Preview of questions and answers submitted to JEP political correspondent
1. Population
Should there be a limit on the population of Jersey? If so, what?
We have almost reached saturation point. When we consider that so much of
our Island had been developed and yet there is still no end to the demand for
housing. New classrooms and schools continue to be built, the traffic congestion
at peak times, not to mention a sewerage system that needs a total overhaul, it
is obvious that we cannot continue to allow uncontrolled immigration. We should
be introducing a visa / points system such as is operated in Australia and
Canada, only bringing in people that the Island really needs .
2. Education
What proportion of further education fees should parents be required to pay?
In an ideal world, all education should be free, however as this is not
feasible, we could start with all university courses at Highlands being free as
many taxpayers cannot afford to pay these fees. Student loans are not the
answer. UK students are struggling to repay their loans many years after they
have completed their education and graduates no longer earn a premium salary.
How are they supposed to save a deposit for a home of their own whilst repaying
a university loan and soon having to pay 20% income tax without any allowances?
3. Overseas Aid
Should Jersey aim to meet the UN recommendation of giving 0.7% of its gross
national income (£23.8m in 2007) in overseas aid?
Definitely not. The people have made it quite clear that they believe
“charity begins at home”. Whilst we need charities like “Help a Jersey Child” we
obviously need more funds to remain in the Island so why should a tiny island
like ours be made to feel obligated to meet a quota set by huge countries? In
times of disaster the people of Jersey voluntarily rise to the challenge and of
their own free will go to extraordinary lengths to assist people in desperate
need. Charity is something given from the heart not through taxation.
4. Law and Order
Should Jersey introduce UK-style measures against anti-social behaviour, such as
ASBOs and dispersal zones, where only limited numbers can congregate?
An alternative solution which does not initially criminalise people is
currently successful in London. The system of handing out yellow cards bans
offenders from being in certain areas for a period of time and if they do not
leave they are heavily fined. This is an on-the-spot measure and is proving
effective in quickly diffusing potentially violent situations. We could expand
this to “3 strikes and you’re out” meaning you do get charged if you offend 3
times. Where potentially violent groups are congregating, those refusing to
disperse could be given a yellow card and made to leave the area.
5. Recycling
Should we be legally required to recycle more of our household waste? If so,
what should the target percentage be?
Recycling should be voluntary but with more facilities within walking
distance of built up areas. We should be investigating ways of setting up
facilities to make use of the separated materials locally as shipping it off
Island and then trucking it all over the UK causes as much damage to the
environment as not separating it in the first place. We need to examine the
options available – providing low interest loans or even subsidies for
businesses which will make use of recycled materials. We should have a
reclamation yard for items removed from buildings to be reused
6. Public assets
Should the States sell off more assets, such as public property and utilities?
The furore over the proposed sale of Jersey Telecoms is a good indication of
the public’s feelings. They are also not happy to sell properties such as the
College for Girls site as these have been in the public domain for many years
and are part of our heritage. Islanders hate to see public property fall into
the hands of developers but like to see them being restored and put to good
public use. If our public utilities fall into the hands of outside owners we
will have lost a major source of public income which is not sensible.
7. Prices
What would you do to make life easier for those Islanders struggling to cope
with rising food and fuel prices?
Remove GST. The idea of making the taxpayers fund the deficit to the public
purse caused through an ill-thought out concept of removing all taxes from
foreign owned companies is totally immoral. All that is necessary to fill the
“black hole” is to introduce another charge which is simply not a tax which
foreign owned companies all have to pay. The Isle of Man has introduced zero tax
and is losing business, whilst Luxembourg and Switzerland have refused to
implement it and are thriving. If we thus recoup the lost £600 exempt tax we can
reinstate our previous tax allowances.
8. Health
Should the States pay more towards the cost of visits to the doctor?
We should re-introduce HIE. This was an excellent system and currently Low
Income Support only pays for 4 visits to the doctor. This is ridiculous for
those on a low income who have to go to the doctor regularly for check-ups or
tests. We were better off under the old system where those who really could not
afford medical care did not have to worry about going to the doctor or even
calling him out if they had to – now if they fall sick they have the added
stress of how they are going to pay for it and what they will have to do without
simply to pay the doctor..
9. Environment
What steps would you propose to safeguard the future of Jersey's rural
environment and countryside economy?
Oppose development on green zones.
Make low interest loans available to start up new enterprises in the countryside
– Mr Quenault’s home dairy business is an excellent example of innovative
thinking. The vodka factory was another brilliant idea and would have been an
excellent development for La Collette. We should not just turn down enterprising
ideas, but rather encourage them and lend assistance in developing them and make
them fit into the Island’s structure.
Encourage young people back into agriculture through funding agricultural
college education (means tested).
Reduce freight and harbour costs.
10. Waterfront
Are the current Waterfront plans, including the sinking of the main road, the
right way forward?
