St Saviour

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Mr Constable, Ladies and Gentlemen

1. This great Parish Hall has very many happy memories of the Parish system at its best. However tonight is also tinged with some sadness.
   
   
2. The picture of the man who hangs in the corner was my father, a Jersey man, someone who I know was admired by many. I miss his wisdom, support and advice but I was proud to be his son and a son of St Saviour.
   
   
3. I am especially grateful for the support that I have received from the Parishioners of St Saviour.
   
   
4. 6 years ago I set out a number of pledges.
   
   
5. For the last 3, whilst I have discharged the duties for the minister responsible for the Economy, who unlike some, I say I am proud of what we have achieved.
   
   
6. The things I am most proud of have been delivering a solution to the unfair rates in St Saviour and the other urban Parishes.
   
   
7. But also a competition law that banned price fixing and cartels and has at last started to make a difference to the unacceptable high cost of living in Jersey.
   
   
8. States spending, better use of States assets and an elderly health care scheme - my politics are more than about the economy.
   
   
9. I believe in constructive politics and you can read my full manifesto on ozouf.je
   
   
10. I do understand that many of you here tonight will be understandably concerned about the consequences of the evolving financial crisis around the world. 
    
    
11. I am not going to play politics with economic uncertainly but I want to say this, of course we are not going to be unaffected by this turmoil, but as a deposit centre, Jersey with one of toughest regulatory systems in the world, is uniquely placed to be able to weather the current turmoil.
    
    
12. This has not happened by accident, 90% of our local deposits are with the worlds strongest and that is why we are in a position to guarantee the security of your deposits. Not from tax payers money but a strong message on reassurance based upon the facts.
    
    
13. In 8 days time you will choose 6 of us to lead the island through what is clearly going to be more challenging times, you may not have agreed with every decision that I or the Council of Ministers have taken in the last 6 years.
    
    
14. If you want a candidate who has a reputation for hard work, does not shirk responsibility, who cares about people and their jobs in the future, that also has the experience to help steer the island through the coming months and years, I hope you will consider me for one of your votes.