Our manifesto

for a better Los Santos

Because:
Because:
Together we can;
Together we can;
Togetherwe
Together wemust;
must;

Together we will.
A manifesto for change

Welcome
A foreword from the party leader and mayoral candidate
Dr. Brad Williams
Dear Citizen,
I wish firstly to extend my warmest regards, and to thank you sincerely for
expressing an interest in our policies. I hope that you will take the time to read
the policies, positions and pledges contained within, and that, having studied
them, you will come to the same conclusion that we did when we put them
together; that they offer Los Santos the best package of changes, reforms, and
improvements.

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

Public transport remains grossly inadequate, and whilst the Government has
postured much over recent investment in the newly founded company
CityTransit, City Hall has failed to provide the company with the necessary
support.

Healthcare provision is patchy and response times remain high, despite claims
that the Government has “saved” the health service (by installing staff
accommodation).

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, better
healthcare, proper public transport. In short, I want people to regain confidence
in Government – I want to demonstrate that politics can and must, rise above
cynicism and personality, and deliver a programme of reforms, through a true
two-way dialogue with the people.

I wish finally to re-iterate my belief that the policies within this manifesto are
persuasive, effective, and essential. Los Santos needs more than just a change
of 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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A manifesto for change

Crime
building a safer Los Santos
“Tough on crime, tough on the causes of
crime.”

- Dr. Frank Digby

The Progressive Democrats believe in the freedom of the individual. We

believe that this includes freedom from crime, and from the threat of crime.

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We understand that fear of crime is a real issue. We do not de-criminalise

crimes such as muggings and car theft – which cause real problems for
individuals, and for society.

A key part of our policy is not only tackling crime, but the causes of crime.
This means looking at social factors; the effectiveness of our correctional
facilities; the efficiency of our police.

We believe that policing needs co-ordination. This means the introduction

of regular meetings between the LSPD, the SASD, and City Hall.

We will bring fresh focus to law enforcement and establish a new level of
co-ordination in the fight against crime. We will invite businesses and
members of the public to be a part of regular discussions.
We recognise that crime is not only of concern to the Government and
law enforcement. We also believe that co-ordination is the key to tackling
crime of all levels. We will establish a Los Santos Police Board, through
which City Hall and law enforcement agencies can communicate at the
same time to bring a planned approach to crime. Other parties interested
in the issue of crime such as local businesses, community members,
medical services, transport companies, etc will be invited to join this
board to ensure that resources and methods are being allocated and
implemented correctly. We believe that a more co-ordinate approach will
also lead to improvements in working relations between parties involved
in law enforcement – and reduce the number of wholly unacceptable
incidents in which poor relations have led to a reduced service.

We will focus on preventing crime as well as punishing crime after it has

occurred.

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Law Enforcement in Los Santos is currently struggling. Research

gathered by IPS POLL has shown this, with citizens showing that they do
not feel the police serve and protect the city as they should. Conclusively,
the Progressive Democrats believe that there needs to be a change not
only in action, however a change in thinking with the way in which law
enforcement is handled in Los Santos with a greater emphasis on crime
prevention to ease the strain on the policing departments allowing them to
work more efficiently in creating a safer Los Santos.

We will strengthen the definition between infractions and felonies.

We feel that is it unacceptable for law enforcement to treat civil offences
the same way as criminal offences. For example – refusal to pay a fine is
and 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 know better than politicians when it comes to crime.

We will work with law enforcement, without infringing on the right to
operational and non-partisan independence, which we will guarantee.

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Transport
fresh thinking on a stale issue.
“We will build a transport system which can
proudly call itself a service.”

- Dr. Brad Williams

We believe that effective, cheap, and reliable public transport is key to

creating a more dynamic, fairer economy.
Previous governments have treated public transport as nothing more than a
ceremonial duty – and have largely neglected it. We will see it as a key factor
in our policy decisions

We believe that in public transport, the best solutions involve 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 best possible service for the
public.

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We believe that standards on public transport should meet and exceed

those of private drivers.
We will look at ways to improve standards on both buses and taxis, to increase
public confidence.

We will start building an effective public transport system.

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

We will involve the private sector wherever possible, and will fight against
a monopoly in public transport.
We believe that a monopoly in public transport will cause a decrease in
efficiency, and will hamper innovation and investment. We also believe
that a free market is damaging to standards, and poses an unacceptable
risk to passenger safety. We will hold a consultation on the introduction
of a franchising and regulation scheme, whereby any company can
operate 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 have
been hugely successful in Western Europe, and in particular, London.

