Episodes
The man who was governor at Strangeways during the longest prison riot in British history has written an account of his career.
Brendan O'Friel has published 'Prison Governor's Journal' exclusively on the Isle of Man.
It charts his thirty-year career working in the Prison Service of England and Wales, and considers the impact of cell overcrowding, and offender rehabilitation.
Chief Minister Howard Quayle has announced he won't be seeking re-election this September after ten years in politics, representing his consituency of Middle. In this special edition, Alex Wotton speaks to Mr Quayle in an extended interview about his time as both MHK and chief minister.
With the third sector facing challenges like new regulations, bank charges and the impact of Covid, this week on Agenda we find out where the Council of Voluntary Organisations see the future for charities on the Island. As well as that, we find out what links are being made with Manx Care, and about a conference on the third sector due late this year.
Three new heritage sites look set to join the Island's registered buildings list, but is government doing enough to keep it updated? Campaigners say no, but DEFA says its improving. And in the second half of the show, the Manx Labour Party leader explains why she’s hoping more progressive politicians are elected this year.
Leaders of the Green Party and Liberal Vannin react to the latest budget, along with Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson MHK.
There's been a rise in suicide verdicts delivered at inquests. A former politician who led a committee investigation into the issue wants to see government take action to address the troubling increase.
Meanwhile, there’s been a decade-long decline in the Island’s birth rate according to a local statistician. Paul Craine, the author of the Isle of Man ‘Population Atlas’ has been crunching the numbers to reveal the trend.
The Brexit deal could bring the Manx fishing industry the chance to catch more, and have more control over management of its waters. That’s the hope of some, with more quota to become available in the next five years as EU relinquishes some of its catch.
A medicalised approach to mental health is failing those who’ve suffered trauma in their lives, according to the director of a local charity. And the Post Office has recorded a £500k loss, but the chair of the board says finances are improving.
Will the tourism and hospitality sector recover from the cancellation of another TT? Much of the impact will depend on the type, size and location of businesses, and how finances have been managed. A Douglas hotelier explains how the loss of bookings will hit some more than others. Self-catered accommodation providers accept the decision, and say it’s a ‘mixed bag’ in terms of impact on the sector.
Those campaigning for a specialist ME service are growing frustrated with a lack of government progress on the issue. Meanwhile, similarities between illness and Long Covid have been identified, leading some to hope any new support will be able to help those with both post-viral conditions.
There’s growing interest in renewable energy installations for the home. Manx Solar Electrical talks through what’s available, improvements in battery storage, and the future for green power. Meanwhile, Manx Gas is a step closer to a new deal with government. CEO David Cruddace explains what the agreement means for customers, and about the company’s plans to offset its carbon.
Super-fast internet is going to be available for 99% of premises by the end of 2024, as Manx Telecom rolls out fibre broadband. CEO Gary Lamb explains more, and we find out why it’s led to the sudden erection of polls in a Colby estate. And a new way to help those without a job find one, and to boost business growth, has been announced.
A journalist who spent his childhood on the Isle of Man stood in a race to join local government in Washington DC last week. Peter Bolton, who ran as a member of the DC Statehood Green Party, got more than 500 votes in the election for Ward 2, losing out to the Democrats. He's described his politics as 'radical and progressive'. In an interview recorded before the results were announced, we spoke to Peter about his Manx connection, his politics and his reason for running.
‘Like a tortoise on a zimmer frame’ is how an MHK described government’s progress on cannabis regulation. The minister behind it has promised movement soon though, as a consultation is launched on exporting the plant. But campaigners, though happy the issue has been taken forward, say this won’t benefit citizens who want access to cannabis for medicinal reasons.
Drug debt collection has played a role in an increase in violent crime on the Isle of Man. We find out how youngsters are being manipulated, county lines-style, by gangs in Merseyside. The Chief Constable talks about that, speed, a border force, and mental health.
We speak to the 'Save Camlork' campaigners who made sure Strang and Union Mills weren’t connected by new estates, and get reflections on the final Eastern Area plan, which goes to Tynwald this week. As well as that, politicians’ pay is up for debate. We find out why members say this ‘restructure’ won't the taxpayer more.
