PAG quizzes by-election candidates

Group aims to help voters compare views with candidates

On the eve of the two by-elections in Douglas, the Positive Action Group has been asking candidates their views on various hot topics.

Opinions on issues,  ranging from the economy to the toilet tax,  are quite varied.

The pressure group sent all the candidates a questionnaire giving a optional series of  answers to 11 topics.

PAG says the aim is to help voters compare their own views directly with those  of the candidates. 

To give some examples, three of the South Douglas candidates said the size of government and its structure needed changing  though the fourth Bill Malarchy disagreed.

Keith Fitton, Amy Burns and Kurt Buchholz thought the Pinewood investment was not a reasonable investment. Mr Malarkey thought it was.

In North Douglas, Maire Booth and David Ashford said the Island was well placed to benefit from emerging economic advancements while Ralph Peake disagreed.

Mr Ashford believed the Island provides adequate social care for citizens, the other two disagreed.

PAG flushed out views on the toilet tax in the South Douglas election. Three of the candidates strongly disagreed that the tax was fair and did not require reform or removal. The fourth was neutral.

The full survey is on the PAG website.