We will respond to public concerns over the safety of public transport

services within the city.
Surveys conducted by the organisation IPSPOLL on behalf of the
Progressive Democrats show there is great public concern and lack of
trust in taxi services – most probably fuelled by a lack of regulation. The
current system, an embodiment of free-market principles, does work
relatively efficiently – however there are very few checks and balances to
guarantee standards of driving. We want to double the penalties for
dangerous driving offences committed by on-duty taxi drivers carrying
fare paying passengers. This doubling of penalties will apply across the
board to taxi drivers, from double fines for incorrect parking, to double
sentences for evading the police.

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We will begin a consultation into making our roads safer. This will involve
the LSPD, SASD, EMS – and other relevant parties.
We will look at the possibility of introducing tougher penalties for
dangerous driving offences, and giving law enforcement greater powers
and funding to police the roads.

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Healthcare
a new approach

There is an undisputable link between healthcare, quality of life, and

economic development. We believe that in order for quality of life to
improve, we need a healthcare system which is effective and accessible to all.

Healthcare in Los Santos is based on an emergency response system, with

almost no provision for non-urgent treatment. We will seek to build a
network of general practice, and minor injuries services.

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

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There needs to be better communication between the health services and

other emergency services which rely upon health service support. We will
create new channels of dialogue, and a culture of mutual respect and support,
through the aforementioned meetings between emergency service leaders.
We will create an approachable health service which caters for minor care
needs as well as medical emergencies.
A Progressive Democrat health service will strive to revolutionise access
to healthcare through walk-in and on demand services. Working with the
EMS we would encourage the introduction of nurse practitioners into the
medical career ladder – who would be able to attend major events to
provide standby healthcare, and who would be able to staff hospitals in
order to treat walk-in patients.

As part of our commitment to accessible health, we will increase support

for General Practice
Whilst there are General Practice services within the city, they are
understaffed and need to be revitalised. We will encourage the medical
services to have a greater emphasis upon general practice as part of the
career 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 other locations 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 these
facilities.

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

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We will improve co-operation between the health services and other

emergency services.
Whilst there has been much progress in this area of late, we feel that Los
Santos can still do much better. Through the creation of dialogue between
Government and law enforcement and health bosses we will create at
atmosphere of trust, mutual respect, and co-operation, to ensure that our
emergency services are working as a team to provide the best possible
service to citizens of Los Santos.

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Government and politics

a dialogue with the public

In order to meet the needs of a new decade, we must build a new

system. Our political system is out-dated and does not match the present
needs of the people of Los Santos.

It is easy to listen to the public. It is harder to be in dialogue with the

public. Through numerous consultations and committees, we will listen to
what the public have to say, respond to it, and act on it. The present
Government claims to fulfil this via regular polls. This is not adequate.

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We will create a Cabinet of Advisors to the Mayor, which will be open and
accountable. Many positions within this organisation will be open to
applicants, and we will not bar our political opponents from joining – this will
allow us to create a more broad-minded Government.

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We will set a new tone for Government, and create a system which the
people feel they govern with, rather than are governed by.
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 render
us short-sighted.

We will seek to remove the elitism which surrounds the present

Government.
As well as creating a Cabinet of Advisors to the Mayor which will be
open to anyone, from any background – we will also set a new tone of an
administration governing for the many and not the few. We will not hide
ourselves from the voters with security measures which are ostentatiously
lavish and deliberately threatening.

We do not feel that polls alone are an adequate measure of public

opinion.
Whilst we will continue to hold polls, we will also seek far more active
forms of discussion. We will create a number of commissions on issues
such as crime, health, and transport – which will be open to members of
the 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 and
balanced manner, as opposed to relying on the decisions of one man
alone.

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Justice
balancing punishment with
rehabilitation
“Only when the public have confidence in their
justice system can the war on crime be won.”

-Dr. Frank Digby

The justice system in Los Santos is ineffectual, understaffed, and

underfunded. With his experience as a former judge, Dr. Frank Digby would
use his Deputy Mayoralty to bring fresh energy and thinking to the justice and
courts system.

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The right to a fair trial for serious offences must be strengthened. We

must manage and balance the perceived inefficiency and cost of a trial system
with the indisputable right for serious 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.

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

We will re-establish the fundamental right of a citizen to a fair trial.

