St Brelade

Please note:- Notes and content should be checked against final delivery

Mr Constable, Ladies and Gentlemen

1. In less than 2 weeks time you shall choose six of us, who in all likelihood, will be called to serve as Ministers.
   
   
2. Ministers who will lead departments, represent our Island, more than that, be called to steer the Island through what is clearly going to be challenging economic times. 
   
   
3. As a sitting Minister this election is a much higher test and rightly so.
   
   
4. Six years ago I made a number of promises to the people of St Brelades - I have delivered on each one of them. 
   
   
5. I solved the unfair rates burden, delivered a competition law and delivered projects such as Broad Street and improved social justice in housing and conceived shared equity.
   
   
6. Ladies and Gentlemen. I am not one of those politicians you only hear from at Election time.
   
   
7. I believe in constructive politics, team work, respect and efficiency in getting things done.
   
   
8. Whilst my politics are more than finance, for past the last 3 years I have discharged the duties of the Minister responsible for the Economy. 
   
   
9. In that role I am proud to say that we have delivered some of the best Economic performances in the world
   - not as some would have you believe by population increases in finance but by diversification and harnessing the skills of local people
   
   
10. Two thirds of our economic growth has been delivered by productivity - this is important as it funds a caring public services.
    
    
11. The global outlook is changing
    
    
12. Having spent much of the past week assessing the impact of the financial global turmoil on Jersey, we can say with some confidence that Jersey is very well placed to weather any storms ahead. 
    
    
13. This Ladies and Gentlemen does not happen by accident.
    
    
14. In recent days there has been discussions for a need for a Depositor Protection Scheme and I understand the concern. 
    
    
15. What I will say is that protection Schemes are there to deal with problems after they have happened.
    
    
16. Jersey is one of the worlds best regulated offshore banking centres.
    
      
17. 90% of local deposits are with the top 100 banks. 
    
    
18. This is hugely significant.
    
    
19. This evening, after some hard work with colleagues in Guernsey, we announced plans to protect all deposits of local residents. 
    
    
20. I hope this statement gives you the residents of St Brelades considerable comfort. 
    
    
21. I am alsoconfident that this will not risk public money. 
    
    
22. Three minutes is not nearly enough for me to set out my policies and manifesto - you can see my manifesto of www.ozouf.je 
    
    
23. It includes my vision for a positive Jersey with deliverable solutions including elderly health care schemes and how to make efficient spending and something which the residents of St Brelades know I feel strongly about - Law and Order.
    
    
24. Ladies and Gentlemen, I care about Jersey and its future.
    
    
25. If you want a candidate with a proven track record that is capable of steering Jersey through difficult times then I hope you will consider me for one of your votes.