Senators - Mike Higgins
Mike Higgins is perhaps best known as the organiser of the Jersey International Air Display, an event he believes probably brings more tourists to the island than any other.
He believes there is a need for change in the government because while the States pass some good things and some bad, there is also a lot that never gets done.
[ Source : BBC Jersey ]
Proposers
- Martin Willing
- Jessica Higgins
- Neil Baines
- Jean McLaughlin
- Paul Tucker
- Andrew Thomson
- Ian Robinson
- Patricia Le Ruez
- Jane Hunt
- Ann Brunton
[ Source : Channel Online ]
Senatorial Nomination
Jersey International Air Display organiser Mike Higgins was nominated by Martin Willing, who said that the candidate believed that the Island needed a change. He said that many Islanders believed that Jersey was stuck in a rut. Mr Willing said that the States has done some good things and some bad things and added that some things hadn't been done. He said that Mr Higgins, aged 60, was the man to bring about the much-needed change. He said that Mr Higgins was born in Cheshire and educated in England and Canada and moved to Jersey in September 1977 when he began work as a lecturer at Highlands College. Mr Willing said that the candidate would be known to many after organising the popular air display for the last 11 years. But he would also be known to many workers in the Island's finance industry, as they were once his pupils.
[ Source : This Is Jersey ]
Election Manifesto - 200 Word Version
I am standing because I am disillusioned with the States, their performance and many of their policies. I also fear for the future of Jersey and our children and senior citizens. I fear the direction that Jersey is being taken and the divisions that are opening up in our society between haves and have nots, Between rich and poor. Those that can afford homes and those who cannot. Between the young and old. I also believe that I have the drive, determination, experience and vision to help deal with some of the problems that are facing us.
I will:
- oppose GST. If it cannot be repealed I will fight for exemptions on food and energy and any attempts to increase it from the 3% figure. Something which is inevitable if many of those currently sitting in the States remain in office.
- fight for a fairer society and try to heal the divisions that are now opening up.
- oppose wasteful spending by Civil Servants and Ministers which drive up taxes.
- seek to diversify Jersey's economy by taking real action to stimulate tourism and attract new forms of business to the island. Words are no longer acceptable.
[ Source : This Is Jersey ]
A video of Mike Higgins' election manifesto is available on Channel Online
Election Manifesto - BBC Version
My name is Mike Higgins. Some of you may recognise it and be aware that I am the organiser of the Jersey International Air Display, but you'll probably know nothing else about me.
I came to Jersey 31 years ago and am married with two Jersey-born children. I was educated in England and Canada and hold an Economics degree from the University of London.
During my working life I've worked in the aerospace and construction industries and in education, youth work and financial regulation.
Between 1977 and 1995 I lectured in economics, law and banking at Highlands College, and between 1995 and 2007 I worked for the Jersey Financial Services Commission, primarily working in the legal policy and research and development fields.
I am standing for Senator because I'm disillusioned with the States, with the performance of many States members and many States policies. I also fear for the future of Jersey and our children and senior citizens.
I am an independent candidate who does not represent any vested interest, political party, pressure group or the Jersey establishment.
I am a candidate who is concerned that they direction in which Jersey is going, and at the divisions which are opening up in our society. Divisions between the haves and have-nots, which are being made worse with the adoption of highly-regressive taxes like GST that unfairly hit low and middle-income families.
I am concerned at the insensitivity of States members to the plight of the population as demonstrated by the decision not to exempt food and energy costs from GST at a time when we are all facing unprecedented increases in our food, fuel and energy bills.
I am concerned by the fact that our children cannot afford to buy a house or flat and are thus being forced to live at home with their parents or to have to pay excessively high rents, often to overseas investors who own the property, or are being driven from the island.
I am concerned at the failure of the States to introduce legislation drafted in 2003 that would protect islanders' bank deposits up to £33,000, or for an ombudsmen scheme that would enable disputes of up to £100,000 to be heard without the need to go to court or use expensive lawyers.
If elected I will seek a fairer alternative to GST, and if it cannot be repealed fight for exemptions on food, energy and children's clothing.
I will also fight any attempt to increase it from the 3% figure, something we all believe is inevitable if many of those currently sitting in the States remain in office.
I will also oppose wasteful and fanciful spending by ministers and civil servants which encourage them to drive up or invent new taxes.
I will also fight to stop those retailers who are charging us VAT on their goods, and the bureaucracy which permeates the civil service, and their wholesale adoption of UK or European measures or policies whether they are appropriate to Jersey or not.
I will fight to diversify Jersey's economy, not because I don't support the finance industry but because I think our dependency on one industry is dangerous, and that having all our eggs in one basket is asking for trouble. Tourism, for example, needs to be revitalised.
I don't profess to know the answers to all our problems, but I do have the experience and skill to research and analyse and to find possible solutions.
I will make you only one promise, and that is to work tirelessly on your behalf.
An audio version of this election manifesto is available from BBC Jersey
[ Source : BBC Jersey ]
A video of Mike Higgins' election manifesto is available on Channel Online
Biography
Age: 60
Family: Married to Stephanie for 31 years, have two children Jessica (26) and Oliver (21)
Education: Educated in Canada and England. Higher National Certificate in business studies; Bachelor of Science (Economics) Honours degree from University of London; Diploma in purchasing, post graduate Certificate in Education. I was a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply
Employment: I have worked in a number of different industries and fields, which were interspersed with periods of full time education; 1968 –1970 trainee buyer with Hawker Siddeley Aviation Ltd at Chester for a number of aircraft projects; 1973-1975, buyer with Sir Alfred McAlpine & Son Ltd, responsible for the commercial aspects of some large construction projects; 1976-1977, full time youth worker with Lincolnshire County Council; 1977-1995 lecturer in Economics (including Monetary Economics), Law and Banking at Highlands College; 1995-2007 - employed by Financial Services Commission in a number of capacities.
Occupation: Air display organiser
Hobbies/Interests: Commissioned officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) between 1971 and 1983 and helped run air cadet squadrons in England and No.7 (Overseas) Squadron in Jersey. I was also on the staff of No.10 Air Experience Flight at RAF Woodvale; a member of the Jersey branch of the Royal Air Forces Association since 1995 and chairman of the branch since 1997; I have been the organiser of the Jersey Air Display since 1997; a member of the Highlands College board of governors between 1994 and 1995; hobbies include reading and military history; currently writing a book on the Allied Invasion of Pantelleria in 1943.
[ Source : This Is Jersey ]