JAMES, MBE; Sandra Anne

Manifesto to follow...

"Time for Change”

Dear Voter
I believe the composition of our States should be representative of the community it serves. That is why the Castel should elect its very first female Deputy. I want to be that first woman to represent our Parish in the Guernsey States of Deliberation. However I certainly don’t want to be elected as a “token woman” but because I believe I have the skills, ideas and policies to be a really effective deputy. If elected I will bring many years of high level experience in several different areas of life to my new role. I understand that making firm election promises is almost deceitful as Guernsey’s system of government limits the amount a single politician can achieve but below are some of my key aspirations if elected.

I believe our current States structure requires reform. Now we have a system whereby politicians get paid a salary it is not unreasonable they should spend more time devoted to States responsibilities. Therefore our States should be able to function effectively with fewer Deputies. It’s now time to explore the prospect of amalgamating some States Committees, thus reducing costs, increasing accountability and efficiency.

Together with most islanders I was deeply concerned to learn about the shortcomings in our education system. I am sure that there is much good work going on in local schools and I don’t want to talk that down but we must address the areas of weakness as a priority. Nothing is more important to the success of a community than an educated workforce and nothing is more important to individuals than being allowed to develop their full potential. The next States should be judged on how effectively it transforms our education system into a world leader given the financial and social advantages that our schools enjoy compared to many areas of the UK and other countries. No political dogma of any shade should be allowed to impede that ambition.

One of the biggest tasks which the new States will be left by its predecessor will be balancing the books and eliminating the black hole. We can all see from other countries the acute dangers of spending more than you earn. The task will be far from easy and the world economic situation will only make it harder. It is vital that efficiency savings are implemented wherever practical and without delay but it is naive to expect that alone to be enough to eliminate the current budget deficit. It may be necessary for the States to “do less” but it’s vital that this process is executed with great care to avoid irreparable damage to key services. I care passionately about public services and would do all I could to make sure the axe didn’t fall in the wrong place.

One big decision the states will have to make early on is on its future tax strategy. I don’t pretend to be an economist or a tax expert but it seems to me the two key issues when making that decision are clear. Firstly we have to make sure that Guernsey’s regime is reasonably competitive so that business doesn’t drift away to other jurisdictions. On the other hand we must, within those parameters, do all we can to protect ordinary tax payers and particularly those on modest incomes.

As I followed the activities of the last states three aspects worried me somewhat - the indecisiveness, the factionalism and the lack of clear strategic leadership. I certainly don’t want the States to suddenly become impetuous or to stifle genuine dissent but I do think that collectively our government should put outcomes on behalf of the Guernsey people above any political differences. This sometimes takes discipline and compromise. I believe I have shown the ability in my working life to co-operate with other people, whatever our different views, and to achieve good outcomes.
After 35 years of Public Service in Guernsey I have gained the appropriate insight, knowledge, skills and expertise to positively contribute to our political system, enhance and improve the quality of life for our community, particularly for the most vulnerable members of our Island.

In addition I have had the privilege of being the UK chair of the Royal College of Nursing the world’s largest professional body of nursing. This experience afforded me many influencing opportunities, in the political arena, not least in meeting and lobbying UK Prime Ministers and politicians on policy making on both a local and national level.

I am driven by fairness, justice, honesty, integrity. Many years acting as a staff representative have reinforced my belief of the need to ensure we have a strong well educated and highly motivated public sector workforce, who deserve regular annual appraisals and receive appropriate feedback. It’s also time we committed ourselves to the harmonisation of pay and conditions of employment for all our public sector employees.

Despite promises made by our politicians a number of years ago the States agreed to embrace and sign up to the ‘Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women’ – we are yet to see some commitment to introducing this piece of important legislation.
We still do not have Equal Pay for Equal Work of Equal Value legislation – this does not just apply to women, many men are affected by this paucity in our laws.