We understand that every single offence cannot be heard by a court,
however we will ensure that the treatment of suspects and offenders is
fairer. We believe that it is a necessity that the public have confidence in
the justice system in order to cut crime. We will therefore make it a
requirement that, for all charges of a certain severity and above (the exact
bar will be set after consultation with law enforcement), the suspect is
tried 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 a new ethos.

The Department of Correction will be strengthened, and will be given a
new working ethos. There will be an emphasis on rehabilitation as well as
punishment. With a greater emphasis on rehabilitation, equality for
criminals who have served their sentence and a reform on sentencing to
reduce institutionalisation, we believe that the Progressive Democrats can
further lower the crime rates in Los Santos, especially the astonishingly
high re-offending rate. Some DoC employees will be offered additional
training and payment as Rehabilitation Officers, who will work with the
police, communities, and offenders who have served or are finishing
serving their time, to help offenders get their lives back on track.

We will strengthen and support the co-operation between law

enforcement agencies and prison services.
We recognise the valuable contribution which the police make to our
correctional system, and we wish to strengthen the co-operation between
the LSPD and the Department of Correction by inviting the DoC to sit at
regular public service meetings.

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Media
keeping Los Santos informed
“Mass media is a keystone of our society, and
should be respected and regulated as such.”

-Dr. Brad Williams

We respect and value Los Santos as one of the country’s most influential
media centres. We will do more to support independent productions of film,
music and literature through a new Department of Culture.

We respect the rights of journalists to work without hindrance but believe

that SAN must remain unbiased as a news source. We will continue to
provide support and funding for SAN, whilst keeping a professional distance.
The Department of Culture will ensure that SAN remains impartial.

We feel that media and news play an invaluable part in society, and will
try to increase wherever possible media coverage. The new Department of

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Culture will fund viable projects designed not only to boost Los Santos’ profile
but also those which entertain, educate and inform residents.

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We will support the media, and independent production companies. We

will encourage independent news sources and newspapers.
The new Department of Culture will oversee grants, which will take the
form of access to studio facilities, and monetary assistance. Grants will be
given only to projects which show extremely high levels of co-ordination,
and which the Cabinet of Advisors to the Mayor feels meet the
requirements of a grant.

We will support SAN as both an entertainment and news company. We

respect the right of columnists and editors to hold political beliefs, but will
not allow bias to creep into news 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 their
journalists and news outlets.

We will allow individuals and organisations to dispute libellous and

slanderous allegations made about them by the media.
Whilst encouraging investigative and groundbreaking journalism, we will
also protect the freedom of the individual by allowing individuals to file a
complaint with the Department of Culture, if they feel that output is
libellous 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 which provide news

funding, and will increase funding to SAN. In return, we will expect public
interest programming.
Organisations such as SAN will be able to apply for additional monetary
help in producing news programming. Contracts for such assistance will
include a ‘public service requirement’, which will require a certain
amount of regular and unbiased news and public service programming
throughout the day.

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Economy
delivering consistent growth
“To deliver consistent economic growth we
must support businesses and consumers.”

-Dr. Brad Williams

We have an unparalleled team to meet the challenges of the current

economic climate. Dr. Brad Williams has a PhD in Labor Economics; Dr. Frank
Digby is former Deputy Mayor of New York.

We will encourage businesses of all size to thrive by provided investment

where there is a genuine and realistic case. A new Government department
will analyse business propositions and make decisions on lending.

We will increase consumer confidence through quality assurance schemes

aimed at registered companies. By investigating complaints against

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registered companies and closing down those which consistently fail to deliver,
consumers in Los Santos will be guaranteed a higher level of security, and
therefore will spend more readily.

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Economic policy will be a key part of our leadership strategy.

We will establish a Financial Policy Committee – part of a new
Department of Business and Economics, which will be summoned by the
Mayor when appropriate to discuss aspects of monetary and fiscal policy.
This will reaffirm our commitment to a stable economy.

We will encourage small businesses by removing red tape from the

applications process.
We will incorporate the Department of Company Registrations into the
Department of Business and Economics, and increase the efficiency of
the applications process, which we will make more intuitive. The new
DoBE will register more companies, but will also be given new powers to
close down companies which fail to meet expectations.

We will increase consumer confidence and choice in the economy.

By encouraging competition in all sectors, we will increase efficiency and
choice in the market. The newly-formed Department of Business and
Economics will have the power to close down companies which provide
poor service, and seize the assets of those which commit economic crime.

