Election for Senator
Election for Senator.
Firts item is the manifesto I distribute at the hustings, below are transcripts of a few of the speeches I’ve given:
On June 16th you will be electing someone to complete a 16 month term of office.
I am therefore surprised that some candidates are offering long lists in their manifestoes – without any defined plan of action. Either they are naïve or trying to mislead, because, suggesting they could address more than a handful of issues in that time is nonsense.
I could list all the matters that concern me:- tourism, agriculture, economic diversification, looming pension deficit; plus many others, but I’ve never promised that which I can’t deliver – or even might not be able to deliver.
Consequently my message in this campaign has been a simple one – to concentrate on the major issues – and there can’t be anything more major than our looming balance of payments deficit.
How has this come about? Well, the infamous zero / ten tax structure (which never complied with the EU Code despite Senator Le Sueur’s assurances that it did– he lied all along) means our tax income falls by around £100m per year. Add to that the effects of the recession, and we have a problem.
As any business knows (and I’ve successfully run my own business for nearly 40 years) if you don’t control your overheads, you go bankrupt.
In the case of government, politicians take the easy way out by increasing taxes to balance the books.
Unfortunately, it’s a flawed strategy, because, as in business, raising your cost-base makes you uncompetitive. In our case it means the Island would create further difficulties for tourism, agriculture, fisheries – and any other exporting enterprise – at just the time we should be encouraging them as a way of diversifying our economy.
So – we have a choice – hefty tax increases – or cutting back on expenditure.
This is where I get annoyed with some of my fellow candidates, who suggest any cuts will lead to ‘reduced front-line services, reduced Benefits, etc’.
Irresponsible rubbish.
Sure, if we follow the present States Strategy of asking Departments to reduce spending by 5% (or whichever figure preferred) that may happen.
Fortunately, it probably won’t, as all previous similar attempts have failed due to Departments putting forward totally unacceptable areas for cutting – as we saw in the JEP just the other day.
I oppose cutting any front-line services – or adding to unemployment by a careless cull of our public service.
Instead, I want to address matters such as: – Why is our police force one of the highest paid in the world? Why does an Island of 45 square miles need over 8,000 civil servants, 100 of whom are paid over £150,000 a year?
I want to regain political control of our public services (how many know a minister is not allowed to interfere in his Department?) and make them efficient and fit for purpose.
To address this, in 2008 (I was a States Deputy for 10 years) I brought Proposition P49 “To agree that a working party should be established to investigate the appropriateness of the internal structure of each Department of the States to ascertain whether it is fit for purpose and to report back to the States with its findings within 6 months.”
I lost that Debate by one vote. (Deputy Ryan was one who opposed me – had he supported, we’d be on our way by now to cutting public expenditure)
However, because I enjoyed cross-House respect, members advised me that should I bring that Proposition back, I would succeed. Unfortunately I lost my seat and was unable to do so.
Should I be successful in this election, my first priority will be to re-lodge that Projet.
And I am confident of success.
I do not offer vague promises – nor am I economical with the truth. One candidate has removal of GST on food top of his agenda – but he doesn’t tell you he supported the introduction of GST in the first place (when it included food).
Other candidates will tell you about their integrity, ability, etc. etc.
I leave my 10yrs in the States to speak for itself. Who, fiercely opposed by ministers, exposed the Harcourt / Las Vegas court case? I did. Who exposed those behind manipulating the waterfront telephone poll? I did. Who, apart from perhaps one other member, put more questions / lodged more Amendments & Propositions than anyone else? I did. Who put a stop to Chief Officers’ secret meetings? I did.
Who served on Public Services, Housing, Telecoms, Privileges and Procedures, Legislation and other committees? Was a member of the Law Revision Board and vice-chairman of the Environment Scrutiny Panel? I was.
I have a reputation for straight-talking and commonsense. I am not diverted by opposition. There are two Budgets between now and the next election – we need to sort our finances now – in 16 months time it will be too late – the die will be cast.
So now is not the time for a new recruit to start his learning curve – or the ambiguous or faint-hearted to take office. Believe me, the States Chamber can be a bear-pit.
It requires someone with ability and drive, and I believe my track record proves I have those qualities.
Finally, to those who don’t vote because “one person can’t change anything” – I say “you’re wrong, look at my record” (it’s all there, on-line – look up ‘States Greffe’).
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Transcript of the speech I gave on Thursday May 27th at St Martin:-
Mons Le Connetable,
Ladies & Gentlemen,
It’s impossible to cover all the serious issues facing this Island in my allotted 5 mins, so if anyone requires more information about my policies, please go to my website – gerardbaudains.com
Firstly, let me say I do not support Socialist tax and spend agendas. They remove incentive and encourage a Benefits Culture – thereby promoting poverty.
It goes without saying one must support the sick and needy, but – if you go too far – you end up with a bankrupt economy and unable to support anyone.
I have never subscribed to the notion of dragging the rich down to the level of the poor – I’d rather create the conditions where the poor can become wealthy.
