THE outgoing chairman of the Chamber of Commerce has criticised some of the Island's politicians and said the chamber will 'not be a passenger' in the run up to this year's general election.

Nick Verardi told the chamber's annual general meeting at the Palace Hotel and Casino in Douglas on Thursday morning: "Last year I stressed the need for our politicians to act and be prepared for the difficult decisions ahead - I asked them not to pursue selfish agendas and to act in the long term interest of the Island.

"Unfortunately, in my opinion, a number have not done enough. And there is an awful lot left to be done."

He added: "To my mind this forthcoming election is likely to be crucial and the representatives who we, the voters, decide should lead this Island and its economy over the next five years will be faced with very serious challenges.

"We, the Manx people, deserve the best representatives available and it is up to us to choose wisely from an informed position.

"Whilst governments and people around the world are fighting for the introduction of democracy we should not be complacent, I would see that as a dereliction of our duty.

"With this in mind the chamber is not going to become a passenger in the elections."

The chamber has canvassed its membership to identity priorities and has completed a business manifesto.

The first area that has been identified is control of government spending.

Mr Verardi explained: "A number of our politicians are on record stating that the public sector workforce is too large and cannot be justified for an island of around 85,000 inhabitants - we entirely echo that sentiment and have pointed this out for many years.

"When the cuts come, and they must, they must be proportionate and acceptable with an appropriate level of communication to both the electorate and the unions.

"This issue is not going to vanish and so cannot, and must not, be shirked.

"However, recent events suggest to me that many of our politicians still do not understand the potential plight laid out before us."

He said the next issue is the scope of government itself.

"Deciding what is core to government business and delivering the best possible outcomes, financial or otherwise, is absolutely essential to our future success."

Mr Verardi said another key issue is public sector pensions which has "long been a 'lobby horse' of ours" and he called for the scheme to be closed to new employees.

The chamber's members have also stated that the government must remain strong and bold.

"We need to remember what has made us successful over the past 27 years - namely the provision of a business friendly, flexible, innovative environment with a strong public and private sector partnership wrapped up with a 'can do' approach."

He said there must be more economic legislation and less social legislation to overcome "selfish political agendas, and take advantage of our nimbleness in promulgating laws."

Mr Verardi said a direct and immediate need for a joined up and business friendly approach to planning is another recurring issue.

"The time has come for a more strategic-wide approach to planning and where better to start than our capital and its many undeveloped sites?

"We have eyesores in key places alongside a serious under provision of leisure and other facilities.

"Why not start to look at the overall picture in a more active manner and be open and honest in deciding how we want our Island to look in the next five, 10 or even 20 years?

"For this to happen a single Island wide plan would be an essential requirement where selfish local interests need to be put to one side for the betterment of the Island."

The chamber members also believe there should be a more strategic approach towards the future employment needs of the Island's employers as well as the acknowledgement of the further consequences of a diversified economy.

Mr Verardi said: "Despite certain initiatives we rarely speak with one voice so lobbying is sometimes mistimed or misunderstood, some of our competitors do not have this apparent weakness."

He said there needs to be more central planning and more strategic thinking of where the Island sees itself.

Another area of focus is the need for tactical support for certain sectors.

"As an innovative Island we need to work together to identify ways how to support certain sectors, not only to preserve employment but also to retain a vital infrastructure without which our ongoing growth could be challenged."

Finally, he said there is absolute requirement for the regeneration of the Isle of Man.

"The first sods have been dug on the Douglas project this very week.

"But the work will take years and bids for the monies exceed the £8m regeneration fund previously put aside.

"However, the improvement of Douglas must be an absolute priority if we are to achieve our long held desire to be a first class place to both live and work."

He said the chamber's suggestion to government is to allocate £2m per year at forthcoming budgets - from savings elsewhere - in order to replenish the fund.

Mr Verardi said these priorities will be the cornerstone of discussions with House of Keys general election candidates in the coming months.

The election takes place on September 29.