Falklands : ELECTION MANIFESTO OF STEVE VINCENT
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 11.06.2011 (Article Archived on 25.06.2011)
First, a little background history for those of you who may not know me; I first visited the Islands in 1981 whilst working for BAS.
ELECTION MANIFESTO OF STEVE VINCENT
First, a little background history for those of you who may not know me; I first visited the Islands in 1981 whilst working for BAS. After three years in the Antarctic I was dropped off here and decided to stay. Since 1984 I have made the Islands my home and live here happily with my wife, Jeanette and two sons.
I decided to stand for election because like you I care about the future of the Falkland Islands. And I feel I can offer a fresh perspective to some of the problems that currently face us.
We seem to be struggling economically with wages being hit by taxation and with the increased fuel and electricity prices to contend with, I am surprised anyone can afford to eat. I don’t think making life difficult for the population is going to do the country any favours in the long term so I would be looking for an alternative method of raising revenue; instead of lowering the tax threshold and charging tax on child allowance.
MST seems to have met little objection, so I assume every is happy to pay 1% from their wage as a contribution to health care. But why do employers have to pay 1.5% for each employee? It seems unreasonable to me.
The point is our people should be able to afford to live – not just exist. I am not in favour of bleeding the working man dry every time we need more money to employ another super head, especially when over £1Million can be found at a moment’s notice to build a container park.
So What can we do to ease the cost of living? We don’t seem to have any control over the fuel price or even how it is provided under a strict formula. It’s interesting to note that although our fuel price increased by 44% over the last year, England had a price rise of only 18% over the same period. So why are we paying so much more? It needs investigating and the results should be made public.
I do like the new local TV station and I think it’s long overdue. Now we have this asset for the community, wouldn’t it be a good idea for our elected representatives to appear on a programme each month with an update on what they have been doing. I, for one would welcome this as a positive move towards helping Government – a subject much discussed before the last election. The Legislative Assembly are elected by the people, to represent the people, so I think we are entitled to know what they are carrying out on our behalf.
I think the time is right to establish a shipping link with either Europe or the North American continent and exclude South America entirely. It’s regrettable but I think our hand has been forced by the backing Argentina received from its neighbours. My aim is to keep our way of life intact, so I am not in favour of the Nanny State and firmly believe democratic principles should guide our decision making. If the choice is possible it should be offered.
I have a view on some local issues such as the following:
· I think it’s embarrassing that a rural community such as ours cannot supply its population with fresh milk on a daily basis. A bigger effort should be made to reopen the dairy, with government backing if necessary
· Why do we have to pay departure tax to go on holiday? It feels wrong and should be axed.
· And when I buy a postage stamp I naturally assume my letter is going to be delivered, not chucked in a box 10 feet from where I posted it. I would like to see deliveries of mail, which is only what the duties of a post office normally include.
There are, of course, many more issues to consider and no doubt you, too, have areas of concern. So it you would like to hear my views on a subject close to your heart then give me a call or pop into the Print Shop for a chat and a cupper. I’ve always got time for a friendly discussion.
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