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Philip Ozouf

Philip Ozouf joined the States in 1999 when he was voted in as a deputy for St Helier, then six years ago he became a Senator.

He's the Minister for Economic Development and believes some of his greatest achievements have been in developing the tourism industry, notably through securing funding for the Battle of Flowers and creating new airlinks for the island.

Senator Ozouf supports government reform and says if he is re-elected he is keen to work on more cultural and social projects.

Manifesto

In the next few days islanders will choose six candidates who will in all likelihood be some of those States members who are called to serve as ministers.

Ministers who will lead departments, be responsible for millions of pounds of taxpayer’s money, represent the island in London and further afield, and what’s becoming increasingly clear also steer the island through a much more difficult economic situation that we’ve seen in the last three years.

I stood as a States member nine years ago, I came up through the ranks, six years ago being elected as a Senator. The last three years I’ve discharged the duties of Economic Development Minister, responsible for the economy.

Our economic growth over the last couple of years has been the envy of others. Whilst we don’t run businesses we create the climate and I’m very proud that we’ve created economic growth mainly delivered by productivity improvements, not by population increases which I know are of a huge concern to many islanders.

Whilst I’ve obviously been commenting mainly on economic matters over the last three years, my politics are much more than just about finance.

I’m a very independent politician, six years ago I set out a number of promises; for example I promised to deal with the unfair rates burden which meant that urban parishes were being unfairly charged welfare. I solved that my working with the constables and we’ve now solved the unfair rates burden across the island.

I also wanted to focus on St Helier, which is of course the main population centre for Jersey, and also where the majority of people work. Many listeners will perhaps remember Broad Street where I had a vision to improve town, and we delivered Broad Street and many other town improvements.

I’m perhaps best known for introducing a Competition Law, not as a minister but as an independent member, which at last outlawed cartels and price-fixing, and this has made a real difference and begun to make a difference on prices in telecoms, transport and many more areas.

I’m passionate about Jersey, and believe that the States has got to engage with people more.

We’ve also got to be tougher on spending, and deliver the promises that we made in order that we’re able to deliver, and continue to deliver, top quality health and education services and also provide for our senior citizens now and into the future.

I don’t want to see also an island which builds on anymore green fields and I don’t believe we have to.

We’ve got to deliver an elderly health scheme and I also want to see and island where every islander can aspire and achieve the legitimate goal of home ownership.

Three minutes is not nearly enough time to explain all of my policies. You can read them on my website ozouf.je.

If you want a candidate who has proved that he works hard for Jersey, that gets things done, that does listen and responds, and that can help steer the island through the next few years I hope you’ll consider be for one of your votes.

But I’d like to say that whoever you support, please do use your vote; it does matter.Ìý