The Manx Solidarity Fund has paid out around £170,000 to support hundreds of people and businesses through the pandemic. Director Peter Washington explains how the charity got started. Graih gives a cautious welcome to work on establishing new emergency housing for the homeless.
A document which paves the way for hundreds of new homes to be built in the east will go to Tynwald this month. Policy and Reform Minister Ray Harmer says he’s not worried about population size as he brings forward the adopted Eastern Area Plan. The Salvation Army has opened a new debt advice centre, and the infrastructure minister stands by his department's bid to leave silt buried off Poortown Road.
The infrastructure minister says misinformation has been spread about the landlord registration bill, which he’s promised won’t be kicked into the long grass. And should the Cabinet Office be in charge of new emergency powers legislation? Law professor Peter Edge gives his view on plans for a Civil Contingencies Bill.
The people of Castletown and Peel have been left angry and disappointed with the decision to shut Isle of Man Bank branches in the two towns. Two protest were held at the weekend, with current and former politicians outraged at the decision, which has come as part of a push towards digital banking. We hear from protesters, and constituency politicians, as well as whether the post office could step in.
What if government and unions spoke to each other before dispute emerge? That’s the purpose of a new industrial relations forum, designed to bring about more harmonious communication between the state and workers’ representatives.
There was no joy to be found for two of the Island’s political parties in the Douglas South by-election, with LibVan and the Isle of Man Green finishing in third and fourth respectively. Michael Josem came within a whisker of finishing second, with Andrew Jessopp behind the top three but still with 300 votes. So what do the leader of these parties think of this showing by their candidates? We speak to Lib Van’s Lawrie Hooper, and Isle of Man Green Party’s Andrew Langan-Newton:
Alex Wotton chairs the first of two Douglas South by-election special. With ten candidates in total, the second five (alphabetically) talk about their priorities for the vote on 27 August; Michael Jessop, Michael Josem, Kevin Oliphant Smith, Lon Pinkerton & Paul Quine.
Alex Wotton chairs the first of two Douglas South by-election special. With ten candidates in total, the first five (alphabetically) talk about their priorities for the vote on 27 August; Anthony Allen, Pamela Birnie-Malarkey, Claire Christian, Ian James Clanton, David Fowler.
Thousands of private sector homes aren’t up to standard, with the elderly and those on low incomes suffering the most from poor quality accommodation. They’re just some of the findings of a survey into the condition of private properties across the Island. DEFA minister Geoffrey Boot says more funding could be available to fix the £70 million problem, and MHK Chris Thomas thinks these issues should be considered as part of national housing strategy. Elsewhere, parish politics erupts following news of another local authority merger.
Landlords are up in arms about the government’s latest attempt to bring in minimum property standards, and claim they haven’t been directly asked for their views. A housing charity says it’s desperately needed to improve living standards. And the chief officer of Guernsey airline Aurigny explains the benefits of secure travel links, following the opening of an air corridor between the channel islands and the Isle of Man.
How do you sell queenies across the world when prices have dropped by 40% since last year because of a global pandemic? Shellfish supplier Island Seafare is faced with that problem.
Police are asking young people to take part in a survey on cybercrime, and the environment minister wants to re-introduce grey partridges on the Island so they can be shot.
The shake up in membership at the Department of Infrastructure continues following the departure of Onchan MHK Julie Edge. And Manx fisheries are in a 'dire state', with fears the industry may not survive amid a severely depressed shellfish market.
Why has it taken so long to have updated rules in place for landlords and tenants in the private sector? We speak to those involved in trying to make that happen, and take a look at a new bill aimed at regulating the private rental market. But what can be learned from previous efforts to manage this sector, and how can that be applied to what’s now being proposed?
July is the deadline for a new gas deal to be agreed by the government. Manx Gas says it welcomes a ‘concrete’ timeline. The Isle of Man Ship registry is hosting a talk on the more than 100,00 seafarers in merchant ships around the globe, trapped at sea for long periods during the Covid-19 pandemic.