Manifesto D2

8/9/2019 Manifesto D2

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Because:Together we can;

Together we must;Together we will.

Welcome

Our manifestofor a better Los Santos

Because:Together we can;

Together we must;Together we will.


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A manifesto for changefrom the Pro ressive Democrats

for a better Los Santos

A foreword from the party leader and mayoral candidateDr. Brad Williams

Dear Citizen,

I wish firstly to extend my warmest regards, and to thank you sincerely forexpressing an interest in our policies. I hope that you will take the time to readthe policies, positions and pledges contained within, and that, having studiedthem, you will come to the same conclusion that we did when we put themtogether; that they offer Los Santos the best package of changes, reforms, andimprovements.

It is easy for politicians to gain cheap votes by being alarmist. Los Santos is atruly great city it is cosmopolitan; it is enterprising; it is diverse yet for somany people, quality of life is not improving. So many people deserve better.

Public transport remains grossly inadequate, and whilst the Government haspostured much over recent investment in the newly founded companyCityTransit, City Hall has failed to provide the company with the necessarysupport.

Healthcare provision is patchy and response times remain high, despite claimsthat the Government has saved the health service (by installing staffaccommodation).

Crime is at an all-time high the result of years of prevention rather than cure.No crime figures are recorded by City Hall, and there is no Government official

with the sole responsibility of co-ordinating the fight against crime.

I want quality of life to improve across the board I want less crime, betterhealthcare, proper public transport. In short, I want people to regain confidencein Government I want to demonstrate that politics can and must, rise abovecynicism and personality, and deliver a programme of reforms, through a truetwo-way dialogue with the people.

I wish finally to re-iterate my belief that the policies within this manifesto arepersuasive, effective, and essential. Los Santos needs more than just a changeof Government. Los Santos needs a change in direction. Together, we can

achieve this. Together we must. Together we will.

Yours faithfully,

Dr. Brad Williams


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Crimebuilding a safer Los Santos

The Progressive Democrats

believe in the freedom of theindividual. We believe that this includes freedom from crime, and

from the threat of crime.

We understand that fear of crime is a real issue. We do not de-criminalise crimes such as muggings and car theft which cause realproblems for individuals, and for society.

A key part of our policy is not only tackling crime, but thecauses of crime.This means looking at social factors; the

effectiveness of our correctional facilities; the efficiency of our police.

Webelieve that policing needs co-ordination.This means theintroduction of regular meetings between the LSPD, the SASD, andCity Hall.

Tough on crime, tough on the causesof crime.

- Dr. Frank Digby


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We willbring fresh focus to law enforcement and establish anew level of co-ordination in the fight against crime. We willinvitebusinesses and members of the public tobe a part ofregular discussions.

We recognise that crime is not only of concern to the Government andlaw enforcement. We also believe that co-ordination is the key to tacklingcrime of all levels. We will establish a Los Santos Police Board, throughwhich City Hall and law enforcement agencies can communicate at thesame time to bring a planned approach to crime. Other parties interestedin the issue of crime such as local businesses, community members,medical services, transport companies, etc will be invited to join thisboard to ensure that resources and methods are being allocated andimplemented correctly. We believe that a more co -ordinate approach willalso lead to improvements in working relations between parties involved

in law enforcement and reduce the number of wholly unacceptableincidents in which poor relations have led to a reduced service.

We will focus on preventing crime as well as punishing crimeafter it has occurred.Law Enforcement in Los Santos is currently struggling. Researchgathered by IPS POLL has shown this, with citizens showing that they donot feel the police serve and protect the city as they should. Conclusively,

the Progressive Democrats believe that there needs to be a change notonly in action, however a change in thinking with the way in which l aw

enforcement is handled in Los Santos with a greater emphasis on crimeprevention to ease the strain on the policing departments allowing them towork more efficiently in creating a safer Los Santos.

We will strengthen the definitionbetween infractions andfelonies.We feel that is it unacceptable for law enforcement to treat civil offencesthe same way as criminal offences. For example refusal to pay a fine isand must remain an infraction. It should not lead to charges of non -compliance with the police, and be treated in a physically direct manner.

The police knowbetter than politicians when it comes tocrime.We will work with law enforcement, without infringing on the right tooperational and non-partisan independence, which we will guarantee.


