Falklands : Legislative Council: 23 September 2005 (Part 2)
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 25.09.2005 (Article Archived on 09.10.2005)
Motion for Adjournment speeches are always popular with constituents.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: 23 AUGUST 2005
(Part 2: Motion for Adjournment Speeches)
Commentary by J. Brock (FINN)
Cllr. the Hon Mr. Mike Summers:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I had anticipated today there would be an unseemly rush to speak last. But since Cllr Edwards has claimed that position already, I think that’s quite right. I would have proposed it.
I would like to welcome the Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands to the House for his first visit. It seems ages since he first arrived. Welcome anyway. We have already worked together with you and look forward to working with you and your staff in the foreseeable future.
I have just a few words to say in this last Legislative Council of this particular Government. As you look back through the last four years, you are bound to think about the relationship with Argentina. In an odd sort of way, although the relationship between the Falklands and Argentina and the United Kingdom and Argentina has deteriorated over the last 4 years, I am rather happy with it. I am happy with it because the Argentine Government in the last two to three years has tried quite hard to hurt the Falklands – hurt the economy of the Falklands. And, it has failed to do so. That, for us, is a good sign. It means that we are in good health from an economic point of view. We are in good health from a political point of view, with the support of Her Majesty’s Government. And, I remain confident that the Argentine Government and its penny antics cannot hurt the Falklands.
It would be nice to think that they could look to their old mother country, Spain, and see how the relationship between the new Spanish Government and Gibraltar has begun to develop and how the Spanish Government has finally realised after decades of trying to blockade Gibraltar that, in fact, the best way forward for all parties concerned is to co-operate. The Argentines might like to watch that for a few months and see how it works.
There are a number of important things that have happened during the course of this Government. To me the most important elements have always been the budget sessions and maintaining a strong economy. We have, in each of our four years, been able to maintain pretty much a balanced budget. And, that has been through some of the worst economic times that we’ve experienced since the days of the arrival of fishing to the Falklands.
The loss of three Illex catches out of the last four years has put severe pressure on the budget but we have, nevertheless, been able to maintain good levels of expenditure and maintain the reserves at a sensible level.
I think it is a matter of great pride for all of us to note this year in particular that we have a very flourishing private sector now in the Falklands. The tax revenues have increased substantially, in part due to changes in the Tax Regime but also largely to do with an approach that this Government and it’s predecessors have taken to promotion of the private sector. And, we now have a very different sort of economy to the one that we had in the early/mid ‘80s. The fisheries industry is going from strength to strength, retail is very strong in the Falklands. You can just see it by going around the shops and looking at the diversity and the amount of people currently involved in the retail business. Tourism continues to grow and there is more confidence, more activity, more professionalism and more product in the Tourism Industry now. And, it’s good to see – a great deal of excitement!
If there is one thing that I would have to be sad about, looking back, is that we have not achieved what we might liked to have achieved in terms of better economic performance in the Camp. The economics are not good. Wool prices are still poor and people are still having a difficult time. I am happy that we have been able to continue to invest particularly in the Road Programme, which is nearing its completion, in the Abattoir, which has given more opportunity to farms to find other ways to earn their income, in animal quality, both through continuation of stock improvement in the National Stud Flock and, more recently, in genetic improvements in AI and ET and in pasture improvement. There remains much to do in Camp and the next Council will need to be committed to making sure that Camp remains part of our One Nation Policy.
I think there must be a one nation policy. We are the Falklands overall and not Stanley and Camp separate – divided – we are one together. Our politics are the same – our economics should be the same. And, we must strive hard to bring the Camp up to levels of income and expectation that people enjoy in Stanley.
Sir, I support the Motion.
Cllr. the Hon. Mr. Ian Hansen:
Mr. President, Honourable Members, some of my colleagues have already acknowledged your past in this outgoing Council, Sir, but I would like to add my thanks to your contribution. In fact, looking around this House, I guess I have known you longer than anybody here. We both arrived in the Falklands in 1958, though, admittedly, our modes of transport were different. Since then I guess our lives ran pretty well parallel. At least our paths have crossed on several occasions. I doubt whether 5 years ago either of us would have envisaged that you would be Speaker of the House and I would be a Member of Legislative Council.
