A written summary provided by the candidate outlining their background, experience and priorities.
Grant Budd
Living in the Falklands since 1998.
I am level-headed and a good listener, think before I speak, and try to put myself in other people’s shoes. I am disciplined, not afraid of responsibility, and used to working long hours. I know commitment is needed to get results.
SELF DETERMINATION:
I will not allow this to slip!
INFRASTRUCTURE:
With decades of experience in the service sector, I have designed projects using taxpayers’ money, delivered on or under budget. Regular meetings with Project Managers should confirm current expenditure and progress. Leaders must deliver on their responsibilities and keep the public updated.
A growing population requires housing and services, impacting key areas: electricity, water, sewage, roads. These have suffered for lack of investment. Maintenance is a crucial priority.
Stanley’s roads are congested. We need improved parking, traffic flow and road safety, with options such as a one-way system, traffic calming and extra parking spaces.
HOUSING:
Construction of housing has almost stalled. Government should develop and release new housing plots more quickly, with subsidies to help people onto the housing ladder.
To alleviate the lack of construction workers, I support:
EDUCATION:
Overcrowding of schools needs to be addressed.
I support Falklands College and the apprenticeship scheme. GCSE’s should not be required for apprenticeships: locals without GCSE qualifications have achieved extraordinary results. I will fight for a different path to apprenticeships.
I want to give students of exceptional sporting ability the opportunity to study overseas at 14 years, a critical age in their physical development and GCSE’s.
FIMCo:
I fully support this business.
TOURISM:
Policies to protect wildlife and environment must be kept updated.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS:
I support efforts by FIG and LATAM to restore the Brazil connection.
Establishing an alternative route, perhaps via South Africa, would facilitate links outside Latin America.
TELECOMS:
More effective and economical services are still needed.
Camp network issues adversely affect Camp residents. I will support the improvement of this service.
FIDC:
I feel FIDC could achieve more with the correct level of finance, better Project Management and increased autonomy.
FISHERIES:
Fishing companies already contribute heavily to FIG tax revenue. They should not be targeted to pay more.
FIGAS:
FIGAS does a sterling job. Mindful of how important this service is, I support it fully.
SHIPPING
I support our shipping services and will aim to understand any challenges affecting them.
HYDROCARBONS
I support this industry. We should learn from Norway about efficient management and wise investment of income.
MEDICAL SERVICES
KEMH does a good job. We must ensure that current refurbishment of facilities will be adequate for future needs.
BANKING:
SCB no longer undertakes Commercial Loans: FIDC’s limited funds may not support a loan. This impacts negatively on development of local businesses. Alternative sources of borrowing are needed.
1. Housing
2. Capital Projects
3. Current & Future Projected Economy
The first 250 words of the candidate’s manifesto.
For those that do not know me or know little about me, I am Grant William Budd, 53 years of age and London born. My parents are Dennis & Pam Budd and I am the Grandson of the late Jim & Jean Lewis. My grandmother, a Falkland Islander, was descended from the Steele and Grant families.
In 1992 I was in my final year of Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Technology in Nottingham. I also was bordering on becoming a professional British Ice Hockey Player, having played for both England U16 & Great Britain at U16 & U19 and been called up for GB U21 trials.
It was a time of recession in UK and my employer advised me that the firm could no longer afford to fund my apprenticeship due to the downturn of work. It was of the highest importance to me to complete the remaining modules and gain associated experience, knowing this would be my future. I was fortunate that the FI Power & Electrical Dept were looking for electricians to join the department. At the age of 20, I made the most difficult decision of my life and took the risk of moving to the Falkland Islands.
After 18 months in the Falklands, having completed my apprenticeship time and gained my higher education certification, I was contacted by clubs in the UK and chose to fulfil my sporting career dream to return to the UK and play professional Ice Hockey.
However, in the background, the Falklands experience…
Ten short questions. Ten 30 second answers. Candidates respond without preparation.
An extended interview exploring the candidate’s background, priorities and views. All candidates were given the same set of advance questions, with additional on the spot manifesto-specific questions asked during the interview. Each interview is limited to 15 minutes.
Disclaimer: All interviews were conducted on an equal basis and are presented in full, with minimal editorial intervention. Any edits made were limited solely to the removal of offensive language, to allow viewers to hear directly from each candidate in their own words. Some issues discussed in these interviews are currently subject to ongoing legal processes. Any references to legal or procedural matters reflect the candidates’ own views. FITV does not comment on, and does not seek to influence, ongoing legal proceedings. These interviews form part of FITV’s commitment to providing clear, accessible information to support informed voting ahead of polling day.
FITV was invited to film the candidate hustings hosted by the Falkland Islands Chamber of Commerce. Candidates were divided into four groups by constituency: one group representing Camp and three groups representing Stanley. As part of the event, members of the Chamber were invited to submit questions to be put to the candidate panels in advance, and Chamber members in attendance were also able to ask follow-up questions from the floor.
Video coming soon
This content will be published ahead of the General Election.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by candidates during the hustings recordings are their own and do not reflect those of FITV. The discussion may contain strong language. FITV does not endorse or support any individual candidate or political viewpoint and remains impartial in its coverage.
