Episodes
Tanya August-Hanson MLC is at it again, spearheading new legislation and helping the Manx public lead easier lives. She’s consulting on a private member’s Bill which would allow some bits of legislation to catch up with societal changes surrounding same sex families. She’s also helping the Planning Department steer and amendment Bill through which will help simplify the planning process. And she’s also looking for views on how Charities Registration and Regulations are functioning. In the absence of Keys members driving legislative change do you welcome LegCo picking up the law-making cudgel?
Sarah Maltby is one of the new crop of MHKs elected at the 2021 general election. One of two Manx Labour MHKs Sarah has taken up the Social Security role in Treasury. She’s had a busy summer knocking on doors and finding out what her constituents in Douglas South are thinking. Sarah gives us all the skeet on what she’s been finding out. There is something quite admirable about giving over so much time to canvassing the views of your constituents but is this the best use of limited time? Is there too much talk and not enough action, or do you value spending more time with your MHK?
With all the exam results out now how does Education Minister Julie Edge MHK think Manx students have done? Relations between teachers and the Department have been shakey at best over the past few years. Are there signs of improvement now? And what’s the latest on the QE2 drag queen affair? Were you inspired by your teachers? Is there too much bureaucracy in education these days? So much to talk about, so little time!
Onchan MHK Julie Edge brought two motions to July Tynwald which sought to increase the impartiality of the Tynwald committee that polices the standards and conduct of Tynwald members. In an emotional speech Ms Edge refered to an episode of bullying which she claimed to be the victim of in the previous House of Keys. Is it reasonable that the Speaker who ensures that Keys Members act appropriately in the Keys sittings is also responsible for considering members conduct and issuing punishment in his role on the Tynwald Standards and Members Interest Committee. Some interesting comment on educ...
The Health Services Consultative Committee released its annual report a few weeks back which was mildly critical of the the Health Department. Outgoing Chair Andrew Cole in an interview about his Committee’s report felt that the Health Minister tried to bully his committee. The Minister strongly refutes this allegation and describes the report as riddled with errors. In the meantime the broadcaster who interviewed the outgoing chair claims he’s being threatened with lawyers letters. What is going on? Is the Minister being too robust in defending his Department or is he right to kick back at...
Tanya August Hanson and Bill Henderson MLC gave a strong defence of the role and workload of members of the Legislative Council a few weeks back which incensed Positive Action Group founder and seasoned Tynwald watcher Roger Tomlinson so on Agenda this week he gives a different perspective on the Legislative Council and Tynwald. Should LegCo be directly elected by the people? Should the Chief Minister be voted in by the Manx people? Do we really care provided government and Tynwald are making our lives better?Should Roger be given a medal for dedicating so much of his time to following Tynw...
With the Assisted Dying Bill receiving it’s first reading in the House of Keys last week Agenda speaks to assisted dying advocates Trevor Moore and Paul Weatherall. Trevor is chair of UK campaign group My Death My Decision and Paul is a member of the Manx branch and member of Facebook group Let Me Choose. They paint an eloquent picture in favour of the Bill but are they right? Lots to consider on Agenda. Should politicians be giving power to people to choose when and how their lives should end? Should doctors be given power to be able to end your life if you ask them to help you. Lots to th...
Legislative Council has come in for a fair bit of stick recently for its very short sittings, just twenty one sittings each year outside of Tynwald and the relatively passive if not silent public face of Leg Co members. On Agenda MLCs Tanya August Hanson and Bill Henderson fight back. Is legislative scrutiny more than just passing comment in LegCo. Is the lack of legislation coming through the branches the fault of government and limited availability of legislative drafters? Does government have far more important stuff to be getting on with than creating new law, or is new law essential t...
Ever wondered why our children’s teeth are full of fillings? Did you know that children’s dental health here is among the worst in these Islands? In last month’s Tynwald the Social Affairs Committee presented a report on Children’s Oral Health which the Health Minister felt was a bit weak in its demands. We hear from the Minister and one of the Committee members on Agenda. And yes the ‘f' word is mentioned. Is fluoridation of our water the cure for our children’s bad teeth or is it mass medication and much to be avoided?
Do we need need a Bishop? Some might argue that as we fall into a pit of moral decline their has never been a more important time to have the moral and spiritual guidance the Bishop provides. Others would suggest that changes in society and community mean that organised religion is very much yesterday’s news. With our current Bishop stepping down this year Joney Faragher MHK is hoping to gain Tynwald support to remove the Bishop from Tynwald. Does she have a good case? Does Tynwald still need moral guidance?