Some of the most vulnerable people in our society are the elderly and those with mental illness, it is no longer acceptable for the mentally ill to be denied the right to appeal against compulsory detention in hospital. Guernsey Mental Health Laws are scandalously out of date and woefully unfit for purpose. I was assured 35 years ago the present 1959 Laws were under review – why are we still waiting? I will also campaign vigorously to reduce the proposed length of time nurses of the ‘Holding Powers’.

We need to ensure our health and social care services are adequately equipped and appropriately funded to ensure the right care and provision is made for our ageing population, it is vital we get our priorities right on expenditure and our building programmes planned to provide the necessary accommodation. This is the States when the “baby boomers” generation [including myself] start to reach retirement age. This is going to be a huge challenge both financially and in providing the appropriate social care for an aging population. All this will be made far harder by the current tight economic situation.

We need to plan now for when that population bulge reaches the 75+ age range in a decade’s time or else we will end up letting down the very generation which built our prosperous community. With my background in health and social care services I feel I can contribute to that planning process which is probably the biggest, hidden, political challenge in all developed countries.

I hope that you agree I have something to contribute and will consider giving me one of your 7 votes. If you wish to make further contact with me, please email or call me: sjames@guernsey.net or 255140. I will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible. I will of course be out and about trying to meet as many Castel residents as possible before Election Day on 18 April.
“Politics is about People not Prestige”

Honours, Awards & Achievements

• Nominated on three consecutive years as Ambassador of the Year for promoting Guernsey in the national and international arena

• First nurse to be seconded off Island to obtain a specialist Community Mental Health Nursing qualification. On my return set up our first Community Mental Health Service

• Awarded the first Insurance Corporation of the Channel Islands Bursary which enabled me to research alcohol and drug treatment centres of excellence in the USA and the UK. On my return introduced Guernsey’s first Drug & Alcohol Service

• Founder member of Women’s Refuge

• Member of the Steering Group for the Guernsey Association of Charities.

• Volunteer Counsellor and Treasurer for Guernsey Women’s Aid

• First Channel Islander to be elected to the Royal College of Nursing Governing Body
and subsequently elected by my peers to chair that committee

• Presented with the Royal College of Nursing Award of Merit in recognition of my outstanding contribution to the work of the RCN

• Awarded the MBE in the Queens New Year Honours list 2011

Nominated by Dr Margaret Ogier
Seconded by Mr Stuart Falla MBE

Many thanks to the Admin team for assisting me to get this loaded - not sure if it was the format I used but success after my 5th attempt.

Any good at fixing blocked drains?

I am.

Thanks Bob!!

I wish you well in the election Sandra - I know you from the institute - infact you gave me a lecture just yesterday infact - I did all the talking in it in the afternoon - I am sure you will know who I am now - I didnt realise you were standing but I hope you will get in - I think you would be brilliant.

Hi Diddycoon
Many thanks - of course I remember you. How did you feel the session went.? First time I did the Duty of Care stuff.

Thanks for your kind words - I have my fingers and toes crossed!!

Hustings went quite well last night.

Castel has never had a woman deputy so its an uphill journey!!

Have my clampons on!

Diddycoon
Not sure if you are in the Castel - if not just tell your mates who do live in the Parish - how fabulously, intelligent and wonderful I am!!!

Fab - I enjoyed it immensely and I never get tired of listening to your voice either. It was very useful and beneficial to me and you have all inspired me very much over the last month. I appreciate it. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you as well - sadly I am in St PP North - If we had island wide voting would have voted for you. I will spread the word though to my friends in the Castel Vicinity.

Wow
A big thank you!!

I just love what I do - my passion about care and caring for the vulnerable drives me intensely!

good luck in the election Sandra..somebody with your knowledge and passion would be a welcome addition...HSSD could do with your passionate input..wish you were standing in the west.

Morning Thistle
Getting geared up for our drop in session this morning at the Castel Douzaine Room 10.0am 12.0pm.

All will be revealed on Wednesday.