Falklands : The Election Manifesto of Sharon Halford
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 21.10.2009 (Article Archived on 04.11.2009)
Candidates for the November election have their say about matters relevant in the Falklands
Manifesto of Sharon Halford
PROFILE
Born 27.11.1953
Married to John 18.11.1972
Two grown up daughters
First elected to Legislative Council in October 1993 and returned in October 1997
Interests: Gardening, horse riding, fishing and my quad bike.
MY PLEDGE
I have decided to stand for election as I believe we need to get the Falklands back on track and heading in the right direction. In standing for the Camp Constituency I realise that if elected, in addition to representing the Camp Constituency, I will also need to work towards the best long term interests for the future of the Falklands as a whole, and the residents therein.
I have no interests in any company other than Falkland Farmers, and being retired time is now my own, well apart from looking after the husband. In addition to undertaking the work commitments of the Legislative Assembly once a year I would endeavour to visit all those residents in camp, who wished to see me.
I am under no illusion that the next four years could well be problematic from time to time, both internally and externally, and we will need to be firm and positive in our resolve. Many decisions will have to be taken, not all of which will be popular to everyone or palatable to those faced with having to make them. If elected I would not sit on the fence or be out of the room when faced with a difficult decision, however I would stand by and defend the decisions I made. Being one of eight I would need other like-minded people to agree with me to achieve some of my aims.
I strongly believe that every elected Member should be a representative voice of the people and not use that privileged position to further their own interests. Your Assembly Member is your choice. I hope you will consider me worthy of your support.
FINANCE - Our largest source of income is still reliant on the fishing industry which is not a guaranteed or stable source of income. Oil exploration is to be undertaken once more during the coming season but there is no guarantee that we will receive money from this venture soon or in the future. I believe we have been living beyond our means and that this should stop before we go too far down the slippery slope, many of us remember the times of grant in aid. The recent credit crunch (world recession) should have given everyone a wake-up call and made them realise that it is not sensible to live beyond ones means. I believe we should be doing our best to live within a balanced budget, even if this necessitates cutting back on some desirable aspects of spending, and adding to the Consolidated Fund rather than taking from it. At its current level this fund would not sustain the Falklands for too long if the going were to get tough.
FIG - Instead of leading by example and taking the greatest cuts the staffing levels and remuneration of government appear to be spiralling out of control. Who said the computer revolution would reduce the number of workers! To me FIG is like a tree with branches spreading everywhere, some of which are getting well overgrown. This tree needs a thorough and good pruning, without which it is likely to topple over through sheer weight of management. One branch is FIDC and I question its affordability in the current climate. I feel it has run its course and should be phased out.
CAPITAL PROJECTS - We need to look carefully at capital projects and what they will cost to maintain after completion. Does every project need to be over the top for our needs or top of the range in its field? To build a capital structure and then abandon it is a waste of the public purse, the dairy springs to mind.
The camp track infrastructure has been a large capital project which has received considerable funding since 1980. If it is to support what is expected of it, it will continue to need funding until such time as the tracks are properly capped to enable them to become roads.
The abattoir and the cost of running it has been much criticised. Having invested a considerable sum in this plant I believe we should do our best to make it work, but not at any cost. It is currently of benefit to both Camp and Stanley.
We will always need a vessel to cross the ditch and service the outer islands. Now that the ferry is in place we need to try and make best use of this vessel and to this end the carriage of freight and the rates for farm trucks are, I suggest areas that still need to be addressed.
COMMUNICATIONS - Whilst Cable & Wireless have a monopoly on communications within the Islands there is no urgency for them to perform better. The introduction of broadband has improved communications dramatically, but for many on the Wymax system the Megabyte usage is diabolical at times as it seems to do its own excessive reading. There is obviously a problem with this system and until it is sorted it would be beneficial to the C&W image if those users affected were only charged the rental for their package. All too often the camp telephones are asleep, more deeply in some areas than others. There are never any rebates given on monthly bills for loss of service – why? Will it take someone to die before the system is sorted? I firmly believe that because of the (monopoly) agreement with C&W FIG should be exerting more pressure on them to deliver a better service.