You know, running a country (or this Island) is no different from running a business. If you don’t control your overheads (in our case public expenditure) the only option is to raise prices - but that makes you more expensive than your competitors.
Jersey already has a high cost base – dentist fees on a par with Beverly Hills, housing on a par with Mayfair.
Heating oil, construction materials – you name it – it costs a lot more here than almost anywhere else.
We don’t want it any higher – trouble is, raising taxes is the easy option for government.
Believe me, if GST goes up to 15 or 20%, it won’t be coming back down.
That’ll be an extra cost we have to bear forever.
The trouble is, this Island has had it too good for too long. We have grown complacent.
Our police force is one of the highest paid in the world. Why?
Around 90 civil servants get £150,000 or more a year – yet most can’t make a decision without calling in consultants.
We still pay final salary pensions – which most others stopped long ago.
Each year the Public Sector breaches the Budget set by the States the previous year – by over £10m.
We paid over £100m for an incinerator we could have bought for £66m,
We have shed-loads of bureaucracy – which not only stifles business – and therefore tax income – but requires yet more civil servants to administer.
How much longer do we let this go on?
Do we tackle the problem now – or wait until we can no longer afford to treat the sick or pay pensioners?
There are two Budgets between now and the next election. By then, it will be too late to change direction. The Treasury Minister’s savings will have failed – as similar attempts have all failed in the past – and taxes will have gone up.
Let’s face it – our ministerial government’s track record on spending is appalling.
About three years ago they claimed to have made £20m worth of ‘savings’. Only it was ‘reinvested’ – not saved at all.
They made cuts of £13m in the 2008 Business Plan – only to amend their own Proposition to add it back again!
Much as I want Senator Ozouf to succeed, his calls for reduction will not work. As usual, it will merely result in deferment of capital projects and a reduction in maintenance programmes – no savings at all.
What I propose is an altogether more vigorous approach.
If we’re not to end up like Greece or the UK, we must first look at all the services we provide - and separate what’s necessary from what’s nice to have
We must re-assess manning and remuneration levels – because over time our Public Service has evolved into an unaccountable, inefficient machine.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not talking mass redundancy, cutting back front-line services – or reduced salaries. What I’m asking for is more appropriate contracts for new employees.
Finally, none of this could, with respect, be done by a new recruit to the States. It takes about a year to learn the ropes – by which time it’ll be too late.
The reason I’m standing is because these problems – and others – are urgent.
I’m a straight-talking, no-nonsense type of guy – and I have the experience to make a difference immediately.
Not only that, but I have respect across the States Assembly.
It’s all very well throwing grenades in there – and heaven knows they need a few – but if you can’t get support from other members you’re wasting your time.
Thank you.
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Transcript of speech @ Communicare, St Brelade. May 28th:
Last night several candidates spoke of problems facing the Island – but none really addressed the main, overriding problem – and no-one (except myself) actually offered a policy to deal with it.
It’s all very well talking about Jersey’s problems – of which we’re all well aware – and referring to one’s honesty, integrity & so on – but what you (the public) want to know is what we (the candidates) plan to do about it.
How we are going to make a difference – and not simply slip into oblivion or become on of the ministers’ lackeys as so many do, having entered the States?
So first, let me tell you why I’m qualified for this senatorial vacancy:
1. I have a good education – with many academic and engineering qualifications.
2. I have a high IQ – it’s around 145 – so it doesn’t take me long to figure out what’s going on – especially when ministers try to mislead me!
3. I once worked as a civil servant myself – in the MOD - so I know how the public service operates.
4. I’ve run my own successful business for nearly 40 years.
5. And my record as a States Deputy for ten years speaks for itself – hardworking, outspoken and not intimidated by anyone.
Also, apart from Stuart, I’m the only candidate who served in our Committee system of government – so not only can I compare that with the shambles that is Ministerial government, but having served on Public Services, Housing, Telecoms and other committees, I know how our local public service operates.
Now, what’s wrong with everything?
Or should I ask, what’s right?
Sure, we can worry about States members free sandwiches, whether or not cyclists should wear helmets, how many States members there should be – meanwhile Jersey is slowly going bankrupt.
There are a thousand things wrong, but we can’t deal with them all at once – we have to prioritise - which is why my platform in this election is a simple one – reduce public expenditure and sort out ministerial government.
As I said last night, running an Island is no different from running a business – if you don’t control your overheads, you go bust. The easy option of balancing the books by raising taxes must be avoided because, like a business raising its prices, it makes you uncompetitive.
In Jersey’s case, that means finance services moving to lower-cost areas, fewer tourists – and more difficulties for all businesses generally.
Of course, we can pretend there’s not a problem – we can look the other way – or, like our Socialist friends, advocate making matters worse with a ‘tax and spend’ culture. That’s fine – if we want to end up like Greece or the UK.
Well I don’t want to see my Island go that way
And, as those other countries have found out – the longer you leave it, the more painful the remedy.