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Education and training

building our future, improving
our present

Education is the key to a brighter future and a better present. We will aim
to offer increased educational opportunities to all, regardless of age, gender,
race or income.

Education should not be limited to young people. Working with businesses

and public services we will try to establish set standards for training.

The state is not always the best provider of education. We will invite
organisations to develop training programmes for children, young people, and

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adults - with set qualifications available – these may be eligible for Government
funding, subject to approval.

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Public safety
for Los Santos
“Public Health & Safety is an issue you simply
cannot ignore; our collective wellbeing is at

-Dr. Frank Digby

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

For too long, public safety has not been a priority in Los Santos. This is
unacceptable, and we will raise awareness of public safety issues.

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

Lack of funding and governmental support for Fire Services is

unacceptable. The culture of taking the fire services (tied to the EMS) for
granted cannot last, and there must be new impetus to strengthen and
support the department.

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We will shift public safety into focus.

During our term, we would found a new Department of Health & Public
Safety. This Department would be represented in the Cabinet of Advisors
to the Mayor in regular meetings with the mayor and other public services
in the city, and would be able to lobby for legislation, support and
funding.

We will conduct inspections of registered companies in order to ensure

the highest possible safety standards.
The new DoHPS will have the right to inspect fire safety, hygiene and
safety processes, and the structural integrity of buildings and premises in
order to maintain standards. Businesses which fail to comply will be fined
and ultimately closed down, with assets being auctioned off. The assets
raised 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 where necessary.
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 upgrade
vehicles where there is deemed to be a need.

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Freedom
an open and classless society

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

We will ensure the right to a fair trial through an impartial court system.
Impartial judges will decide on cases where serious penalties are at stake;
experienced lawyers (when available) will assess more minor cases.

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We will prevent corruption from seeping in to public service. Tougher

penalties for corruption and greater court powers will clamp down on
corruption.

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

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We will strengthen personal rights by guaranteeing equality.

We believe strongly in equality, and in clamping down on discrimination.
We will always consider the effect upon minorities and those from all
sectors of society when making Governmental decisions.

We will bring the private sector into line with the private sector.
The public sector is largely free of discrimination, but this cannot be said
of the private sector – where there is little enforcement and little interest.
The Department of Business and Economics will have the power to
impose penalties against registered companies which are found to practise
racism – 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 will
have the right to use reasonable force to remove them (this will not
include the use of firearms). The courts will be encouraged to issue
restraining orders, to keep certain individuals with a proven history of
breeching the peace away from named properties.

We will ensure that public services are aware of their rights and
responsibilities regarding private property.
We will require public agencies (e.g. LSPD, DoBE, SASD when
operating within LSPD juridstiction) to have a court-issued warrant
before entering any private property without permission, with the
following exemptions:
x When life or limb is at risk.
x When the officers are serving an arrest warrant approved by a
Judge.
x When the property is not owned by the person preventing access
(e.g. in the case of rented accommodation), and when the landlord
cannot 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 a
court at which the owner and the department in question will be entitled
to full representation.

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A summary
of our philosophy
Our case is simple. The quality of life in Los Santos must improve.

We want Los Santos to be a city renewed. A city with drive, a city with
purpose, a city with energy.

We are a party of ideas and not ideology. We will not be blinded by out-
dated ideology, but will take a fresh approach to issues, seeking the 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 last administration in a

pragmatic and honest way. There have been some things in the last 3
months that the previous administration has got right. We will not change
them, but we will strengthen them. Where the previous administration has
gone wrong, we will make changes.

We will be wise spenders, not big spenders. Spending is not the answer to
every problem. We will work with private investors to increase efficiency and
increase efficiency. We believe that fostering co-operation and effective
management can have equal or greater effects to increased public spending.

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We will follow the ‘golden rule’ of fiscal policy. We will only borrow to
invest, and not to fund current spending. This way, we can guarantee that Los
Santos will not face a budget deficit.

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

ƒ We will work towards a target of a guaranteed EMS response within 5

minutes.
ƒ We will improve co-operation between public service departments
through regular meetings, whilst guaranteeing operational
independence.
ƒ We will build a new public transport network with a combination of
private and public finance.
ƒ We will support business.
ƒ 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 to e-mail us
with details, or come along to a Q+A session. We will be only too happy
to clarify the details of our plans.

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