Falklands : The Election Manifesto of Bill Luxton
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 22.10.2009 (Article Archived on 05.11.2009)
You may wonder why I have decided to throw my hat into the election ring again after eight years out of it - and not getting any younger.
The Election Manifesto of William "Bill" Luxton
Bill Luxton
You may wonder why I have decided to throw my hat into the election ring again after eight years out of it - and not getting any younger.
Well – there are two main reasons really – the first is the dreadful state of Camp services and in particular to the West and the small islands.
The second is that I think the last Council and the totally Stanley orientated and inward looking administration are completely out of touch with the people they are supposed to govern. It is time for a change.
There is one thing I would like to make very clear right at the beginning. Griz and I are lucky enough to have a small home in the South of France where we can get away from the Falkland Winter. At nearly three score years and ten I don’t know how much longer I will be able to do this so I am not prepared to give up my winter period away. If you chose to elect me to the Legislature I will probably have more free time in the summer here than most camp members and would be able to play a full part in the job. With modern communications – fax, phone and internet, I believe I could keep well up to date during the winter and always be at the end of a phone or e mail. I would also be available for any duties in Europe if needed.
If you did elect me it would probably not be popular with other members and I have to say to you that if you do not think I could represent you properly in this way – then you should not vote for me.
On to the issues…
I don’t remember a time when people in Camp were so disillusioned and totally fed up with the level of services that they receive. Some people have no TV – no radio – and sometimes no phone or internet either for lengthy periods.
I bet that if you took the TV service away from Stanley for several months there would be rioting in the streets and you can bet your bottom dollar something would be done rapidly whereas it seems nothing is happening to get our service back.
Many of the roads are almost impassable in the winter and the ferry service has tried to be all things to all men and is failing on all fronts. In the many years leading up to its introduction most of the people involved assumed that a two ship operation would be necessary – a smaller dedicated cross sound ferry and something the size of the old Forrest to service the islands and deliver bulk fuel and so on. The precipitate disposal of Tamar was yet another ghastly mistake. Concordia Bay just cannot manage a dependable service to the islands with the inevitable weather delays as well as run a regular and reliable ferry service. The next Council must address this problem although no easy and affordable solution is immediately obvious.
The shipping of the wool clip from West Falkland is a matter of deep concern for farmers and some firm arrangement needs to be put in place immediately and it needs to be one that will not kill farmers cash flow situation.
The present operation of FIGAS is also causing a lot of concern – especially to those involved in the tourist industry. I am deeply suspicious about the alleged savings and I would want to look very closely at the figures. Lots of people have made the comment that its time the “S” was put back into FIGAS.
As for the Government machine – well it seems to be totally out of control. The Holiday Credits and Child benefits had to be cut so we could employ yet another £100,000 a year faceless bureaucrat. When the election papers came out there was a list of Senior Civil Servants who may not stand for election. Some of them I had never heard of – I have no idea what they do and I reckon out of the 36 on that list about 30% could be got rid of tomorrow and no one would miss them. The last Council seem to have been completely supine in the face of an aggressive Chief Executive building up his own empire. Its time the brakes were put on.
I question the value of FIDC and the effectiveness of the Agricultural Dept too. I don’t think FIDC would be missed at all and the gross mismanagement of the Stanley Dairy business merits a public enquiry. It is a disgrace to the Islands that we do not have a fresh milk supply. Some one should have been allowed to have the wreckage and attempt a rescue – Malcolm Ashworth showed it was possible to make it work for many years!
The state of our sheep farming is a serious worry. Under the guidance of the Agricultural Dept., Falkland Landholdings was going to be a shining beacon for the rest of us to emulate. I cannot find all the figures but an example is North Arm – in 94/95 North Arm sheared 72,500 sheep and clipped 249,000 kilos of wool. Last year they sheared 53,300 sheep and clipped 174,400 kilos.
Island wide we have gone from shearing over 666,000 sheep in 91/92 to 460,500 last year – a drop of over 200,000
In the same period the wool clip has dropped from 2.77 million kilos to 1.64 million kilos – over a million kilos lost! If this trend continues we are in serious trouble.
We need to take a long hard look at the Agricultural Dept and its value to farming.
I believe we should make every effort to maintain our excellent health service. Many cuts can be made in the Government machine before we need to cut there.
I also believe we must continue to fund the further education of our young people. It is vital that we do so and eventually have our own people in senior positions instead of contract officers from overseas.
There are many other important things affecting camp and the whole Islands that I do not have time to touch on just now but I am always at the end of a phone to discuss any concerns. My number is 42296.
Finally I have to mention the people across the water. You could call me a hard liner I suppose but my feelings towards Argentina have not changed in 30 years. When they drop their ridiculous claim then we can talk but until them I want them playing no part at all in our lives. We are a self governing territory under the protection of Britain – how can anyone expect us to want to become an Argentine colony?
Thank you for reading this – whoever you vote for – please do vote. Democracy is a precious thing to have and we should care for it.
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