Kerbside recycling will be a major factor together
with schemes for multiple occupancy buildings.
Outside of recycling it is only fair that you pay per
bag for the amount thrown out.
In the meantime let’s upgrade our recycling sites.
Longue Hougue (or another site) should have an
indoor section for white goods, furniture, etc. and
Mont Cuet should be tarmacced and properly laid
out. Skips for disposing rubbish should be at a level
to enable top filling. I am surprised we recycle as
much as we do given the “rubbish” facilities.
Population
Guernsey is a finite size and will start to feel very
uncomfortable if the population continues to grow.
Traffic problems will increase, our green areas and
recreational space will be under pressure as will the
whole infrastructure of the Island.
We need a better licensing system for key workers,
but we also need to crack down on the multiple
occupancy of some open market properties. This
has been abused to get round our housing laws
and not what the open market was designed for.
I am also in favour of the courts having the ability to
revoke housing or work permits if the nature of the
crime warrants deportation.
I would like a return to a “proper” census which will
give us the valuable data to make tough decisions,
particularly with our shifting demographic makeup.
Energy & Carbon Footprint
We need to play our part and I support initiatives
that make sense such as tidal power although
this technology is still ‘work in progress’. I do not
support a wind farm off our beautiful west coast.
To me this is eco-terrorism and not a penny of our
money should be spent on this as it is clearly a
NON STARTER. Whoever dreamt up that idea has
not sat on the sea wall at Cobo with fish & chips
on a summer evening watching the best sunset in
Europe. We could get all our electricity down the
cable link from renewable sources; however very
few of us would wish to pay the premium.
The latest report on Guernsey’s emissions shows
that we are reducing our carbon footprint; this is
mainly due to motor manufacturers getting better at
controlling emission’s rather than the States doing
anything clever. I am sure with some imagination,
investment, smart apps and incentives we could
deliver an effective joined up transport policy. As
our population increases so will the vehicles using
the roads. At certain times of the day it is already
a frustrating experience getting around the Island
even when the roads are open!
An Equitable Guernsey
I have been involved in many charities over
the years and have witnessed first-hand social
deprivation in this Island. We have a moral
responsibility to help those who are disadvantaged
or vulnerable in our society.
People in Guernsey have an excellent work ethic
and we do not want a system where you can be
better off on benefit than working.
That said, many workers in lower income groups
are struggling with the increased costs of basic
living essentials, energy, food and primary health
care.
The island has to balance its books, but it is not
in anyone’s interest to have a two-tiered society. I
was tackled on this subject within a few days of
announcing my intention to stand by a group of
lower paid earners. I will fight tooth and nail for the
underdog and will ensure we build a Guernsey that
is inclusive for all.
Guernsey cannot hold its head high in the world
as a successful jurisdiction if we hide a significant
impoverished minority below the surface.

Over the years I have been part of numerous projects for hundreds of charities. The Christmas lights appeal in 2000 is something I am very proud of. I founded Help a Guernsey Child which is now 10 years old and has benefited hundreds of local children and their families. I was patron of the Guernsey Specials Gym Club and the first aids charity in Guernsey, PHACT. I have given my time freely to the Round Table, Rotary, Taverners and many other organisations both large and small and they will tell you “Kevin gets things done”.
We need to get things done! I don’t want to apportion blame for the last four years but the inaction and slow decision taking has been lamentable. We need to make decisions in this next States and get a move on. It is no good making the right decision but implementing it too late.
Reports on waste took forever, getting information from Education was like pulling teeth and a of course we still lack a transport strategy. If I was Dennis Mulkerrin I would write “COULD DO BETTER” and “MUST TRY HARDER” on the States end of term report.
I love Guernsey and my twitter followers will know I regularly post pictures while walking in our beautiful outdoors. It’s important for our children and grandchildren, not to mention tourism that we preserve and cherish our green spaces. It’s important to make sure
that the Island’s infrastructure and
financial security is also
improved and
maintained.
Please feel free to contact me anytime.
TEL 07781 141 743 EMAIL kevin@kevinstewart.gg www.kevinstewart.gg TWITTER kevinstewartgsy