There are, of course, two other Councillors here today who have said they are not standing for re-election. And I would like to briefly mention them. However, I am going to let them wait in anticipation while I mention one other issue. And, that issue is Tourism. The beginning of our tourist season is imminent. I think it’s less than a month away. The first cruise vessel arrives here in Stanley on the 22nd of October.
I had a brief look the other day at the progress being made outside the Jetty Centre. And although it looks as though there’s a fair bit to do, it should be ready for that date. If it isn’t then there will be very little left to do to finish off. And, our Director of Tourism seems content with what is happening. So I would like to thank those involved in that work.
I had an interesting conversation while I was overseas recently with a couple of people from the Isle of Man and Guernsey. The Isle of Man are significantly decreasing their expenditure on promoting Tourism as they feel people know what to expect from the Isle of Man. They have nothing new to offer in the Tourist Industry as far as marketing goes. Guernsey, for the same reasons, are proposing an even more radical approach than suggesting that some land-based tourism infrastructure be converted into sheltered accommodation or such. And, that is where we in the Falklands differ because we do still have something different to offer apart from other countries. We do have a niche market, if you like, in tourism. And, I know tourism is and always will be a volatile form of economy. But, investment in promotion of our Tourist Industry, investment in infrastructure, investment in a system of operating accommodation island-wide, I believe is an investment that makes fundamental sense for our future economy. And, I would hope that the future council takes this view.
I would also like to welcome Commodore Moncrieff to this Council and to say that I hope he has an enjoyable stay.
And, now at the risk of being accused by the media in taking part in a back-slapping exercise, I am going to briefly mention my two colleagues who are not putting their names forward for the forthcoming election. I would like to thank Cllr. Luxton for his realistic and sensible approach over the last few years. And, in particular, that approach concerning the transport portfolio, which we worked on together since my election two years ago. And, I would like to wish him well in his new work commitment.
As for Councillor Edwards, I doubt I would even be here taking part today if it hadn’t been for her encouragement and insistence that I should stand for Council. I remember when I was narrowly beaten in the general election four years ago when Councillor Edwards phoned me, not with commiserations or sympathy but with orders not to give up. And, I find it quite hard to imagine, whether or not I take part in the next council, or just listening to Legco that we won’t hear Norma’s voice. I do think the next council should be warned that they will undoubtedly hear her voice on more than one occasion, as she has said that she has no intention of retiring her opinions.
Sir, I support the Motion.
Cllr. the Hon. Mrs. Jan Cheek:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I, too, would like to welcome the Commander. I won’t attempt his new acronym – I can never manage acronyms anyway. It’s good to see you here. I know you’ve been in the Islands for many months but welcome to this forum.
I, too, would like to say farewell, temporarily – I hope - to Stephen Luxton and to Norma. It’s hard to believe that it’s 20 years since Norma was first elected. I think the 19 years she’s served on this Council – because there was a small gap when she moved to Camp – must be close to a record of continuous service to the community. And, I know for a fact, that there are many constituents, not just in Camp but in Stanley, who have cause to be very, very grateful for the tenacity with which Norma will pursue their needs, their requirements, their problems. I remember when she was a Camp Councillor contacting her from town because I knew she would be one Councillor who would follow through with what I was asking her. Norma, you will be very, very much missed. And, I am sure, as Ian says, we will be hearing from you often – or whoever the next Council happen to be.
When Stephen stood for election four years ago I remember assuring people that he would be a very good Councillor. I think they were fearful of his youth. I don’t know what it is about youth that worries people so much. After all, the younger people have more grey cells than we older ones. Ours have been decaying for years. And, I am glad to say Stephen proved me right. It’s been a pleasure working with him on several committees. He’s been a hard working and conscientious Councillor. And, I sincerely hope that we have an opportunity in future years to vote for him in a future election.
An issue that’s been talked about a lot recently is tat of the problem of young people on the streets. And as we are reminded in the newspaper today, it’s a century old problem. And, while we do have serious concerns about the well-being of some young people, it should be emphasised here publicly that we are talking about a minority – a minority whose parents are perhaps not as responsible as they might be – a minority who are disaffected for whatever reason and, I give every good wish to the Committee who are looking at the problem. I know some individual members are already talking to young people and I know that Committee tends in the future to talk to more young people, just to see if there is a way of diverting some of their energies into more useful activities than hanging around outside the Pubs.
