Episodes
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!
At the sitting of the House of Keys on 14th June 2022 Dr Alex Allinson, MHK for Ramsey was given leave to introduce a Private Member’s Bill which would “enable adults who are terminally ill to be provided at their request with specified assistance to end their own life”. A public consultation has been launched which seeks your views and opinions on this controversial and very complex matter. Dr Allinson explains his motivation for seeking to introduce the Bill. Should you have the right to decide how and when you die, or is the sanctity of life not something politicians should be interferin...
There is currently no statutory framework to assist where adults either cannot communicate decisions or are unable to make decisions for themselves, but all that is about to change. Last Tuesday the Capacity Bill 2022 received its final reading in Legislative Council and returns to Keys this week for final approval. So why has it taken so long to introduce this legislation, and what impact will it have? Some of the most difficult decisions we ever have to make affect our loved ones as they approach the end of their lives so will the new Act help or hinder?
The saying goes, “there’s lies, dang lies and statistics” but Agenda this week is speaking to three people who beg to differ. Treasury Minister Alex Allinson and Jonny Platten, Head of Economic Advisory, tell us about the new Isle of Man Government dashboard and why it's important. Also, Kelvin Corlett head of Statistics Isle of Man explains how statistics are gathered and why his organisation is staunchly independent of political interference.
Phil Gawne challenges Courtenay Heading on his views and opinions surrounding vaccination and Covid.
Tucked away in the December Tynwald business is an apparently modest and unassuming item which seeks to allow far greater access to the Isle of Man’s beneficial ownership register, and yet this is a significant step in removing the secrecy jurisdiction label through which the Isle of Man’s international reputation has been attached for several decades. Treasury Minister Alex Allinson and, long-time critic of the Isle of Man’s financial secrecy, Phil Craine, join Phil Gawne to discuss this weighty topic. The Minister also discusses the impact of the UK financial statement on the Manx economy...
The Clerk of Tynwald’s Office is calling for interested parties to apply for a new role - the Tynwald Auditor General. The estimated budget for the appointment and their associated office is around £400,000 so how can this be justified at a time of financial constraint. Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson has long been an advocate for introducing this role and he explains all on Agenda at 6pm this evening with me Phil Gawne on Manx Radio. Can we afford to spend £400,000 to save at least £1.2m. Indeed, can we afford not to?
A Wall Street Journal article recently accused Isle of Man firms of helping Russian oligarchs to hide their wealth from sanctions.
In this episode of Agenda, Lewis Foster turns to the company in the centre of the article - Bridgewaters - as he speaks with Managing Director Mark Veale
The 2022 Farm Conservation Challenge and Chough Awards had dozens of entries and celebrate the strong role farmers play in protecting and encouraging the Isle of Man’s rich biodiversity. Organised by the Isle of Man Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group the awards celebrate our farming community as the guardians of our cherished natural landscape, recognising that they successfully combine commercial farming with conservation initiatives. The Chough award winners are of course experts in their field and were well chuffed with the award.
Jason Moorhouse, MHK for Arbory, Castletown and Malew finds himself as wholly detached from any government responsibility, leaving him free to grill Ministers on all areas of policy and delivery. His approach has been criticised for being too focussed on local, constituency matters but on Agenda this week he talks about big national topics like housing, cost of living crises and an all-Island rate. Is there a national politician lurking beneath the surface or is he just seagulls and dog poo - only one way to find out!
A blast from the past on Agenda this week with Liberal Vannin founder and spokesperson Peter Karran who has raised a number of topical items in recent months. Peter calls for changes to the IoM Pension supplement, broadening the 5% VAT rate, and raises concerns over human rights.
Organisations contributing to a more sustainable Isle of Man were recognised last week at the fourth UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man Awards. The awards celebrate those contributing to the Man and the Biosphere Programme’s global aims of sustainable development, conservation and education and are organised in line with Biosphere Isle of Man’s strategy, ‘Working Together for a Sustainable Future’. At a time when dark forces seem to be lurking around a bit of really positive news for a change. It’ll never catch on though!
Everything you ever wanted to know about the government’s economic strategy, the inaugural government conference and how the House of Keys has fared during the 12 months since the election. Does the government have a bold an exciting vision set to change our lives for the better or is it just the same old plan with a glitzy new cover.
Our constitutional monarchy and receiving an honour - Agenda revisits part of a program first broadcast earlier this summer.
On this episode of Agenda Simon Pickering Head of Insurance and Pensions at Finance Isle of Man reveals a whole new realm to those of us who are largely unfamiliar with the world of high finance, but this is such an important sector in providing nearly half the income on which government relies to pay for the services we all enjoy. The Manx finance industry has moved on significantly from the 1980’s when it was likened to the wild west. Despite it’s good international reputation though it remains very much dependent on the vaguaries of international politics. How safe is this vital sector o...
Chief Constable Gary Roberts has been in post for over a decade but will be stepping back from the role at the end of the year. He talks about the changing nature of policing in the Isle of Man and the vast range of issues covered from petty crime to international money laundering. Financial pressures restrict how effective policing can be and relatively low starting salaries means that recruitment of new officers is becoming increasingly difficult. Do you feel safe in your home and community? The statistics certainly suggest the Isle of Man is one of the safest places to live in these Isla...
The Treasury Minister has had a lot to deal with since taking over from David Ashford three months ago. A flurry of announcements this week demonstrated an understanding of the significant financial difficulties many of us are facing, and short term fixes have been delivered - but are these sustainable? Can the government continue to burn the economic candle at both ends. On Agenda Alex Allinson MHK tells me why we need a radical shift in economic strategy and what the Cannan administration’s brave new world will look like. We’ve got to hope someone knows what they’re talking about.
In this extended Agenda the Chief Minister Alf Cannan MHK explains in some depth his government’s thinking in developing this bold ambition. Is his government all spin and glitzy brochures or is there real substance to what he says? Whatever you think you really should take the opportunity to engage with government if you want your views to help shape the future of our Island.