Looking for some adrenaline fuelled excitement? The motor bikes just not thrilling enough for you? Well Agenda might be just what you’re looking for as we considered two Bills which are currently making their way through Keys and LegCo. The Sanctions Bill aims to provide a modern and flexible framework to allow Manx authorities to implement United Kingdom sanctions, and the Income Tax Bill clarifies a possible technical flaw in Manx tax law. Yes, two fascinating Bills on this week’s show - three if you include Bill Henderson.
One of the speakers at the recent conference on Language and Society in the Isle of Man was Ben Ó Ceallaigh, a Lecturer in the Department of Welsh and Celtic Studies at Aberystwyth University. His talk on language policies and neoliberal retrenchment in Ireland, Scotland and Man was certainly thought provoking and on Agenda this week he tells us why lesser used languages are important and how global financial turmoil is impacting on language support and development. Are solutions to environmental protection and supporting indigenous languages and cultures connected? Do you think it’s all a...
Are the constituencies too big, or too small. Are two seat constituencies better than three seat, one seat or all Island elections. Is our electoral system fit for purpose and if it is why do only half the electorate turn out to vote? These questions and many more are being asked by Electoral Commission Chair, Sally Bolton and her colleagues on the Commission. The House of Keys is elected just once in five years, so what would encourage you to vote or indeed make it easier for you to vote. Are you an eager and enthusiastic participant in our electoral process, or do you view it all with a h...
Co-Founders of Reayrtys, Dr Simon Collister and Nick Hawkes, gave evidence to Tynwald’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Justice Committee last week. What is Reayrtys I hear you ask? Well they are a group that wants to start an open and honest discussion about the kind of country we can be, now and in the future. They’re keen on constitutional reform claiming it to be a solution to the cost of living crisis, the ageing population, climate change, low election turnout and creaking public services. Find out if Reayrtys’s bold claim has any merit on Agenda. Is the constitution holding us b...
As the Isle of Man finally signs up to the Paris Agreement Agenda asks is it worth the paper it’s written on, the Infrastructure Minister gives us some insights in to Road Tax and looks forward to its future reform and former Chair of the MUA explains the electricity price hikes. The talk on tackling climate change is good but are we really seeing anything other than a promise of things to come. Is vehicle duty really a tax to pay for road improvements or just another stealth tax, and are the significant electricity price hikes justifiable or should government be doing more to help?
Founder of the Eden Project, Sir Tim Smit, attended a conference on Friday which explored the economic opportunities for the Isle of Man through its strong cultural and business links with the North of England. The event, was a joint initiative by the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. The ambition to replicate the success of the Eden Project in Cornwall with the new site in Morecambe is expected to attract thousands of visitors to North West England. Will the Isle of Man benefit from all these visitors just across the water?
In perhaps the most emotionally charged sitting of Tynwald I’ve ever witnessed the former Health Minister Rob Callister MHK was found to have breached Tynwald standards. Mr Callister accepted the findings and gave a full apology to Tynwald but made clear that he had always tried to live up to the highest standards of openness honesty and integrity. On Agenda Rob Callister gives his take on the events that led up to last week’s Tynwald debate on his sacking. Is Rob Callister a dishonest bully? Or has he been harshly judged by his colleagues?
In tomorrow’s Tynwald the Chair of the Tynwald Standards and Members’ Interests Committee, Speaker Watterson will move his Committee’s report into matters relating to the dismissal of Rob Callister as Minister for Health and Social Care. This was to say the least an extraordinary event in the colourful history of Ministerial politics, so what actually happened to provoke it. We’ll hear from Rob Callister on next week’s Agenda but this week Michelle Haywood one of the three Health Department members involved in this case gives her take on things.
This Saturday is Global Recycling Day so on Agenda this week Minister for waste Chris Thomas MHK and government waste guru Stephanie Gray tell us why we should all recycle whenever we can. Some popular myths about recycling are exploded and suggestions are given on how we can all do more to recycle valuable resources. Who is responsible for recycling policy and implementation? Should central government lead on recycling or should local authorities step up on this one. Not often we hear Chris Thomas talking rubbish on the radio … is it?
