Episodes
There are times in politics when you think you’d be happy if the earth would just swallow you up and I’m sure Chief Minister Alf Cannan might have thought that at the July sitting of Tynwald. Back now from a refreshing summer break he’s raring to go and keen to deliver on his government’s much discussed plans and strategies. Two years in though does he have any successes to point to? With the Government conference taking place in less than a fortnight find out why you should attend. Minister bashing aside there are some great debates lined up and opportunities to question key government fig...
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!
Tim Cullen MBE is an Associate Fellow of the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford and was, until recently, Director of the Oxford Programme on Negotiation. Tim is best known for his role as the first Executive Director of the Small Countries Financial Management Centre, which he helped establish with the support of the Isle of Man government, the World Bank, and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Does Government investment in improving financial management in small and developing countries represent good value for tax payers’ money or would we be better spending it on improving our own se...
Ever pondered on the future of Manx politics? What do our young people think about politics. Well, Junior Tynwald is of the opinion that the transport and communication infrastructure of the Island does not meet the population’s needs.’ And also Junior Tynwald is of the opinion that school meals should be provided to more of the student population including, if possible, to all primary students, in light of the cost-of-living crisis.’ Engaging, tenacious, passionate? A breath of fresh air? No no …. this will never do. Bring back boring old senior Tynwald!
What was government dragging its feet about with the significant delay in releasing documents on the previous administration’s handling of Covid. Was Dr Ranson’s presentation ‘toned down’ or just edited to focus on the core message. Was an hour long enough for Council of Ministers to set aside for consideration of such a weighty issue of how to deal with an unprecedented pandemic? Is IoM TV presenter Paul Moulton right in feeling victimised by government or should he be apologising for besmirching government officers? Perspective this week gives you the chance to decide.
Each year, usually on the Monday before the July sitting of Tynwald in Douglas, representatives of the Island's Secondary schools are invited to try being Members of Tynwald for a morning. Manx Radio recorded this year’s sitting and on Perspective this week you can hear twelve of the questions asked at a very entertaining and interesting Tynwald sitting. Junior Tynwald certainly seems to be giving ‘senior’ Tynwald a run for their money. Perhaps there is hope for the Isle of Man yet?
There were loads of big political announcements in July Tynwald. A review of the Isle of Man’s Heritage Railways ends in just over a week’s time. Should you be concerned over government’s motivation for bringing the review forward? Are we finally going to get a wind farm in the Manx hills? Would this be a big environmental step forward or just a load of unnecessary green washing? We also consider the Biosphere, prison, the Chief Constable’s annual report and the role of the Attorney General. Manx politics finally calmed down enough for us to get back to some other big issues.
How do you catch up on the latest skeet? Via regulated media such as Manx Radio or Isle of Man Newspapers which have a duty to report in a balanced and fair way or through the internet and social media which have much less responsibility to offer truth or impartiality? Is this really what lies at the heart of the recent attempt by government to clip the wings of internet publisher Isle of Man TV or is it a sinister attempt to silence public debate? Perhaps it’s both … or neither? If you care about the truth listen to Perspective. A program very much not to be missed!
They say a week is a long time in politics and what a week we’ve just had. Tynwald members were queuing up to talk to me about everything from internal bullying, lack of confidence in the government and is the Chief Minister the right person to continue to lead the Isle of Man into the sunny future land of promise. July Tynwald always seems to produce fiery debates and hot heads but add in the sacking of a Minister and political drama is guaranteed. Outgoing Minister Chris Thomas gives his warts and all assessment his turbulent year as infrastructure Minister.
Perspective 23.7.23 - Ch...
Worried about sky high energy prices? Concerned that over reliance on undersea cables and pipelines is a major risk to our energy supplies in these very troubled and uncertain times we live? Well Energy and Sustainability Centre Isle of Man Directors Ralph Peake and Dave Quirk might well have the answers you’re looking for. Are they right in dismissing Crogga gas and thermal energy as at best just wishful thinking? Is renewable energy just the impractical dream of environmental campaigners or does it provide the answer to many of the problems we are currently facing? you’re looking for. Are...
This week we take a trip into the archives to revisit a special programme originally broadcast at the end of 1979 – looking back at a number of the events that took place across the Isle of Man, as we celebrated 1000 years of Tynwald.
“A Review of Our Millennium Year” was presented by Ian Cannell.
After a brutal assessment by Manx businesses on the likelihood of Government delivering its ambitious economic strategy Perspective explores the reasons why business has so little faith in government and what needs to be done for Ministers to restore confidence. 93% of respondents to the Chamber of Commerce survey were not convinced that government would deliver on their bold rhethoric, but just over half felt that if government did deliver it would be good for their business. Can Alf Cannan steady the government ship and win back confidence? Or was government’s strategy wishful thinking an...
Another Tynwald ‘dog’s dinner’ on Perspective this week with a bit of everything thrown in from June Tynwald. Treasury assures us that we don’t have a public finance crisis, the Chief Minister assures us that plans to stimulate the economy are working, government understands your pain when it comes to the airport failures, and good news is just around the corner if you’re a family struggling to make ends meet. Also, commitment is given to get more empty properties back into use. Is Tynwald and government in danger of actually delivering policies to improve our lives?
