Senatorial candidate Ian Le Marquand

[Eastern correspondent]

Since when what we have in the pot been taken into account when spending! And now they have turned on teh GST tap there is an easy remedy to top up the Bank!

[The Rev Peter Sarkey]

My point exactly EC Le M was prepared in an open forum to argue this before he knew the score.

[rico sorda]

ian le marquand keeps saying at the husting that he wants to run home affairs...

Now he has his heart set on this. and this is before being elected.

rs

[ianlemarquand]

Rico. I am sorry if I have come over as being over confident. The decision as to whether or not I will be in the States rests with the electorate. I am actually trying to be open and honest with the public. Is it not right that voters should know the candidates' areas of interest? As both Wendy Kinnard and her deputy Andrew Lewis are standing down there will be a huge gap at Home Affairs. My background as a lawyer, chief officer and judge means that I have significant skills and knowledge which would come in useful there. However, there are a lot of other areas where I would be very happy to work. I am naturally good with figures (something unusual for a lawyer) and so both the social security and general tax areas interest me. As a Chief Officer I also understand budgets and would be happy to work on improving budgetary control. Finally, I have an interest in law drafting and legislation. In fact, I have done a great deal at the level of rules of court and have also been involved in driving through new laws and changes to laws. If I am elected and the States do not want me at Home Affairs then I will certainly find other useful things to do. 

[boatyboy]

Ian to quote you if I may.

I also understand budgets and would be happy to work on improving budgetary control.

As a person who has worked in the states system, do you think that the budget allocation is about right. If you were to become say Treasury Minister when Frank Walker leaves and T. Le Suer becomes CM (if). What would be your plan and areas of interest be regarding the finances of this island? Are you in favour of funding a new art gallery?

Thanks
Boatyboy
 

[ianlemarquand]

Boatyboy. It is difficult for me to comment on the balance of the different departmental budgets because I do not have the necessary detailed knowledge. However, it has always been my clear impression that the large departments such as Health and Social Services and Education had much more flexibility in their budgets then the small departments. Historically politicians and the general public have tended to understand schools and hospitals but not been so good at understanding smaller more specialised areas. To achieve the best balance in expenditure requires a process of assessing the priority of different projects against one another and that requires that individual ministers and chief officers be honest and not simply seek to defend their existing budgets. In relation to the Treasury Minister, I think that it is essential that the person fulfilling that role have a very good all round understanding of the States budget and I do not have that at present although If elected I will be working on this as part of trying to be a good States member. In the short term my expertise would be best used in working on the budgets of a particular department, such as Home Affairs, where I already have real in depth understanding although I would hope to help Sarah Ferguson and others in improving budgetary control generally.       

[boatyboy]

Thanks for the open reply, Ian

How about the Gallery ?

BB

[ianlemarquand]

Boatyboy. I have missed your last two questions. I am not in a position to formulate an overall financial plan for the Island. I do not currently have the necessary detailed knowledge and expertise and I would never attempt to do something in politics which I did not believe that I could do well. In relation to an art gallery, I am afraid that this is in my view a complete luxury. We already have the Opera House, the Arts Centre and St. James Centre. Even if an art gallery were initially privately funded you can guarantee that within a few years it would need to be publicly funded.

[The Rev Peter Sarkey]

Makes sense doesn't it.

[rogueelement]

Gets my vote ,Obviously an honest man , Total integrity, and a history of dealing with the states .
I have a feeling that Mr Le Marquand might just do for the Senators what Crowcroft (did he find that name in Harry Potter) Did for the Parish of St Helier.
Plus he has a Le in front of his name .
I,m kidding! cant you people take a joke?

[soon]

" blow me down Le M goes and spoils it all by arguing the toss over giving more away...."

This was about overseas aid. My recollection is that he spoke about the thoughtful way that Jersey spent Overseas Aid. I can't recall whether he said we should increase it, but I wouldn't have minded if he had.

[Eastern correspondent]

CONGRATULATIONS to Ian for coming on to the boards, I would vote for you but dont feel that you will need my X as you will get in - I will use mine for the underdogs - Bon Chance!

[Fritz]

I quite like I.Le M.  I,ve met him a couple of times, both, "Professionally", and Socially.(He won,t remember me, unless I remind him).

He obviously doesn,t need the dosh, so in my opinion, he is going for the job for most of the right reasons.

Seems like a decent fella, in a," Mr Bean", sort of way.

We could do worse.

[The Rev Peter Sarkey]

I quite like I.Le M.  I,ve met him a couple of times, both, "Professionally", and Socially.(He won,t remember me, unless I remind him).

He obviously doesn,t need the dosh, so in my opinion, he is going for the job for most of the right reasons.

Seems like a decent fella, in a," Mr Bean", sort of way.

We could do worse.

He's got my vote if he put you away Fritzie!!

[boatyboy]

Some argue that religion and politics do not mix they may be right, however I take the view, that many people take strength from thier strong religious beliefs and are not easily swayed by being bullied or wanting to be part of the "in" crowd.

JEP today.

Asked again ( who would he elect for CM ) Senator-elect Le Marquand said: ‘The answer is that I am not happy with any of the current candidates. That is a truthful answer. I do not think any of the 53 Members have the necessary qualifications

http://www.thisisjersey.com/2008/10/18/no-ones-up-to-top-job-in-states/

I'd say he's off to a good start, but will the in crowd start using thier own brains when CM Frank Walkers gone ?

BB