Jersey is at a financial crossroads. Between now and the next election there are two Budgets:- We can either take the easy option of increased taxation – or we can reduce wasteful expenditure. Increased taxation will eventually lead us back to the same problem, so the only workable option is reducing expenditure.
It’s crazy that Jersey has over 8,000 public servants;
a police force that’s one of the highest paid in the world;
that Departments overspend the States-set Budget every year by over £10m -
I could spend an hour describing waste by the £million, but time does not allow.
So how do I propose to solve this problem?
Well, for a start I’m tired of hearing that it’s a waste of time voting because one person can’t do anything. That’s not true, so please make an effort to vote on June 16th.
A States member can achieve much with the right Propositions – provided he has the respect of his fellow members.
I always did, so, together with my States experience, if elected I would start effective work on June 17th. – something a new member could not.
What is it I propose to do?
Well, the scare-mongering that reducing public expenditure would result in cuts to front-line services and mass unemployment is, frankly, irresponsible.
What is needed – and I’m confident of persuading the States to adopt such a Proposition – is a root and branch review of our public services.
Separating necessary services from the nice-to-have.
Reviewing salaries and giving new recruits revised contracts.
Outlawing restrictive practises.
Streamlining management structures.
Making Departments responsible and their staff accountable – it’s unacceptable that no matter how serious the cock-up, no-one is ever held to account. That simply encourages the wrong attitude and would be totally unacceptable in the private sector.
Basically, we need private sector accountability and efficiency in our public services.
Thank you for listening.
Conclusion
First of all, I’d like to thank you all for a useful evening and some interesting questions.
As I for myself, there was a rumour circulating that ‘the establishment’ were promoting a candidate specifically to stop either Stuart or Geoff getting in.
I’m still trying to figure out which one of us that is – it’s certainly not me!
I made it clear in my opening speech what my policy is:
the reduction of public sector waste – whether that’s by over-manning, inappropriate management structures, a lack of accountability or simply the shambolic financial systems (if you can call them that) which Departments employ. What I’m not proposing is mass redundancies – or the private sector remedy where existing employees have to re-apply for their jobs at reduced salary. That would be quite inappropriate.
Thank you.
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Transcript of 1/6/’10 (St Saviour)
Reading through the other candidate’s literature, I note some are still trying the old trick of being all things to all people. Long lists of things they pretend they’re going to deal with – I say pretend, because this election is about finishing off an 18 month term before the main election next year.
It can take weeks or months to prepare a States Proposition – and as long again before it’s debated.
All this on top of the vast amount of work a States member has anyway – the paperwork alone arrives at about 50 pages a day.
I note one candidate has removing GST on food at the top of his list.
That subject has been debated in the States at least four times – and rejected four times. So what’s the chance of success next time? The candidate concerned actually voted for GST in the first place - I voted against it.
So candidates are misleading you if they suggest they’re going to address every problem facing Jersey in the next 18 months.
Politics is the art of the possible.
Which is why I’ve concentrated on the two major issues facing Jersey at this time - the looming financial disaster - and our dysfunctional ministerial system.
My main policy is more important than all the others put together.
If Jersey doesn’t balance its books, then all other issues go in the waste bin - and the only way we’re going to do that is to gain control over our run-away expenditure.
It’s what any business has to do to avoid bankruptcy.
I do not propose cutting front-line services, reducing benefits – or throwing lots of people out of work.
What I am proposing is a fundamental review of our public services.
Is the structure appropriate for today’s needs?
Do we have the right number of people – of the right qualifications – at an appropriate salary?
Until we know that, any attempt at savings is merely posturing.
We must start by separating essential services from the nice-to-have. And it would help if the States stopped passing so many Laws and Regulations - which in themselves, require an army of civil servants to administer.
Two years ago I lodged a Proposition in the States to achieve just such a review.
I lost the debate by one vote.
Which means that if the same candidate who voted for GST hadn’t voted against me, we would now be well on the way to solving our financial crisis.
Anyway, after that vote, it was generally accepted – across the States – that if I brought the Proposition back, I would succeed.
Sadly, I was unable to do that.
If elected to the position of senator, resubmitting that Proposition will be my first priority.
Throughout my life I’ve made a point of never promising either what I can’t deliver – or even what I might not be able to deliver.
I am confident of achieving what I propose – the first step in getting Jersey back to financial stability.
Sometimes I wonder if people realise just how precarious our position is – and who would bail us out if it all goes wrong?
Years of boasting how rich the Island was, was not a clever thing to do.
Jersey’s financial situation is critical.
There are two Budgets between now and the next election– after which the die will be cast as to which way Jersey is going.
So it requires someone with experience and proven ability, someone who can start effective work immediately.
My ten years as Deputy and nearly 40 years in business speak for themselves.
I have a reputation for getting things done where others fail.
Pressure and obstruction from the Council of ministers does not faze me.
I believe I am the best candidate to achieve what needs to be done.
Thank you.
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