In the next election period

I had no greater dislike when practicing sports in my younger years than for outdoor running. Monotonous and tedious with no football. They seemed almost pointless. Therefore, it was one fine day that I plucked up the courage to discuss this matter with the coach. To get some discussion about my viewpoint and get to the bottom of the matter. The answer that the child received was clever and instantly wiped away all my doubts; "Ágúst, if you can point me to a builder who constructs a house without starting with the foundation, then by all means ask him to contact me." This was very encouraging to me and completely silenced my doubts; the coach's vision was logical and natural, those who have the stamina for running build the technique on top of that, but those who cannot run may not have much business in football.

But from childhood memories to reality. The task for the government in the upcoming term will indeed be this, a bit of a long-distance run to start with. We need to continue to strengthen the infrastructure that has been systematically built up during the term; and there it is mainly notable a major effort in transport issues far and wide across the country. In other areas, a Herculean effort is needed, as in healthcare. The business environment needs to be set so that they can tackle demanding tasks. There needs to be an increase in value creation, and companies must be able to invest in equipment and tools to withstand competition and no less to hire people for work. Together, this will increase value creation in society, for the good of all.

Some people believe that this is best done by betting on a societal structure that has collapsed in many parts of the world with untold disasters for its citizens. It can be asserted that its heralds are astray. The means of production in societies will not be nationalised, for the nation's benefit, rather it would be, on the contrary, our collective disaster. A strong business sector is the cornerstone of welfare; good healthcare services, reliable educational institutions, and a thriving cultural life. Surely, some might now want to try an outdated and harmful arrangement, right in the midst of COVID-19. But from my perspective, I think that method has been fully tested and there is absolutely no need to take that risk. We need to continue without extremes to the right or to the left, keeping reason in mind. The future depends on the centre.

Ágúst Bjarni Garðarsson, chairman of the municipal council in Hafnarfjörður and is placed 2nd on the Framsókn list in the Southwest constituency.

The article was first published on visir.is on 23rd August 2021.