HOUSE OF KEYS GENERAL ELECTION from investment and support. Development work trying (but not always managing!) to be good Thursday 29th September 2011 is progressing at the former Marine Lab. which humoured, and above all, being honest. will rejuvenate this highly visible part of Port Erin Sheading of Rushen and I welcome this private venture. However, the faltering Regeneration Schemes for Port Erin and CONCLUSION AND LOOKING AHEAD Port St Mary must be utilised more effectively to We face pressing economic challenges which will enhance the commercial viability of both Ports. require particular skills and experience from our QUINTIN GILL X Investment is not just about money. I have politicians. Teamwork and shared endeavour will committed a great deal of time and effort into need to be the guiding principles of the next supporting our communities. Since I initiated a Government; openness and candour will need to Since 2001 I have been honoured to be formal visit programme, hundreds of children characterise their relationship with the wider public. elected to serve the people of Rushen from our primary schools have learnt about the I do believe that a well led Government can get the as one of your Independent MHKs. As I House of Keys and Tynwald Court. At a secondary backing of the responsible members of Tynwald and promised ten years ago, I have applied level, Castle Rushen High School students the respect of the Manx public to make the right myself wholeheartedly to all the varied annually take part in Junior Tynwald. I know from decisions which are going to be required of us. aspects of this work as your full-time my personal experience just how praiseworthy I am a team player, I work hard to foster a member of the House of Keys and our young people are and we should appreciate good personal relationships with my Tynwald Tynwald Court. them and recognise the community cohesion colleagues and I was very honoured to be elected which we enjoy. unopposed to the role of Deputy Speaker of the I am, once again, seeking re-election People invariably respond positively to being House of Keys. I am also an Independent MHK and hope to have your support to allow treated with respect and courtesy; that is why, for who stands up to be counted on matters of me to continue to represent you and example, I supported lowering the voting age to important principle. our community. sixteen and why my time spent in all the sectors I hope you will consider candidates on their Thank you for taking the time to read of the communities across Rushen is time well record not their rhetoric. Thank you for taking the my manifesto. invested. I have arranged or supported many time to read my manifesto; please do read all the community, charitable or social activities literature of all of the candidates to help you THE ECONOMY will need to remain strong to support the throughout the years. I regard this as an decide who to cast your vote/s for. It is an next Government’s financial re-modelling enjoyable and important part of the work of an important task. This election takes place against a global programme. MHK as it does so much to maintain my backdrop of financial uncertainty and instability. It has been a great honour to represent the understanding of the needs of our communities. In the Isle of Man a great deal of attention has, The culture of secrecy which has sadly people of Rushen in the House of Keys and understandably and rightly, been given to our Tynwald Court. characterised this Government is regrettable. As a significantly diminished VAT receipts over the former serviceman I understand the need to keep It is a privilege I hope you will grant me again. ABOUT ME forthcoming years. ‘Living within our means’ – secrets when necessary, and on occasions I am 51, married to Joy and we have three grown- means which will be seriously reduced – must confidentiality must, of course, be maintained. up daughters; Laura 22, Emma 20 and Alison 18. be achieved by the next administration. This However, Government is about serving the public Our home is in Port St Mary. I have served as your will involve making difficult decisions, taking and should be about transparency. The next full-time MHK since 2001 and have been guided Phone 832673 (Home) sometimes unpopular yet appropriate action. Government needs to reflect this as a matter of by the principles of a fair distribution of wealth 489592 (mobile/text) However we should guard against unwarranted course. The new Chief Minister will need to across society, working hard, showing respect, email – [email protected] pessimism; our economy is currently worth over engage Tynwald members and the public more £3 billion annually and it is still growing fully and honestly if there is to be political and diversifying. Our financial foundations, consensus and support for the important work including our international AAA credit rating, facing us. Published by Quintin Gill, Strooanglass, Endfield Avenue, Port St Mary, IM9 5EW. Printed by Quine and Cubbon Ltd, Port St Mary, IM9 5DS. The Review of the Scope and Structure of the Isle of EXTERNAL RELATIONS IN TYNWALD COURT AND THE need to provide assistance to allow elderly people Man Government is an important document which the chance to remain in their own homes if they One of the most worrying legacies of the last HOUSE OF KEYS considers the advantages and benefits of a variety wish to. This is what led me and others to form Government is the state of our relationship with Since becoming an MHK in 2001 I have worked of comprehensive changes. I believe however, by Southern Befrienders, a charity which is now well the UK Government which I believe is at the with my Rushen colleagues in the interests of our refusing to even consider the merits of reviewing established and valued across the south. Services lowest point for the last 25 years. In my 2006 constituents wherever possible. However, as an the scope of the public sectors activities for the elderly across Rushen must be provided manifesto I wrote; Our principal relationship is Independent MHK I have always acted in a this Government has missed an important and maintained to allow them to get the fair with the United Kingdom and it is crucial that we manner which I believe has been consistent opportunity. I remain unconvinced by the reward for their lives and work which have been maintain this in the most positive manner and coherent; I have not joined either the promised benefits of the restructure of the foundations of our society. possible. This remains as true as ever. The next Government/establishment ‘block vote’ or the Government. In my view this restructuring can only Government must make serious and concerted negative or irresponsible ‘opposition to everything’ The bid, led by Rushen MHKs, to have a be of benefit if it is now complemented by a full efforts to promote a better understanding of the camp. I have acted and voted according to the government-funded activity hall which will be and honest review of the scope of Government. Isle of Man generally and especially within merits of individual cases and policies and in run by community groups built at Rushen School is This represents a pressing challenge for the next Westminster. This is a most pressing area of need, many instances this has led to justified and vigorous moving ahead. Whilst this will be for use by all administration. It will not be a painless process and and your MHKs each have a role in this – as opposition to this Government, especially when sorts of groups it will certainly enhance local unpopular decisions will almost certainly flow from individual parliamentarians or as members of they have got things seriously wrong. sporting facilities which will benefit many people it, but I believe it is absolutely necessary. from across the south of the island. I very much Government. For this Government to lay claim to On other occasions I have moved private As Chairman of the MEA I have already led such welcome the move by Colby FC to their new any sort of success in this important area is member’s legislation to enhance child protection, a review: we have cut 40% of our most senior ground; they and Rushen United are to be to ignore the experience of the VAT sharing worked on many Government and parliamentary management posts and made many other savings. congratulated for their continued work to negotiations and the Reciprocal Health committees and presided in the House of Keys in By working with our colleagues across all of our encourage children and adults into regular Agreement debate. my role as Deputy Speaker. I have loyally activities, and the unions, we have identified organised sporting activity. Many other southern The VAT sharing negotiations which this supported my Minister in the Department of revenue savings which will lead to new working sporting and social clubs are prospering and we Government has been conducting for several Community Culture and Leisure and I am proud to practices as well as funding any future pay settle- should recognise and applaud the work of the years almost led to the severance of that have been part of the team which oversaw the ment. This model works for the MEA and I many volunteer coaches who make this possible. agreement. This would have quickly resulted to development of the Bowl Stadium, a national believe is applicable elsewhere in the public economically catastrophic consequences with, asset which is the centre piece for The There has been significant investment in housing sector.