The initial waterfront concept was supposed to be the solution to the
Island’s then already acute housing problem. Our parents were promised
affordable housing, a school, shops and green spaces. The housing situation is
much more desperate now yet we have built luxury flats which are often owned by
property investors, fast food restaurants, a cinema and a swimming pool where we
could have built what was really needed. Do the people need or want a sunken
road or a “Finance District?” We should ask them what they want. This would have
been a far more worthwhile and meaningful referendum.
11. Housing
How would you make accommodation more affordable for all Island residents?
Stop developments being sold to investors. Once speculation ends the market
will have to adjust to what local people can afford to pay for a property. We
should be building “homes for life” at affordable prices, not expensive
“starter” homes. Every time a property is sold the price rises but people cannot
remain in tiny properties when they start a family so they are forced to move.
We should ensure that rooms are a reasonable size through tough regulations and
also control immigration, retaining the housing qualifying period as whilst the
demand exceeds the supply prices will not fall.
12. Ageing Population
Should Jersey adopt the Guernsey system of making extra social security payments
to provide for an ageing population?
If we raised the Social Security ceiling or removed it completely, we would
have no problem with funding the old age pension deficit. Also, if we used the
“pot” from which free prescriptions are now funded we would no doubt go a long
way towards solving this problem very quickly. There would be no need to make
extra social security payments as in Guernsey.
13. States Spending
Should States spending be reduced? If so, how?
The States accounts are so complex that no-one really understands where the
money goes and incredibly mysterious “pots” of money appear every now and again.
The concept of shifting deficits and surpluses means departments do not have to
stick to their annual budget and is a total farce. We continue to see taxpayers’
money being wasted on things we neither want or need but have to travel to the
UK or Guernsey for medical treatment and scans. It isn’t just a case of reducing
States spending, it is also a case of getting their priorities right.
14. Youth
If you were 16, what political issues would you consider most important?
a) Whether there will be any green fields left for their children.
b) Whether they will ever be able to afford a home of their own.
c) That apart from the finance industry, there are very few well paid careers
open to them.
d) More provision for recreational activities, including covered facilities.
e) How further education costs are going to be funded.
15.Q&A
(i) Should Jersey unilaterally introduce Central European Time?
NO
(ii) Do you favour a casino for Jersey?
NO
(iii) Should food be exempt from GST?
YES everything should be exempt from GST
(iv) Do you aspire to ministerial office YES If so, which –
Education
However I don’t agree with ministerial government as I believe it is another
form of dictatorship.
(v) Who would you like to see as the new Chief Minister?
Whoever the people of Jersey choose – not the
States Assembly. Definitely not
Terry Le Sueur.
(vi) How much have you spent on your election campaign?
Under £1K so far.
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Thank you for giving me this opportunity to let you know how I stand on current issues:
I am totally opposed to this. We do need the Finance Industry but it would not be difficult to charge companies administered in Jersey the equivalent of the £600 exempt tax they no longer have to pay in another form. We need not have had a “black hole” at all if 0 -10 had not been rushed through and more thought had been given as to its implications. To believe that the ordinary people of Jersey can fund this deficit is totally impractical.
We need to provide more modern recreational facilities at prices young people can afford. We would like to see private enterprise fund and operate exciting new amenities so that the fort would once again be a place for young and old to socialise.
Not everyone wants or is able to pursue a career in Finance, we need to encourage diversification so that they have more choice and if they go away to college they can come back here to use the skills they have gained.
The Deemed Distributed Law will come into operation next year. The Jersey owners of Jersey companies will be personally taxed on all profits. They will then have to pay the full amount of Social Security. For many, combined with GST and the time it takes to complete all the paperwork required to run a business in Jersey, this will be the final straw.
We need to encourage new enterprises through low interest loans or simply practical guidance, for instance, if the site proposed isn’t suitable, then where would it be acceptable?
Our farmers and growers also require support. If we lose agriculture then we lose our green fields so we have to help them to find new ways of continuing in business.
These are just examples of where I stand on some of the current issues. I cannot promise to move mountains but I will fight for the ordinary people to be treated fairly and intend to be heard.
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Press Release – From Jeremy Maçon Deputy-Elect St Saviour No 1
Southern / Maçon emails
Firstly, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contacted me with their support.
The votejeremy@hotmail.com address is my election email and my campaign team and I have been using this to contact the media, other candidates and the electorate. This is not my private e-mail address so all members of my team can use this address and when they do they sign off under their own names. I re-iterate that it is not an official States Member’s email address.
Following my swearing-in, I shall naturally have my own private gov.je email address which will not be accessible to anyone else.
As promised during my election campaign I shall be holding my first meeting for everyone to air their views at St Saviour’s Parish Hall on Friday night at 7pm regarding the vote for Chief Minister. There will be a ballot box available for you to cast your vote.
For those of you who cannot attend this meeting, there will be a ballot box available all day on Friday at the Town Hall, all day on Saturday in town and on Monday in the Royal Square between 1 and 2pm.
Please take part in this public opinion poll.
Jeremy Maçon, Deputy-Elect St Saviour No 1