VinnieK Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Assess the various manifesto's and write and ask 'why not' for starters. The problem is that most manifestos are at very best vague statements of intent and little more. Usually they're not even that. For example, take this excerpt from a 2001 manifesto: "To continue the present economic success the Isle of Man must maintain the initiative and remain competitive in an increasingly competitive world market. The Government must continue to encourage the development of profitable businesses and the diversification into new activities so as to create a balance between the finance and manufacturing industries". It means nothing. Apart from some hand waving waffle about 'diversification' there is simply no substance, not even the slightest indication that the candidate in question has an awareness of the issues other than "diverse economy = good!", never mind something approaching a policy. Similarly, here's a quote from a manifesto that appeared in 2006: "The Economic Scene. My first term in Government has seen major successes and improvements of which we can be proud and although some serious problems have arisen, these are being addressed. The challenge is to take advantage of opportunities and build on achievements whilst carefully ensuring budgets are respected". So more or less everything's fine, and although some... stuff .... or something happened, it's being sorted out. Great. Keep in mind that this is a member of the treasury telling you why you should re-elect him (and, brilliantly, he was re-elected). A lot of our politicians may as well walk the streets handing out copies of the Beano come election time for all that their manifestos are worth and what insight scrutinizing them would bring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theodolite Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 He was re-elected but despite quite a few candidates, there were no suitable alternatives. In that constituency, even David Quirk got in - on his seventh attempt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinnieK Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 He was re-elected but despite quite a few candidates, there were no suitable alternatives. There wasn't a stray cat, a dicarded bag of half eaten chips, or a balloon with a face drawn on it that could have been nominated? David Quirk's manifesto is fantastic, by the way. Not for the content (although he does go into more detail than most), but because its design is such that it looks a bit like a pamphlet from a funeral home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theman Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 VOTE theman of man. & oh yes i've got a 3d leg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La_Dolce_Vita Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 It sounds like an impressive manifesto, TheMan. What else can we expect? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moghrey Mie Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Assess the various manifesto's and write and ask 'why not' for starters. The problem is that most manifestos are at very best vague statements of intent and little more. Usually they're not even that. For example, take this excerpt from a 2001 manifesto: "To continue the present economic success the Isle of Man must maintain the initiative and remain competitive in an increasingly competitive world market. The Government must continue to encourage the development of profitable businesses and the diversification into new activities so as to create a balance between the finance and manufacturing industries". It means nothing. Apart from some hand waving waffle about 'diversification' there is simply no substance, not even the slightest indication that the candidate in question has an awareness of the issues other than "diverse economy = good!", never mind something approaching a policy. Similarly, here's a quote from a manifesto that appeared in 2006: "The Economic Scene. My first term in Government has seen major successes and improvements of which we can be proud and although some serious problems have arisen, these are being addressed. The challenge is to take advantage of opportunities and build on achievements whilst carefully ensuring budgets are respected". So more or less everything's fine, and although some... stuff .... or something happened, it's being sorted out. Great. Keep in mind that this is a member of the treasury telling you why you should re-elect him (and, brilliantly, he was re-elected). A lot of our politicians may as well walk the streets handing out copies of the Beano come election time for all that their manifestos are worth and what insight scrutinizing them would bring. The trouble is you can have a fantastic manifesto but when elected will probably not be in a position to influence policy. Or you can be in a position to influence things eg John Shimmin and Local Government Reform but choose to do nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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