Welcome

I am standing for the States to create a fairer society based on constructive, effective government.

I was a States member previously for two terms in St Helier number 1. During that time I served both in government, and as the Chair of a Scrutiny panel. My achievements included the creation of the stabilisation fund, which led to the fiscal stimulus package that has helped many businesses ride out this recession.

I have had a 40 year business career, owning and running companies including Cleveland Garages, Freelance Toyota and Augres Landscaping.

I believe we still need an alternative voice in the States, but from someone who can actually achieve change, and who remains positive about Jersey.

If elected, I will get to work on:

• Proposing 0% GST on food, on moral grounds;

• Proposing a review of means testing that forces many people to sell their homes to pay for health care in old age (this is a stealth inheritance tax);

• Helping young people buy homes by introducing tax credits on mortgage interest for 1st time buyers;

• Spending controls and cutting waste but not at the cost of teachers, nurses, and police;

• I am a ‘Line in the Sand’ supporter. Planning and Environment Departments may need to be split – there are too many conflicts;

• Helping hard working young families with children by introducing child tax credits instead of child allowance through the inflexible 20 means 20 system that doesn’t work for them;

• Let’s turn the negative into a positive by using any money earned from burning Guernsey’s waste in our incinerator for initiatives such as home insulation and renewable energy;

• I fought to establish a Stabilisation Fund, now worth £144m, to help Jersey ride any recession. Although some of the money is being used to save jobs and boost confidence, it has also been spent on propping up States Departments’ maintenance budgets. It was never intended for this;

• Having been a States member for 6 years, I think ten fewer States Members would not be missed and would vote for reform;

• I am in favour of a ‘Freedom of Information’ law. Ministerial Government needs refining.

I believe that representing the whole island means that I need to spend time listening to your views and in discussion with you so that I can better understand your needs and aspirations.This means that I will be adding new sections during the course of the campaign as questions are asked during hustings that require a more considered or detailed response. I will include a dated index at the end of this welcome message to help readers select the latest 'news' sections as required.

If you particularly wish to discuss something or have me call you, please either email me by clicking on 'contact me' and then the email link (Patrick@patrickryan.je), or call on 07797715430 mobile or 851934 at home. Please leave a message on the home phone tape if I'm not available.

I am looking forward to seeing old friends again on my travels around the Island and meeting new ones.

Patrick Ryan
Rievaulx, La Rue de Sorel, St John, JE3 4AA