I would reiterate what my Honourable Colleague, Mike Summers has said about the economy. It’s been a struggle over the last few years to keep things on an even keel. And, many of us have had to give up treasured hopes, treasured projects because of it. However, I am very happy that, in the life of this Council, we have seen the Junior School extension working really well, giving a whole, brighter and better atmosphere for our youngest students to work in. I have been delighted to see the completion of more sheltered accommodation in the centre of Stanley, where people with some mobility still have easy access to shops, Post Office, and where they are in the middle of things – social – it’s very important. And, I am also delighted that we have completed the special accommodation within the Hospital for those who are unfortunate enough to have to spend long periods hospitalised. The fact that we have been able to do those things – there has been some criticism of some of the expenditure – but for my part, I think it’s been absolutely worthwhile.
Moving to the wider international political scene, I just have a simple question. When will Argentina and those who govern their country learn that a country that has to resort to threats, harassment, and attempts at economic warfare becomes less attractive, not more attractive to the people of the Falkland Islands. We are absolutely clear in our right to self determination. It’s reinforced by every year that passes by things we do, by the way we are developing our Government and our economy and our people.
I support the Motion.
Cllr. the Hon. Mr. John Birmingham:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I believe it is unfortunate that as soon as I get up to speak the Vicar leaves the room. I am sure there’s some reason there.
In rising to speak to this motion, I most certainly will be brief but anybody at some point will have to say those words. But I also welcome the Commander British Forces, who has been in the Islands for some months but I only met him on Thursday and he only met me also.
I’d like to thank all of those who I have worked with over the last four years, especially the staff at Gilbert House, who put up with, not necessarily shut up with a lot. And, I think this has been an interesting four years and I hope that they enjoy the future. And, it’s certainly never been boring.
There have been problems over the last four years for this Council and the community as a whole. But there have also been achievements and some of my colleagues have already spoken about those so I won’t go into that.
But I personally am proud to have been a member of this Council. We are losing two members who are not standing again. This has already been said. Councillor Luxton, I believe, has done a very good job in his four years and I am of the opinion that he will be back in the future and I certainly wish him well with his new venture.
And, Councillor Norma Edwards, well, there you go. Norma – it’s approaching 12 years I won’t quite make it twelve years – but when I was elected for the first time at a by-election, Councillor Norma Edwards was the only one in that Council who phoned me up on the day and said, “Congratulations John, I am sure we can work together.” As time went by, we haven’t always seen eye to eye, Norma –
NE: No but sometimes we worked together.
JB: Not at all. But I have always had a lot of respect for Norma and what the Honourable Jan Cheek mentioned earlier on there about the tenacity – and there are many people in Camp and in Stanley who do have reason to thank Councillor Edwards, who, when she has taken up their cause, has certainly gone as far as is possible. But although we have had our difficulties and we’ve had our differences I think that at the end of any particular session, I hope, and experience has told me, that we can, if not have a beer or certainly on occasion have a cup of tea. And I also think that in the future there is no doubt that we will gain from the benefit of her advice, be it by telephone, e-mail and on those occasions when she comes into Stanley. And, I look forward to that.
On the Argentine question, Stephen Luxton and myself went to the United Nations a couple of months ago, and we saw first hand the attitude of the present Argentine administration that continues to harden. The comments by Councillor Summers, that were also commented on at the UN that the Argentine Government should take note of the way the Spanish Government has matured and is able to deal with what they see as a problem on their southern tip. The Argentines most certainly should. And, who knows, I think that in the future, their attitudes would change when their administration changes. But up to now and at the moment, we certainly have to just tread water, I think.
The One Nation Policy that Councillor Summers mentioned. I fully support that. The Falkland Islands are the Falkland Islands. This Council has five Stanley Members and three Camp Councillors but decisions are made by all eight and they have been made by all eight on all items for years. And, I am sure that, in the future, that will be the same. It’s a rarity that there is any – there is a perception outside there is some kind of a Stanley-Camp divide. I don’t think there’s a Stanley-Camp divide, neither on the Council nor generally speaking in amongst the population. And there shouldn’t be. I fully, fully support the idea of the one nation.
I will be standing. I have been open about that for a long time. But I would say finally if anybody out there is thinking and is still undecided about standing, I suggest that you go for it. Because for all the criticisms and the rough bits about being a Councillor – there are some - on various occasions there is, on occasion the sense of achievement and with that, I support the Motion.
