andrew turner mp
Island Life - June/July 2010
Andrew
Turner
The shape of things to come
Let me begin by saying what a great
believe to
privilege it is to have been re-elected
be the right
as the Island’s Member of Parliament.
ideas to
I’d like to thank everyone who voted.
deal with
Particularly, of course those who
the issues
supported me, but also those who
facing our
supported other candidates. The more
nation.
people are involved, the stronger our
However,
democracy becomes.
I’m coming
I’d also like to thank the other ten
round
candidates who stood on the Island.
to the
They certainly made it a lively and
idea that
stimulating campaign!
perhaps the
Elections highlight the differences
coalition is
between us, but once the counting is
not such a
over, the winning party gets down to
bad thing.
the business of Government. This time
Even with
we’re in different territory. Although
an outright
Conservatives won most seats and the
majority
largest share of the vote, we fell short
you must
to work together in these exceptional
of reaching a working majority.
convince and debate within your
times.
Andrew pictured with Labour MP Mark Chiverton
Photo by Jason Kay
For the first time in 65 years we have
own party, and work with others to
a coalition Government. Conservatives
get legislation through. This formal
be challenging but it will also be
will rely on the support of Liberal
agreement takes that one step further.
interesting. Locally, I have always
Democrats to govern. As you will realise
This coalition Government has
Government in coalition will
believed in working for the good of
this has already involved compromise,
been formed in the interests of our
the Island with people of all political
and there will be more to come. We
country. We have unprecedented
persuasions. David Cameron, our
cannot do everything we wanted and
levels of peacetime debt, the world is
Prime Minister has taken the idea to a
some of our most cherished policies
not yet safely out of recession and our
national scale.
will have to be set aside in the interests
economy is fragile to say the least. I
of the country’s need for stable
am not saying there is no room for
by how positively people feel about the
Government.
difference – contrasting opinions and
new politics. I am very much looking
vigorous debate should always be
forward to playing my part.
For politicians this is daunting, we
have after all, developed what we
12
Talking to Islanders I have been struck
encouraged – but we realise the need
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