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Transportfresh thinking on a stale

issue.

Webelieve that effective, cheap, and reliable publictransport is key to creating a more dynamic, fairer economy.Previous governments have treated public transport as nothing morethan a ceremonial duty and have largely neglected it. We will see itas a key factor in our policy decisions

Webelieve that in public transport, thebest solutionsinvolve the private and public sectors.We will seek to involve private enterprise in public transport solutions,

in order to provide economic stability, competition, and the bestpossible service for the public.

Webelieve that standards on public transport should meetand exceed those of private drivers.We will look at ways to improve standards on both buses and taxis, toincrease public confidence.

We will build a transport system whichcan proudly call itself a service.

- Dr. BradWilliams


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We will startbuilding an effective public transport system.From day one, we will look at public transport as a serious priority. Wewill create a new Government department tasked with this role. We willcreate a dedicated transport budget, to serve the needs of the industry.

We will involve the private sector wherever possible, and willfight against a monopoly in public transport.We believe that a monopoly in public transport will cause a decrease inefficiency, and will hamper innovation and investment. We also believethat a free market is damaging to standards, and poses an unacceptablerisk to passenger safety. We will hold a consultation on the introductionof a franchising and regulation scheme, whereby any company canoperate bus services, subject to Governmental approval and registration.This system would also include Government-endorsed routes, to ensure

that services were provided to key areas of the city. Such schemes havebeen hugely successful in Western Europe, and in particular, London.

We will respond to public concerns over the safety of publictransport services within the city.Surveys conducted by the organisation IPSPOLL on behalf of theProgressive Democrats show there is great public concern and lack oftrust in taxi services most probably fuelled by a lack of regulation. Thecurrent system, an embodiment of free-market principles, does workrelatively efficiently however there are very few checks and balances to

guarantee standards of driving. We want to double the penalties fordangerous driving offences committed by on -duty taxi drivers carryingfare paying passengers. This doubling of penalties will apply across theboard to taxi drivers, from double fines for incorrect parking, to doublesentences for evading the police.

We willbegin a consultation into making our roads safer.This will involve the LSPD, SASD, EMS and other relevantparties.We will look at the possibility of introducing tougher penalties for

dangerous driving offences, and giving law enforcement greater powersand funding to police the roads.


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Healthcarea new approach

There is an undisputable linkbetween healthcare, quality oflife, and economic development.We believe that in order forquality of life to improve, we need a healthcare system which iseffective and accessible to all.

Healthcare in Los Santos isbased on an emergencyresponse system, with almost no provision for non-urgenttreatment. We will seek to build a network of general practice, andminor injuries services.

Response times are too high.We will introduce a target of fiveminutes for every emergency response, within Los Santos.

There needs tobebetter communicationbetween the healthservices and other emergency services which rely uponhealth service support. We will create new channels of dialogue,and a culture of mutual respect and support, through theaforementioned meetings between emergency service leaders.


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We will create an approachable health service which catersfor minor care needs as well as medical emergencies.A Progressive Democrat health service will strive to revolutionise accessto healthcare through walk-in and on demand services. Working with theEMS we would encourage the introduction of nurse practitioners into the

medical career ladder who would be able to attend major events toprovide standby healthcare, and who would be able to staff hospitals inorder to treat walk-in patients.

As part of our commitment to accessible health, we willincrease support for General PracticeWhilst there are General Practice services within the city, they areunderstaffed and need to be revitalised. We will encourage the medicalservices to have a greater emphasis upon general practice as part of thecareer ladder, so that staff are introduced to this rewarding and sometimes

neglected aspect of medicine.

We will also seek to open licensed pharmacy services initially within the hospital, with the possibility of otherlocations at a later date.In many places, pharmacies form an integral part of the care structure,providing health advice and cures for minor injuries and ailments.Pharmacies are currently greatly lacking in Los Santos. From Day One,

we will begin a consultation into the creation and construction of thesefacilities.

We will set a target of five minutes for a 911 callout withinthe city.We feel that it should not take longer than five minutes for an ambula nceto respond to a callout within the city. We will measure the performanceof EMS services against this target, so that they know how they areperforming, and where they can improve.

We will improve co-operationbetween the health servicesand other emergency services.