Cllr. The Hon. Mr. Stephen Luxton:
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I would also like to begin by welcoming our new CBF to this House and to the Islands. I think you are the third Commander I have welcomed, which makes me feel like I have been here a long time. But I think the Honourable Norma Edwards must be well into double figures by now.
Well, bang goes four years, aye? I don’t know if I am getting old or what but it doesn’t seem like that long. Four years, forty-six lots of monthly meetings, I think somewhere over 1,000 ExCo papers, probably a 10 foot high pile of shredding – each - and what have we achieved? There certainly have been some interesting challenges along the way. I guess it’s caused most people to revise their ambitions downwards. Who in this room thought in November 2001 that we would be dealing with not one squid crisis but three – not me for sure. Some of the decisions that have been taken as a result of that have not been easy but they had to be made. And, I think, by in large, most people respected that it had been a difficult task and while not everybody agreed with the things that had been done, as is so often the case, we had to compromise. It hasn’t all been bad, though. The other day I re-read my broadcast manifesto of four years ago. I said then that I would like to see a tax regime that took the lower paid workers out of the tax bracket completely We now have that and I hope many people will have benefited from it by now.
As I am not going to be a candidate, I am going to dwell for a moment on what I’d like to see in the next Council. The threat from that lot over the water hasn’t diminished in the last four years. In fact, quite the opposite and I take the point Councillor Summers made a moment ago about how the harassment hasn’t actually affected us by much. The next Council, I think, a strong line on Argentina is pretty much essential to defend our interests. As several Squid collapses have shown, a pretty hard line on budgeting is likely to be essential and any candidates should be prepared to make tough decisions if they are to be elected. We might have oil. I believe we will, Declaring an interest, I very much hope we do or I will be out of a job. But in budgetary terms at this stage, I think the Falkland Islands should treat it very much like a white Christmas. It will be wonderful if it happens. But I don’t think people should be at the top of the hill with their sleigh weighting. Stuff like the tarmacing of the MPA Road is fine. Everybody would like that but it’s still got to be paid for. And, if there isn’t any oil, and the Illex clear off permanently, then I really think it would be foolish to pay a heap of money for that. Becau se there are, quite simply, bigger priorities. Personally, if we had a bit of spare money to spend on roads, I would sooner it went on Ross Road than the MPA Road.
Important stuff like Medical Services, Education have taken priority in this Council. And, I sincerely hope they will in the next one, too. Camp roads have been a particular interest of mine and I hope the next council will see them through to the point of conclusion. I am sad, in a way, that I won’t be around to see the programme finished but I hope those that follow after November will give them some priority.
Something else I have always stood for is not regulating things that don’t need to be regulated. On many occasions we have regulations forced upon us from elsewhere. There often isn’t much that can be done about that. And areas like conservation and our international obligations often become more complicated as a result. But for our own affairs, I think a sensible attitude must prevail. We don’t need designated camp roads. We don’t need to clamp down on firearms. There isn’t a problem with these things. Nor, as this morning’s newspaper editorial suggested, is there a problem with farmers hell bent on wiping out everything with less than four legs from their farms. But I think my hope is that future councils will continue to allow people to do what they have always done and take a sensible attitude in such matters.
One endangered species that does concern me is the relatively small number of candidates that have so far declared that they are standing in the election, though I don’t doubt that there will be a few more nearer the time. I’m not standing this time because I, regrettably, won’t have the time with my other commitments. But I really would recommend it to anybody who thinks they might like to try it, to give it a go. At the very worst, it will only cost you £100.00. But I would go as far to say that everybody who can should try it at least once. Working as a Councillor gives you a degree of insight into what goes on and how the Country and the Government works. It is probably unmatched by any other job.
I may not be standing this time but I am certainly not ruling it out again for the future, as it’s been a fascinating experience. Sometimes it can be boring, other times very rewarding but I have no regrets at all about doing it.
As I indicated last time, I will be doing some sort of workshop for anybody who is thinking about standing. Unfortunately, in fine Falklands tradition, it’s going to happen a bit later than I thought due to some other commitments I have for the next couple of weeks. But some time in the first half of October, myself and I think the Honourable John Birmingham and the Chief Executive will be having a session one evening to try and let folks know what they may be letting themselves in for.
