St Ouen

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

Mr Connetable, Ladies and Gentlemen

1. You will probably associate me most with discharging my ministerial duties as the minister responsible for the economy. 
   
   
2. This perhaps does not make this election the most easy. 
   
   
3. Whilst my Politics are more than about finance, I do believe that a strong economy delivers jobs security and keeps taxes as low as possible and has the capacity of looking after our environment.
   
   
4. I am proud to have been part of a small team that has created one of the strongest most resilient economies of any small nation state in the world. 
   
   
5. Whilst we are not going to be immune from the global turmoil with no debt and sound public finances, I am confident that we can weather the difficult times ahead. 
   
   
6. You will hear people knock Jersey and what has been achieved - I don’t - I am proud of Jersey, our culture, our community, the standard of our services, our honorary system and our economy.
   
   
7. Independent figures released earlier this week show economic development has delivered by productivity in local growth for local people.
   
   
8. Globally we are seeing extreme turbulence in world markets; quite understandably people are asking me about the security of their money.
   
   
9. I do not want to play politics with the economy, but I do want to say this. 
   
   
10. Jersey is a huge liquidity centre, we are not an Iceland, we have not taken the risk that other places have and we have, on top of that, some of the toughest regulations of any nation in the world. This will stand the test of time and this is not only hugely significant it is the reason why, unlike other places, we have been able to guarantee the security of local deposits.
    
    
11. Diversification is also vital.
    
    
12. Yesterday I met a new e-commerce company considering setting up a small operation which could play an enormous part in e-commerce. 
    
    
13. Events are also important and this morning, I was delighted to have started the Motor Cycle and Light Club Car Rally. With more public money and support from the private sector the Battle of Flowers and the International Air Display - these important events are secure for the future.
    
    
14. More than that the Boat Show, Kyran Bracken’s Ice Show, and the Branchage Film Festival - these don’t happen by accident.
    
    
15. I believe in tourism too and by merging Harbours and Airports and Tourism we have got low cost airlines, new routes, an increase in passenger arrivals (10% in over 2 years) and record investment in hotels. 
    
    
16. I determined that we can do more for business and that is why we have set up Jersey Enterprise which is now helping thousands of businesses.
    
    
17. 6 years ago I made a number of promises, a competition law and reform and an end to unfair rates. These policies have helped pensioners, low and middle income families and saved islanders a significant amount of money.
    
    
18. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am not one of those politicians you only hear from at election time. My manifesto can give constructive cost solutions.
    
    
19. In 6 days time you will choose 6 of us as Senators. Senators who will lead the island through more challenging times.
    
    
20. If you want a candidate who has earnt a reputation for hard work, who works as a team and cares about the future of their jobs and has got a proven track record.
    
    
21. I hope you will consider me for one of your votes.