Whilst there has been much progress in this area of late, we feel that LosSantos can still do much better. Through the creation of dialogue betweenGovernment and law enforcement and health bosses we will create atatmosphere of trust, mutual respect, and co-operation, to ensure that ouremergency services are working as a team to provide the best possibleservice to citizens of Los Santos.


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We will set a new tone for Government, and create a systemwhich the people feel they govern with, rather than aregovernedby.We will take an open-minded stance whilst in Government we are not

immediately tied down to a set of strict politics ideals which will renderus short-sighted.

We will seek to remove the elitism which surrounds thepresent Government.As well as creating a Cabinet of Advisors to the Mayor which will beopen to anyone, from any background we will also set a new tone of anadministration governing for the many and not the few. We will not hideourselves from the voters with security measures which are ostentatiouslylavish and deliberately threatening.

We do not feel that polls alone are an adequate measure ofpublic opinion.Whilst we will continue to hold polls, we will also seek far more activeforms of discussion. We will create a number of commissions on issuessuch as crime, health, and transport which will be open to members ofthe public.

By standing as a party, and not as an individual candidate,we offer the chance of a real government, and not a cult of

personality.Our party structure allows us to develop policy in a coherent andbalanced manner, as opposed to relying on the decisions of one manalone.


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Justicebalancing punishment with

rehabilitation

The justice system in Los Santos is ineffectual, understaffed,and underfunded.With his experience as a former judge, Dr. FrankDigby would use his Deputy Mayoralty to bring fresh energy andthinking to the justice and courts system.

The right to a fair trial for serious offences must be

strengthened. We must manage and balance the perceivedinefficiency and cost of a trial system with the indisputable right forserious offences to be tried by a judge,

A move to rehabilitation is a move to a better justice system.The current ideology is that punishment can solve everything.Punishment is necessary, but so is rehabilitation.

Only when the public have confidence intheir justice system can the war on crimebe won.

-Dr. Frank Digby


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We will rebuild our court system,by recruiting more judgesand giving cases more publicity.We will move the goalposts in the fight against crime from simplypunishing offenders via the police, to trying them in an open court, tomake an example of them and bring closure to cases.

We will re-establish the fundamental right of a citizen to afair trial.We understand that every single offence cannot be heard by a court,however we will ensure that the treatment of suspects and offenders isfairer. We believe that it is a necessity that the public have confidence inthe justice system in order to cut crime. We will therefore make it arequirement that, for all charges of a certain severity and above (the exactbar will be set after consultation with law enforcement), the suspect istried by a judge with the right to legal representation. Legal Aid will be

provided if necessary on a means-tested basis.

We will strengthen our correctional system, and introduce anew ethos.The Department of Correction will be strengthened, an d will be given anew working ethos. There will be an emphasis on rehabilitation as well aspunishment. With a greater emphasis on rehabilitation, equality forcriminals who have served their sentence and a reform on sentencing toreduce institutionalisation, we believe that the Progressive Democrats canfurther lower the crime rates in Los Santos, especially the astonishingly

high re-offending rate. Some DoC employees will be offered additionaltraining and payment as Rehabilitation Officers, who will wor k with thepolice, communities, and offenders who have served or are finishingserving their time, to help offenders get their lives back on track.

We will strengthen and support the co-operationbetweenlaw enforcement agencies and prison services.We recognise the valuable contribution which the police make to ourcorrectional system, and we wish to strengthen the co-operation betweenthe LSPD and the Department of Correction by inviting the DoC to sit at

regular public service meetings.


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Mediakeeping Los Santos informed

We respect and value Los Santos as one of the countrysmost influential media centres.We will do more to supportindependent productions of film, music and literature through a newDepartment of Culture.

We respect the rights of journalists to work withouthindrancebutbelieve that SAN must remain unbiased as anews source. We will continue to provide support and funding forSAN, whilst keeping a professional distance. The Department ofCulture will ensure that SAN remains impartial.

We feel that media and news play an invaluable part insociety, and will try to increase wherever possible mediacoverage.The new Department of Culture will fund viable projectsdesigned not only to boost Los Santos profile but also those whichentertain, educate and inform residents.

Mass media is a keystone of our society,and should be respected and regulated assuch.