On to my thank-yous and farewells, The Honourable Norma Edwards is also standing down at the end of this Council after 20 odd years. And, nobody can question the enormous contribution you made over all those years. Norma, over the time I have worked with you, you stamped your own unique style on the discussions we have as Councillors and, most importantly, you have never compromised at all on the things you believe strongly in and I very much respect you for that. I would like to wish you all the best with your future. And, I hope for the sake of the next Council, if your husband brings cakes to GPC they are the ones you have cooked and not him.
I must also take the opportunity to thank all sorts of people, far too many to name individually but all those who put a great deal of work into committees and portfolios I deal with and generally made everything work over the last four years. I think the mark of a good portfolio is one that runs so smoothly that it needs little day to day intervention by the chair. I have been fortunate in having some of those during this Council. It makes you realise that whatever grumbling there is about FIG – and there can be quite a lot some times – at the end of the day there are some every fine and able people working for this Government and I thank you for making my life as a Councillor so much easier. That’s particularly true for the ladies in Gilbert House, who are indispensable, I think.
I would also like to thank briefly those who voted for me last time, particularly those who said they hoped I would go on to run this time around. It makes a nice change from the “What are you going to do about this?” phone calls. It makes you think that you get something right occasionally. Of course the only real way you know you got it right is when you stand for re-election. But I guess I will have to wait a while for that one.
Finally, I would just like to thank my colleagues for their kind words and that’s about it for me so I will be back.
Mr. Speaker, I support the Motion.
Cllr. the Hon. Mrs. Norma Edwards:
In rising for the final time to support the Motion for Adjournment, may I just say that 20 years ago, when we were around this table, you were a very senior Member of the Government of the day and I was a brand new Member of the Government of the day. And, everybody else was male because I was the first female elected to the Government of the Falkland Islands.
And, I looked around at this lot and I wondered how I was going to cope with it and I remembered when I was nursing and in particular when we got a mad drunk running around the place in casualty and how we used to cope with it. We used to call in a couple of porters, grab him and de-bag him and put his trousers in the drugs cupboard and locked them away. And, once he had a bare bottom it took all the steam out of him. And I thought if I had to fight my corner with this lot, I couldn’t latterly bag them but what I can do is psychologically de-bag them. And, I must admit that over the years I did indulge in that – sometimes – with some success, I might say. But never with you, of course, Mr. Speaker, because you were always a perfect gentleman.
And now, 20 years on, this, for you is your last day serving this Council and mine and I wish you well for the future – for your future retirement. No doubt we will see each other about the place and remember from time to time.
It’s been a bitter rollercoaster ride over the years – some good times – some bad – but always interesting. And during that time, great changes have happened to the Falklands. We are a richer country – much richer than we were when I first came to Council. And, I have to say, in my opinion, we are not really as content as we were. Riches haven’t made us more content. We get more gripes and grumbles and all the rest of it but I suppose it’s because the more you have the more your expectations rise and people expect more money and more for their money.
And, I do think that we have got ourselves so wrapped up in red tape and we live in fear of being accused of human rights infringements or racism or bullying or litigation for all kinds of things that we may or may not have said or done. And that is one of the reasons why I am not standing for Council again – one of the reasons.
With me, what you see is what you get and I have to speak my mind. And, I feel the time has come now when you’ve got to be so careful each time you open your mouth you wonder if big brother is watching you and what am I going to say. Sooner or later I will not just open my mouth and put just one foot in it but both of them. So, I think it’s time I went.
As I said, over the years on Council there have been many changes. The instigation of the Fisheries Regime, of course, was the biggest one of all and that enabled us put all kinds of money into the infrastructural development and into reserves. It was very satisfying and still is.
Of course we are at a financial situation where it’s not so good. But it’s not disastrous. And, people in the Falklands are very resilient, very adaptable and I have no doubt at all that people and the councillors of the day will cope with whatever is thrown at them and, whatever Argentina puts in the way of trying to put a spanner in the works. And, they will come out very well. I am sure of that. And, I think that future councillors must take note of the fact that Argentina mustn’t be allowed to continue to say the Islands are theirs and it’s their right - it’s our rights that we should be propounding all the time. We tend to say that they will never give up their claim to the Falklands. I don’t look at it like that. I have said all along that when they give up their claim to the Falklands, that’s when we should be talking to
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