Falklands : Falklands - The Election Manifesto of John Birmingham
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 14.12.2007 (Article Archived on 28.12.2007)
John Birmingham was defeated in the 2005 Election.
THE ELECTION MANIFESTO OF JOHN BIRMINGHAM
Good evening.
My name is John Birmingham. By their very nature by elections are unexpected and this one has come about exactly mid way in the life of a Council will make it extra interesting and may well send a message to the present Council.
Although I am standing to represent the Stanley constituency, the reality is that decisions are most certainly – financial decisions – are made by the whole Council regardless of which constituency a Councillor represents.
I am standing for election for the same reasons that I stood for elections in the past, the main one being a wish to serve the Islands that I first came to 34 years ago.
Whoever is voted in on the 3rd of January will be joining a Council that has already made the major policy decisions for this term. There are, however, issues that I am interested in that I believe make me suitable to represent you – the electorate.
I am also standing because I feel unhappy with the way in which some decisions have been made, with seemingly little regard for what’s gone before. Surely a prime example is the attempted withdrawal of the pre-paid electricity cards. Did nobody really ask a simple question around the table – why were they introduced in the first place?
Every prospective Councillor has to have an opinion on the Argentine question. This Council has shown firmness and has been consistent with previous Councils in not being intimidated by pressures brought about by the Argentine Republic. I would do the same.
Although I am mystified by the connection we have built up with Canadian politicians has seemingly been allowed to lapse. The visit here by those Parliamentarians three years ago was a great success and we need friends wherever we can get them. Complacency is dangerous.
But this election, I believe, is about local issues. And, by that, I mean the economy and jobs, housing, medical services, and education. The economic situation is interesting in that only months ago we had tax increases that came completely out of the blue. I was part of the last Council that put in place the new tax legislation. And, one of the foundations for those changes was that there would be stability and no surprises. So, why was there what can only be described as a knee-jerk reaction to raise less than half a million Pounds from tax payers when, within months the FIG reported a surplus of millions.
Some of this apparent windfall has to be invested in projects that have a chance of a financial return. The one area that is sadly lacking in major investment is Tourism. And, if elected, I would fully support what is becoming not only a major income stream to the Islands but also a significant employer.
I’d like to also defend the democratic right of people to criticise and comment on large spending projects and believe it is wrong to pillory individuals who dare to put their head over the trench accusing them of being anti a particular part of the community.
While there are parts of the Mike Hart Overview Paper that are up for argument, there are also comments of his that should be taken seriously.
On housing, as a prime mover in the East Stanley Development I remain interested in housing and am of the opinion that the in-filling of the centre of Stanley with housing has been short-sighted and would, if given the opportunity, do my best to identify and push for a new development with financial support from the Falkland Islands Government. I do not believe that any private builder has the financial clout to invest the sort of monies required.
Generally, I think we are well served by the Medical Department but there are a few practical measures I would like to see put in place, such as making parking opposite the Hospital restricted to a short time – the same as it is outside of the bank and the Mineral Resources Offices.
I want to see electric doors placed at the entrance to the Hospital. They are practical and they are now necessary. And, it isn’t rocket science. By the time the new ambulance arrives I would like to see it living in its own garage and not rusting away like its predecessors.
The money going to be spent on an exercise referral officer would, if it had been allocated to improvements to the sports and football field, have had a bigger and more effective input in promoting a healthy lifestyle. A dental hygienist would also, in my opinion, have been better value and benefited a far greater proportion of the community. There is another important area within the medical services and that is mental health. Currently there is a vacancy there. And, that has to be filled as soon as possible.
Education has had its share of problems. I remain unconvinced that the solution is simply to put more non-teaching middle management in place. And, is the Primary School approaching full capacity or not? There needs to be some serious decisions about the future long-term needs not just for the Department itself but again because of the impact on us all.
I believe the time has come to move to a purpose-built hostel for Camp students boarding in Stanley. My view of the Stanley House site is as before. It should be a centre for senior citizens. And, there is ample room for more sheltered housing around Stanley House. The Yates Close build, for which I was involved, I still consider to be phase one.
This Council needs to be aware that immigration is a concern. Two years on, and where is the policy?
My interests are broad from the price of fuel to the speedsters on the roads at night with their boom-boom boxes.
I have carried many a case in a box up the Town Hall stairs and, if elected, I will do my best to get the decision not to put in a lift reversed. One of the reasons for the low usage of the Town Hall is this general problem of access. These are the kind of everyday things that are the bread and butter issues of Counselling. It’s not all conferences and speeches.
While serving on past Councils I was proud of my record following through with a constituent’s problem. I may not have always been able to bring good news but I always responded.
I am experienced and a team player but I am still a paid up member of the ’awkward Squad’ when necessary. I believe in fairness, openness and service.
And, if you, the electorate, decide to vote for me to represent you in this Council on January the 3rd, that is what you will get.
I’d like to thank you for listening to me this evening. Remember, on January the 3rd your vote really counts.
Thank you.
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