Ralph Peake MHK has announced his intention to seek re-election to represent the constituency of Douglas North in the House of Keys General Election.
During his first year in politics he was invited to join two Government departments, the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. He also Chairs and is member of a number of Parliamentary bodies and committees.
He is the first to acknowledge the steep learning curve he has had, however he has taken every opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and insights into the workings of Manx Politics. He feels well placed to tackle the difficult issues that will face the new administration, when he says:
‘I continue to learn during my first year as an MHK, working hard for the people of Douglas North and the Island, using my business experience and knowledge to motivate change and productivity, while promoting cultural change and improved communication across Government.”
He sees opportunities for the economy to be more expansive:
‘I believe there are many areas of government where improvements can be made, and new opportunities beckon, for example the UK’s decision to leave the EU will provide opportunities, and Tynwald needs to be open minded and agile to capitalise on these first, and translate them into benefits for the Island. Members with entrepreneurial experience will be valuable assets in the new House of Keys to identify such opportunities. I am committed to building more collaborative working to ensure policy development and delivery is efficient and effective. Our priority must be to grow the economy.”
He also sees a strong need for greater clarity, definition and transparency between the role of the politician and the civil service:
‘We need to start with what is best for the Island, and in Tynwald develop strong forward looking policy which provides clear direction and defines boundaries to achieve this. Officers can then work together, confidently, to deliver the resulting strategies in a timely and effective manner, focussing and measuring performance in terms of outcomes, savings and learnings, for the benefit of the Island and its future sustainability.”
and for a new approach to revision and scrutiny:
“Effective Policy development should be overlaid with a transparent and public process of scrutiny and revision, something that from my perspective needs more work in the next administration. I feel perfectly placed, following one year as an MHK to deliver what will be required, though a strong work ethic, high motivation, respect for others and a wish to work as a team delivering a change for the better for our Island.”
Ralph Peake and his wife have lived in Douglas North for 19 years and have three boys at school.
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