ISLAND INDEPENDENT

VOTESTEPHENS

ON 7th MAY 2015Printed by Island Digital Printers, 11 East Street, Ryde, IOW, PO33 1JP

Promoted by Ian Stephens, Lantern Cottage, The Orchards, Ryde, IOW, PO33 3DU

Dear fellow Island resident, Frustrated??

Concerned that another general election will only give the opportunity for further party political theatre? I am!

I want our country and our island to be world leaders. It is time to stop blaming each other and work together for the common good. Together we can make positive change, please join me in and use your vote to transform the national representation into one which will support our local interests and put people and place first.

My name is Ian Stephens and I want to represent you and all Island residents at Westminster. I am standing in Mays general election because I too am a frustrated island resident. I have been an elected Member of the Isle of Wight council since 2001 and been involved in many departments, and therefore understand the challenges which we face. I had many responsible roles over the years culminating in being leader of the council. I was both pleased and proud to be sponsored for the position as Chairman of the Local Government Association for Culture, Tourism and Sport which represents all 373 Local Authorities in England and Wales I never miss an opportunity to promote the Isle of Wight at any meeting. My position allows me to meet with Ministers in London and discuss various aspects of the Board at a senior National level. I know that my family, friends and colleagues are supportive of my decision to stand in the general election, and I have received endorsement from both residents and business associates. I am now asking for your support.

So who is Ian Stephens? I am proud to be born on the Isle of Wight. I grew up living in the east, central and west of the Island, which allowed me the opportunity to enjoy all facets of island life. On leaving school I became an apprentice at GPO telephones (which became todays BT) and over the ensuing years I worked throughout the Island until I transferred to the Account Management Department and commuted to the mainland. My responsibility lay in the Local Government Sector and this was where my understanding and interest of government was born.

On leaving BT I started my own communications consultancy within the local government sector and continued to trade until my successful election in 2001.

I have always been very keen on sport and have enjoyed tennis, squash and football. The latter I played with numerous teams from East Cowes to Ventnor, Yarmouth to Ryde. When living at Rookley I enjoyed running through the footpaths and bridleways of our central Island. Keeping fit was an essential part of my life which enabled me to tackle the rigours of commuting, whilst enjoying the superb views and open spaces for which our Island is renowned.

Thank you for taking the time to read this personal letter. I sincerely believe that I am best positioned to represent you and our Island at the highest level and that this election will be the defining time when Independent representation, devoid of party politics and whip, can hold the balance of power in Parliament.

ISLE OF WIGHT INDEPENDENT

The love and passion I have for the Isle of Wight and its people has driven me to put myself forward to represent you all. Over the coming weeks you may receive manifestos from other candidates but mine is different as it is non political and puts the concerns of the Island on a national level. I am an Independent candidate and I will always put the Island fi rst. Ian Stephens

My ManifestoPutti ng the Island and its people rst

iowelecti on2015@mail.com www.facebook.com/ianstephens.iow @ianstephens_iow

Printed by Island Digital Printers, 11 East Street, Ryde, IOW, PO33 1JP - Promoted by Ian Stephens, Lantern Cottage, The Orchards, Ryde, IOW, PO33 3DU

Isle of Wight Issues What I stand for and against:

I support Island schools to achieve a grading of Outstanding by Ofsted and the opportunity to challenge underperforming schools and academies.

I support links between Island colleges and mainland universiti es to provide Foundati on courses, with the potenti al for an Island-based campus, specialising in engineering, technology and the arts, to enable our students to access a university educati on.I support and conti nue to lobby government for Assisted Area Status for the whole island.I support and conti nue to fi ght for Island Enterprise Zones.I support the growth of tourism and the development of arts, culture and heritage.I support and promote Island-grown entrepreneurs and small businesses.I support more apprenti ceship opportuniti es to allow young people to live and work on the Island.I support the development of a cohesive Island Transport Plan, including ferry travel.I support informed public debate on the possibility of a fi xed link to the mainland.I support the Council in getti ng the highways PFI delivered in a way that meets the Islands needs.I support the re-establishment of access to the Undercliff .I support the Islands eff orts to become world leaders in renewable energy and green industry.I oppose fracking on the Isle of Wight.

I oppose means testi ng for the provision of care for the sick and elderly.I oppose increases in ferry fares for Islanders.

I oppose cuts to health spending by the government

The Wider Issues Health and Social Care

I support an increase in health spending in real terms to address physical and mental health issues.

I support partnerships between social care providers for more integrated services at home and in the community. NHS services aligned to support these iniatives.

I support the continued focus on protecting our vulnerable, both young and old.

I support the development of dementia-friendly community programmes to support sufferers and their families.

I support the allocation of a proportion of VAT from soft drinks, fast food and confectionary, and the duty from tobacco and alcohol towards integrated health and care provision.

I support a fundamental review of the NHS tariff system.

I support unlocking 5% savings on NHS acute spending by moving to a more preventative approach, using this money to benefit areas of greatest need.

I support easier access to quality NHS dental care for children and adults by improved government investment.

Economy and Environment

I support tackling the national economic crisis as a longer-term issue with fiscal stimulus, including targeted VAT cuts, infrastructure spending and stamp duty holidays.

I support increasing national energy resilience and a move towards increasing efficient, renewable energy generation at a district level.

I support apprenticeships and training opportunities to attract world-class employment opportunities.

I oppose a continued austerity approach to realigning our economy. It is unrealistic to remedy decades of deficit with short-term economic strategies. Financial adjustment should be planned over 10-20 years to ease cuts and allow greater time for transformation to take effect.

Education

I support the restoration of local control over schools and create powers to challenge and manage underperforming academies that do not provide a high standard of educational attainment.

I support schools in attracting the best quality teachers and education professionals and the creation of training opportunities for home-grown teachers at local schools.

I support building on strengths in vocational education to prepare young people for work in skilled trades.

I support developing partnership approaches with businesses and colleges to invest, support and create skills and career path opportunities for younger people.

I support the creation of links between colleges and universities to establish local campuses which specialise in courses suited to the needs of business and industry.

Planning and Housing

I support the scrapping of regional house-building targets which would allow local councils and Neighbourhood Plans to determine how many and what type of homes are needed in each area.

I support creating funding opportunities for people to invest in home energy efficiency and micro-renewable schemes to tackle fuel poverty.

I support creating local land trusts to free-up private and public land for local housing where needed.

I support planning departments in encouraging house-building based on local need, rather than profit.

I support the provision of affordable housing with the forward planning of the infrastructure.

I support the scrapping of Stamp Duty for first-time buyers on homes of up to 175,000.

I support assisting first-time buyers to move from rented homes into home ownership by reducing initial purchase costs that currently make it unaffordable.

Defence

I support maintaining our conventional and peacekeeping military force and capability, modernising and upgrading as required. This would be funded through the non-renewal of Trident.

I support the right of the UK government to make decisions of deployment of HM forces.

The Wider Issues

Thank you for taking the time to read my manifesto. The above is just a flavour of what I stand for. I am asking you to support my efforts to represent the Isle of Wight, as I am committed to work with all to bring about a positive future for our Island and its people.To show your support for my campaign to become the first Independent MP for the Isle of Wight please share this manifesto with friends, family & colleagues.

Kind regards, Ian.

Visit Ian Stephens at Campaign HQ, 12 Cross St, Ryde, PO33 2AD.Please phone to book an appointment, or for more information, on 07415 747869.

iowelection2015@mail.com www.facebook.com/ianstephens.iow @ianstephens_iow