-Dr. BradWilliams


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We will support the media, and independent productioncompanies. We will encourage independent news sourcesand newspapers.The new Department of Culture will oversee grants, which will take the

form of access to studio facilities, and monetary assistance. Grants will begiven only to projects which show extremely high levels of co-ordination,and which the Cabinet of Advisors to the Mayor feels meet therequirements of a grant.

We will support SAN asboth an entertainment and newscompany. We respect the right of columnists and editors tohold politicalbeliefs,but will not allowbias to creep intonews coverage.The Department of Culture will monitor SAN's news output for bias, to

ensure that the people of Los Santos have total confidence in theirjournalists and news outlets.

We will allow individuals and organisations to disputelibellous and slanderous allegations made about themby themedia.Whilst encouraging investigative and groundbreaking journalism, we willalso protect the freedom of the individual by allowing individuals to file acomplaint with the Department of Culture, if they feel that output islibellous of slanderous. We will introduce broadcast licenses, which will

be cancelled in extreme circumstances of illegal or libellous content.

We will provide public funding to organisations whichprovide news funding, and will increase funding to SAN. Inreturn, we will expect public interest programming.Organisations such as SAN will be able to apply for additional monetaryhelp in producing news programming. Contracts for such assistance willinclude a public service requirement, which will require a certainamount of regular and unbiased news and public service programmingthroughout the day.


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Economydelivering consistent growth

We have an unparalleled team to meet the challenges of thecurrent economic climate.Dr. Brad Williams has a PhD in LaborEconomics; Dr. Frank Digby is former Deputy Mayor of New York.

We will encouragebusinesses of all size to thriveby providedinvestment where there is a genuine and realistic case. A newGovernment department will analyse business propositions and makedecisions on lending.

We will increase consumer confidence through quality

assurance schemes aimed at registered companies. Byinvestigating complaints against registered companies and closingdown those which consistently fail to deliver, consumers in Los Santoswill be guaranteed a higher level of security, and therefore will spendmore readily.

To deliver consistent economic growth wemust support businesses and consumers.

-Dr. BradWilliams


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Economic policy willbe a key part of our leadership strategy.We will establish a Financial Policy Committee part of a newDepartment of Business and Economics, which will be summoned by theMayor when appropriate to discuss aspects of monetary and fiscal policy.

This will reaffirm our commitment to a stable economy.

We will encourage smallbusinessesby removing red tapefrom the applications process.We will incorporate the Department of Company Registrations into theDepartment of Business and Economics, and increase the efficiency ofthe applications process, which we will make more intuitive. The newDoBE will register more companies, but will also be given new powers toclose down companies which fail to meet expectations.

We will increase consumer confidence and choice in theeconomy.By encouraging competition in all sectors, we will increase efficiency andchoice in the market. The newly -formed Department of Business andEconomics will have the power to close down companies which providepoor service, and seize the assets of those which commit economic crime.


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Education and trainingbuilding our future, improving

our present

Education is the key to abrighter future and abetterpresent. We will aim to offer increased educational opportunities toall, regardless of age, gender, race or income.

Education should not be limited to young people.Working withbusinesses and public services we will try to establish set standards fortraining.

The state is not always thebest provider of education.We willinvite organisations to develop training programmes for children,

young people, and adults - with set qualifications available thesemay be eligible for Government funding, subject to approval.


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Public safetyfor Los Santos

Our position is that public safety is intrinsically linked withquality of life and life expectancy.We will improve public safetyas part of our drive to improve quality of life.

For too long, public safety has notbeen a priority in LosSantos.This is unacceptable, and we will raise awareness of publicsafety issues.

We will create a new department with responsibility forhealth and public safety.The new Department of Health andPublic Safety will be granted powers to inspect registered companies.

Lack of funding and governmental support for Fire Servicesis unacceptable.The culture of taking the fire services (tied to theEMS) for granted cannot last, and there must be new impetus tostrengthen and support the department.

Public Health & Safety is an issue yousimply cannot ignore; our collectivewellbeing is at stake.

-Dr. Frank Digby


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We will shift public safety into focus.During our term, we would found a new Department of Health & PublicSafety. This Department would be represented in the Cabinet of Advisorsto the Mayor in regular meetings with the mayor and other public services

in the city, and would be able to lobby for legislati on, support andfunding.