Bearing in mind the technology of today the loss of the radio was unacceptable. Questions should be asked as to why this was allowed to happen and measures taken to try and ensure that it does not happen again in the future.
The reception of SSVC outside of Stanley & MPA needs urgent attention. This has been dragging on for many months now and is a disgrace. People living in camp, having received this service in the past, should be equally entitled to do so now. We need to be informed of just what fees we will be expected to pay for this service once it has been upgraded to the digital format. Without this information people are unable to make a decision on whether or not they can actually afford it.
FIGAS - This means of transport is unobtainable to some yet necessary to others. I would question whether or not the Shuttle Service is indeed making best use of the aircraft, and how much saving is actually being achieved when it is the policy to double charge for some passenger movements. How much damage is this policy doing to our tourism industry?
RURAL SECTOR ASSISTANCE - Like other FIG departments I think we should take a look at the Agricultural Department to see if we do indeed need all the posts. This department has benefited a number of farmers over the years and is still of help to many today. The FIP and Labour Schemes are ongoing and much appreciated but could do with some expansion to include the whole of the rural community. Not all people living in camp are farmers and if more are to be encouraged to boost the population then more private sector enterprise is to be encouraged.
Falklands farming is not text book but there is a wealth of knowledge out there amongst the farming community which should be drawn from and built upon. More use of this natural resource could perhaps put a stop to the wheel being reinvented in some areas. We are where we are today and all concerned should be encouraged to work towards what is best suited to their particular needs.
EDUCATION - We invest a lot of money in education sending our students overseas and should be ensuring that, where possible, these young people are afforded opportunities relevant to their qualifications when they return. They should be encouraged into the workplace, not have hurdles put in their path. If we do not do this we will continue to export our young professionals and bring in more contract officers. (I am not anti-contract officer, and appreciate that we will need this type of employee for some years to come. The contractors here have all applied for their jobs in good faith and I am sure are doing them to the best of their ability, it is not their fault that the posts were advertised but the fault of FIG policy makers.)
Some years ago we had a Youth Training Scheme for youngsters who wished to work in camp and learn about farming. This scheme gave participants an insight into all areas of farming, plus some management and horticultural work. I would support a similar scheme being reintroduced as currently there is nothing to entice would be young farmers back to the land.
PENSIONS - The pension contribution for people on lower incomes living in camp has now been stopped. Not in my view a cost cutting exercise as it is merely making a problem for the future when people will not be able to draw a full pension and will require further assistance from the state. I would like to see this pension scheme reinstated. It was originally introduced as a small incentive to encourage people to live in camp, an area we should not neglect.
To suggest our Senior Citizens should have to go cap in hand for their Christmas bonus pension is an insult to their lifetime commitment to the Falklands and this decision should be reversed immediately.
LAND ISSUES - People born in the Falklands and Status holders should not have to beg to the Lands Committee or Exco for the right to own property in the Falklands. This situation is not acceptable by any standard and needs urgent attention.
At present only residents are eligible to purchase houses in Stanley, but anyone can purchase the same in Camp. I would like to see this discrimination cease whatever the rules they should apply throughout the islands.
In all but one instance FIG has not as yet reclaimed the land over which the camp tracks have been built. I think it is important for this exercise to be undertaken soonest. At present no landowner knows how much land the government is going to lay claim to where they have built the camp tracks and I believe this needs to be defined. Crown Grants should be annotated showing the loss of land in case of future sales. I feel this exercise would also safeguard the landowner from the possibility of larger claims in the future.
I do not like the current policy of selling building plots in Stanley, with ridiculously high reserve prices, to the highest bidder. If FIG are going to pursue this policy then they will need to build more social housing as it will be beyond the reach of many to build their own home. I would like to see more affordable building plots on offer at set prices.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS - As to Argentina we should maintain our stance – Sovereignty is not negotiable. We will need to continue to be ever vigilant of their antics.
Nearly everyone I have spoken to recently feels that we are fast heading back to the 1970’s, a place where none of us wish to return to, and in this regard I believe we will have to be ever mindful and vigilant of the FCO in the future.
Finally much of the above is a wish list of mine and, if elected, would not be possible without the support of the majority of the Assembly Members.
Please do exercise your right to vote. Your elected Assembly Member is your choice.
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