You can feel it in the weekly shop, rising bills, rent, mortgages, childcare, fuel prices and the constant squeeze on household budgets.

Businesses are feeling it too, with higher costs, more uncertainty, and too much government bureaucracy getting in the way.

High-profile job losses in e-gaming and finance have also raised real questions about the strength and balance of our economy.

Meanwhile, the public sector continues to grow.

I have worked inside Government. I have seen how money can disappear into systems that are too slow, too bloated and too hard to change.

That is frustrating for the public, for employers, and for many public servants who are trying to do good work in a system that often gets in its own way.

We need to build a stronger economy that gives people confidence in the future.

That means backing local businesses, creating better jobs, supporting innovation, growing new sectors, protecting public money, and making sure economic growth improves life for people who live here.

The Isle of Man cannot afford to stand still.

We need:

• Government that respects taxpayers’ money
  Waste and inefficiency are not small issues. Every pound wasted is a pound that cannot be spent on the services people rely on.

• An economy where hard work gives people a fair shot
  People should be able to build a life here, not just survive from one month to the next.

• Real support for local businesses
  Government should make it easier for businesses to start, grow and take on staff. That means less needless bureaucracy, faster decisions, clearer support and better access to government contracts.

• Growth in future-facing sectors
  The Isle of Man should build opportunity in areas like technology, digital, AI, data, clean energy and other sectors where we can create good jobs and a stronger reputation.

• Protection of our reserves and National Insurance Fund
  Our reserves should not be treated as an easy answer to overspending. They need to be protected and rebuilt for the future.

I will call for:

• A serious spending review
  Government should take an honest look at where it is duplicating work, slowing itself down, or spending money without clear results.

• A stronger focus on the cost of living
  Major decisions should be tested against the real pressure people are facing with food, housing, energy, childcare, transport and everyday bills.

• A better deal for local enterprise
  Government should create the conditions for businesses to thrive, rather than burying them in paperwork.

• A joined-up plan for innovation, skills and opportunity
  Growth should mean better jobs, stronger skills, more apprenticeships, and more chances for young people to build their future here.

• A long-term approach to public finances
  We need stronger financial discipline, proper protection for our reserves, and a clear plan to reduce reliance on reserve withdrawals.

I do not pretend to have every answer.

But you do not need a degree in economics to see that the current system is not working well enough.

The Isle of Man needs to spend better, grow smarter and build an economy that gives people real opportunity.

That means a government that gets the basics right, backs local businesses, supports innovation, protects public money, and helps people build a decent life here.