We will conduct inspections of registered companies in orderto ensure the highest possible safety standards.The new DoHPS will have the right to inspect fire safety, hygiene andsafety processes, and the structural integrity of buildings and premises inorder to maintain standards. Businesses which fail to comply will be finedand ultimately closed down, with assets being auctioned off. The assetsraised by such actions will fund the cost of upgrades such as new

vehicles.

We will conduct a review of public safety related vehicles,with the intention of purchasing new equipment wherenecessary.The new DoHPS will conduct a review of public safety related vehicles,be they air land or sea, and will purchase new vehicles and/or upgr adevehicles where there is deemed to be a need.


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Freedoman open and classless society

Freedom of the individual and equality are central to ourbeliefs. We will strengthen the requirement for law enforcement togain a court order before entering private property, and extend it tocover all property.

We will ensure the right to a fair trial through an impartialcourt system. Impartial judges will decide on cases where seriouspenalties are at stake; experienced lawyers (when available) willassess more minor cases.

We will prevent corruption from seeping in to public service.Tougher penalties for corruption and greater court powers will clampdown on corruption.

We will support class-actions.The court system will allow for agroup of people who feel aggrieved to take a class action against anorganisation, public department, or invididual.


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We will strengthen personal rightsby guaranteeing equality.We believe strongly in equality, and in clamping down on discrimination.We will always consider the effect upon minorities and those from allsectors of society when making Governmental decisions.

We willbring the private sector into line with the privatesector.The public sector is largely free of discrimination, but this cannot be saidof the private sector where there is little enforcement and little interest.The Department of Business and Economics will have the power toimpose penalties against registered companies which are found to practiseracism whether in terms of payment, employment, or opportunities.

We will make private property private.

Landowners will have the right to decide who is on their land, and willhave the right to use reasonable force to remove them (this will notinclude the use of firearms). The courts will be encouraged to issue

restraining orders, to keep certain individuals with a proven history ofbreeching the peace away from named properties.

We will ensure that public services are aware of their rightsand responsibilities regarding private property.We will require public agencies (e.g. LSPD, DoBE, SASD whenoperating within LSPD juridstiction) to have a court-issued warrant

before entering any private property without permission, with thefollowing exemptions:

y When life or limb is at risk.y When the officers are serving an arrest warrant approved by a

Judge.y When the property is not owned by the person preventing access

(e.g. in the case of rented accommodation), and when the landlordcannot be promptly traced in order to seek his permission.

Any property damaged by public departments serving a warrant will

result in the owner being awarded compensation to a level decided by acourt at which the owner and the department in question will be entitledto full representation.


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A summaryof our philosophy

Our case is simple.The quality of life in Los Santos must improve.

We want Los Santos tobe a city renewed.A city with drive, acity with purpose, a city with energy.

We are a party of ideas and not ideology.We will not be blindedby out-dated ideology, but will take a fresh approach to issues, seekingthe fairest and best solution.

We want Los Santos to stride into the next decade. We do not

want a city which will amble into it, with uncertainty and fear.

We will restore faith in politicians by treating the lastadministration in a pragmatic and honest way.There havebeen some things in the last 3 months that the previousadministration has got right. We will not change them, but we willstrengthen them. Where the previous administration has gone wrong,we will make changes.

We willbe wise spenders, not big spenders. Spending is not theanswer to every problem. We will work with private investors toincrease efficiency and increase efficiency. We believe that fosteringco-operation and effective management can have equal or greatereffects to increased public spending.

We will follow the golden rule of fiscal policy. We will onlyborrow to invest, and not to fund current spending. This way, we canguarantee that Los Santos will not face a budget deficit.


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This manifesto contains details of our plans. We have notpromised what we cannot deliver.The following five ideas,webelieve, are the first steps to a better Los Santos.

We will work towards a target of a guaranteed EMS responsewithin 5 minutes.

We will improve co-operation between public servicedepartments through regular meetings, whilst guaranteeingoperational independence.

We will build a new public transport network with a combinationof private and public finance.

We will support business. We will inject fresh life into the court system, and expand the

process by introducing lawyers to the prosecution process.

If you want more details on our policies, you are welcome toe-mail us with details, or come along to a Q+A session. Wewillbe only too happy to clarify the details of our plans.

Documents

Manifesto D2