Bruno Kay-Mouat

Manifesto

My name is Bruno Kay-Mouat. I was born in Caen, France. I am married to Janette, and we have a son, Joe, who has represented Guernsey in the Island Games and Commonwealth Games. Last but not least we have Bob the cat, who is a rescue cat from Manchester. I initially grew up in Alderney, but at the age of 9 went to school in Jersey and then at 18 went to Liverpool polytechnic where I studied Maritime Studies. I have a degree in Maritime Studies and am a Chartered Shipbroker. I have worked in logistics for over thirty years and continue to do so. In the past I was a keen hockey player and wake boarder, but now I am a keen all year- round sea swimmer. I also enjoy driving my digger and fishing.

Key Points 

• Let’s get things done, less talk, more results.
• Communication/ Transport, we’re an island we need reliable and affordable connectivity.
• The States needs to review spending and make itself efficient without reducing services.
• The Bailiwick needs harmonising, and the islands need to work together.
• Housing solutions need to be found.
• Tax: let’s deal with costs and look for alternative revenue streams.

Most manifestos appear to state what a candidate says he or she will do or what they have done previously, I promise to ….. In reality little is achieved and often the statements made are designed to lure voters into believing that the person will carry out what they are promising, the reality is often very different.

We all know what needs to be done in general terms and that is where I hope we can go. At the end of each term there is normally a consensus that the incumbent States is the worst that there has ever been and nothing has been achieved and plenty has been wasted, both in time and financially.

As individuals little can be achieved, but collectively, we should be able to achieve plenty. We need to do less talking and more action. Policy should be based on effective and meaningful objectives which promote efficiency and accountability. Government owned and controlled organisations need to be dynamic but also effective; if they are to be economic enablers, they need to be transparent but also truly offer economic development, they can’t just be supported at any cost.

We need to stop offering subsidies to organisations that are inefficient due to their having no accountability for losses. Government operated businesses should be our ambassadors, they should be shining examples of what we can do. Just imagine if you arrived in Guernsey and as you walk into the airport you are greeted with a ‘Good Morning and Welcome to Guernsey’.

Connectivity

It is the worst it has ever been and we all know that, whether it be by sea or air. Routes between the islands are irregular, unreliable and expensive. This needs to change. We need strong inter-island connectivity between all the islands and especially Jersey as well as the UK. We presently offer subsidies to at least three ferry companies, a bus operator and one airline and in theory they all compete. This is not joined up thinking. We need a clear strategy, let’s aim to get regular services between the islands and make it affordable, let’s make it a pleasant experience so the customer wants to travel rather than does so out of necessity.

Spending

This goes hand in hand with the tax debate. If we spend less, then we need to generate less. Unfortunately spending seems to generally increase but are we getting value for money? Are the spenders accountable? Does the island get what it deserves? Are we paying too many people and not getting enough back? Tenders should be better monitored and less prescriptive; if we are asking for a specialist job to be performed then don’t tell them how to do it, ask for the best and most cost effective - make it truly competitive.

Tax

We need it to pay for stuff, but before we look to increase it for everyone why don’t we look at where we are spending it? If we look at efficiency, which doesn’t just mean cost cutting, we might not need more money. Vanity projects need to stop, if we have large surpluses then we can look at projects that involve building huge new harbours and moving the power station, but not in the present economic environment. We need to focus on getting the present right and then start planning ahead.

Cost efficiency should be driven by accountability. Consultants should be used when necessary but not as a matter of course. States employees at all levels should be accountable for their relative responsibilities; managers should manage and bring value to the organisation for which they work. Objectives should be set, implemented, and measured. If increased revenue for the island is truly needed, we should look at alternative sources as well as tax. Possible joint ventures with the private sector should be encouraged, but the main initial cost should be borne by the private sector. A ships registry could be an example, for commercial shipping an offshore wind/tidal farm could be another?

As I initially said being a deputy in my eyes is not about what I can achieve it’s about what we should be trying to achieve.

I can’t change everything but I hope that with other like-minded people we can.

A vote for Bruno, is a start and remember, ‘you could do worse’.