A LegCo bonus podcast - Alastair Ramsay discusses all things LegCo on this podcast extra. Does anyone really know what LegCo is for and what MHKs are actually looking for? There doesn't appear to be a collective view on this with MHKs split on a number of core issues. Will Alastair and Phil get to the bottom of this? Perhaps not but they have fun pondering! Everything you've ever wanted to know about LegCo but didn't dare ask.
On an extened Agenda this week we hear from the final two candidates for the Legislative Council election. Banker Peter Reid and David Prictor give us a full account of their backgrounds and motivation to become national politicians. Do the skills obtained from running a bank equip you for running our country? With the LegCo election taking place in just over a week’s time you can find out about all the candidates by listening to Manx Radio’s LegCo candidate Agenda and Perspective podcasts and lobby your MHKs to vote for your favourite candidates.
On Agenda this week we hear from Douglas housing manager Marie Birtles, another LegCo hopeful. Why does she want the role and does she have what it takes to be an effective Member of the Legislative Council? This is the ninth candidate we’ll have heard and each one has brings their own unique qualities to the contest. The successful candidates will play a significant role in shaping the future of our Island so even though you don’t get to choose them, it’s good to know who they are. Is your future safe in their hands?
On Agenda this week another Legislative Council hopeful sets out her cause. Chair of Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioners Kirrie Jenkins has plenty of life experiences but does she have what it takes to play an active or perhaps more importantly a useful role in national politics? Does Chairing the local parish commissioners provide sufficient experience for someone seeking a role in national politics? Do we have even the faintest idea as to what the House of Keys wants from LegCo? Would anyone even notice if LegCo didn’t exist?
As interest in the Legislative Council election begins to hot up, we hear from another wannabe member of LegCo Tanya August Hanson MLC. Ms August Hanson was elected to LegCo 5 years ago so what has she been doing and why does she think her work warrants another five year term? What do you expect from people in our parliament’s second chamber? Should they be seen and not heard, or do you expect your national politicians to be both visible and outspoken? Is being busy the same as being effective?
There's an election to the Legislative Council coming soon and Paul Craine MLC is looking for votes. Is the role of the Council changing, what are Keys members looking for and how do they decide. Mr Craine was elected in November 21, shortly after the general election and has certainly been vocal since then. So what does he want to achieve and what can he offer? Is Mr Craine doing a good job and worth a further 5 years in LegCo, is it time for fresh faces, or do you think it doesn’t matter who gets in as they’re only in it for themselves?
Dr Roger Barker is the Institute of Directors’ London-based Director of Policy and Corporate Governance and a former investment banker so why has he been asked to give a talk for Biosphere Isle of Man? Are we finally acknowledging that climate change, mass extinctions and loss of habitat is connected to the lives we lead and the business models of the companies which supply our services? And even if you’re not convinced, surely it can’t be bad if we live in a cleaner more sustainable world?
Last year the Isle of Man was warmer and sunnier than it has been since records began so why is Paul Craine MLC so worried? 2022 had 3 times more thunder storm than usual but slightly less rain, so we’re more likely to get flooding when it does rain, and only one of the past 25 years has been cooler than average. Mr Craine may be a bit of a statistics nerd but he’s concerned and these long term trends. Are you happier that its warmer and sunnier, or do you share Mr Craine’s concerns about global warming? Too much green wash or is it all a storm in a tea cup?
At its sitting on 14th March 2023 the House of Keys will elect four Members of the Legislative Council. MHKs will want to elect the best people for the job, although it is not always clear what that job entails. Following the 2021 general election two legislative council seats became available and on was filled by Diane Kelsey. Mrs Kelsey has been relatively quiet since she was elected so what does she stand for and what does she make of her new role? Everything you ever wanted to know about one of our newest Tynwald members but didn’t like to ask.
An hour long irreverent look back over the year just gone and the year to come with Sam Turton, Paul Moulton, Bernard Moffatt and me Phil Gawne. Will a great light been shone in the darkness? I wouldn’t get your hopes up.
Last week Rob Mercer MLC called on Tynwald to reaffirms its opinion that the Meat Plant is a significant strategic asset for the Isle of Man which has been severely affected by a number of changes in agricultural policies and external legislative pressures over the last 15 years. At the same sitting Daphne Caine MHK succeeded in persuading Tynwald to acknowledge the global biodiversity and ecological crisis we are currently living through. They join former leader of the Manx farmers union Tim Johnston MHK. Is government serious about food security or is it just Jam tomorrow!