LE TOCQ; Jonathan Paul

Manifesto to follow..

Jonathan Le Tocq



This island and particularly you, the electors of the Castel, deserve to be represented democratically by people you can trust, respect and rely upon. Politics should be about serving our community, helping us all to work together for one another’s good, not about personal ambitions and agendas. We must therefore all work hard to identify, encourage and support politicians who will be worthy of serving us all in this way. I believe that all those holding public office must work hard to restore the confidence and esteem that has been eroded in recent years. So I am standing for PUBLIC SERVICE not self service.

If the last four years have been challenging then the next four will be no less so, very likely even more so. The key challenges we face as an island community over the next few years will include:

Protecting & Valuing Employment: we must safeguard local jobs, minimise the pressures on employers & develop new skills.

Strengthening Our Economy: we must be flexible like our forefathers, continue to diversify, be more efficient & demonstrate that Guernsey is open for business!

Addressing An Ageing Population: we owe it to our senior citizens to be prepared well in advance. We must act now.

Redefining Our Constitutional Relationship & International Identity: we cannot ignore the need for greater definition & responsibility for our own affairs.

Reviewing Our Internal Governance: more reform of the States is necessary; fewer members, fewer departments, partial island wide voting would bring better accountability & engagement & win back some of the trust which has been lost.

Reducing the Budget Deficit: this is a given & we must plan to return to balanced budgets swiftly & effectively.

Education: There is definitely a need for a period of consolidation & stability in our Education system after the turmoil of the last few years. The programme of secondary rebuilding must be completed, & we need to address the thorny issue of long term funding of the independent Colleges. In the near future a fresh review of secondary & tertiary education policy will be required along with a full rebuild of the College of Further Education. We should increase the opportunities for undergraduate and post‐graduate study on‐island, both part‐time and fulltime; the provision of a ‘University of the Channel Islands’ should be seriously investigated. Whilst I still believe that there is merit in our young people experiencing life and learning elsewhere whether they return to the island or not, we do need to consider offering greater on‐island Higher Education options if only because of the escalating costs. Having said that I do not believe that University education is appropriate for everyone, and certainly not necessarily all those aged 18, so I remain a firm supporter of our Apprenticeship Scheme which I also believe should continue to be developed and enhanced.

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jon@letocq.co.uk

Thanks for posting the above but it's a bit of a strange edit of my manifesto - had I known it was going to be edited I'd have been happy to do so - but if any one wants a full version electronically either drop me an email (jon@letocq.co.uk) or text/mobile 07781152810 or via twitter (@letocq) and you can access it and other info directly via the following links

www.facebook.com/voteletocq
http://deputies.org.gg/index.php?c=68

Thanks for engaging in public debate and policy formation - your vote counts!