Do we have a public finance crisis? You could have been fooled into thinking everything’s fine if you read the Treasury Plan which is going to this week’s Tynwald. Is government’s boldness being hindered by an overly cautious Tynwald? What steps can be taken to bring the over six thousand empty properties back in to use? Should we pay more tax, reduce government services or just keep spending reserves in the hope that something will come up?
On Perspective this week MHKs Joney Faragher and Daphne Caine ponder the slow pace with which successive governments deliver meaningful change to our lives. Remember the housing crisis on which budding MHKs cut their teeth at the last election? Has there been any meaningful progress or is it warm words and jam tomorrow? And what about the Climate crisis? Is the Climate Change Transformation Board set up to fail? Just another talking shop? Or an opportunity for “virtue signalling”? Is government all talk and no action?
On 29th May 1940 the Isle of Man Steam Packet vessel Mona’s Queen 3 was sunk by an enemy mine while attempting a second evacuation of soldiers from Dunkirk. Eighty three years later the story of the vessel and her crew is still remembered in Port St Mary and on Perspective this week we find out why. Why was the heroic endeavour of so many Manxmen not suitably recognised at the time? What drove the Steam Packet crews to such incredible bravery? This incredibly heroic but tragic story is certainly worth listening to.
Earlier this week Beach Buddies organised a Southern 100 course clean up with a team of volunteers led by charity founder Bill Dale. Beach Buddies was established seventeen years ago and has certainly captured Manx and indeed global attention with its important work. Why do we need charities like Beach Buddies, and perhaps answering that question why do so many people choose the leave litter around our beautiful Island? We’ve also got some top tips from one of the volunteers on the best places to watch the races as well as a Southern 100 history lesson.
Now that legal matters surrounding the Dr Ranson tribunal are drawing to a close the President of Tynwald gave members a much freer rein to debate the matter. This resulted in a much more open discusion in Tynwald and on Perspective we hear from former Health Minister David Ashford and Chief Minister Alf Cannan. We also hear from Tim Glover MHK who resigned from his departmental roles in disgust at the way in which government has conducted itself. Did the former Health Minister ignore Dr Ranson’s advice? Do the Chief Minister’s proposed actions restore your confidence in his government? Tim...
On Perspective this week we gauge reaction to the Dr Ranson payout and the Chief Minister’s statement to the House of Keys on the matter. Claire Christian MHK demands that the independent assessment suggested by the Chief Minister includes the Attorney General’s Chambers, Politicians, not just the Department of Health and Social Care, Chris Robertshaw calls for radical change and Minister Julie Edge asks for the recommendations of the whistleblowing committee she chaired to be fully implemented. Is government in crisis or is it just a storm in the Tynwald teacup?
Tynwald leftovers for Perspective this week covering a range of issues from parking charges to credit cards, stealth taxes to safer streets. Claire Christian MHK gives us her take on the handling of an appeal into the Ranson affair. What would a consultation on parking charges tell us other than we’d rather not pay? Are credit cards for Manx people a thing of the past? Do you want safer streets or just a quick route in and out of Douglas? So much to talk about, so little time!
On Perspective this week we talk Credit Cards, tax and spend, stealth taxes, threats to teachers and health workers, casino licences and much much more. Grandfather of Tynwald, Bill Henderson MLC is joined by MHKs David Ashford and Tim Glover in a lively discusion on several key political issues. Can we afford to carry on spending so much of our reserves when attempts to boost government’s income have been faltering at best? Despite many months of talking we appear no closer to getting a workable solution on Credit Cards for new Manx applicants. Do you accept Tynwald member’s credit for tal...
Moreblessing Pedhuru has recently arrived in the Island and is supporting a project to assist women in Zambia who find themselves in difficult circumstances. Liz Charter and Tim Earl gave a presentation to a packed audience about Birds of the Gambia last week and they are also raising funds for a project which supports people in the Gambia. It’s really inspiring to hear from Liz, Tim and Moreblessing about their selfless approach to helping people who’s lives are unimaginably difficult compared with our own.
A new service has been launched by Manx Care to help the 350 adults with ME and the 1,000+ with Long Covid. ME or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, is a disabling and complex illness and prior to the new service being launched there was minimal support available for people living with the condition. Finally there is some good news for people struggling with this condition.
On Perspective this week we hear from some of the students who took part in the One World Centre’s Charity Challenge. We also hear the heart warming stories of the Ballakermeen High School team all of whom have moved to the Island from countries with different cultures and languages. The Charity Challenge aims to help secondary school students get a better understanding of the many challenges faced by people in developing countries across the world. Even the hardest of perspectives will melt when listening to our young people promoting important global development work.
This month’s Tynwald was perhaps the most emotionally charged sitting for a generation. From Rob Callister’s sacking, drag queens, housing, Road Tax, and a culture of fear in the civil service through to sharing the load in relation to public toilets, it’s fair to say we had the full range of Manx political discourse. What did the Chief Minister make of it all? Was Kerry Sharpe right to raise concerns? Was Mr Speaker content with Chris Thomas’s answers? Should local matters be left to the local authorities? Has Government shot itself in the foot over recent messaging - or lack of it?
How transparent is Manx politics? Manx Tax Payers Alliance spokesman Michael Josem called out unsuccessful LegCo candidate Gary Clueit for not being open about a £250 donation he made to one MHK’s election campaign. In response, Gary Clueit has questioned who are the mystery backers of the Tax Payers Alliance. Does money influence the way we think and vote? Is the Isle of Man too small to be troubled by such things or is big money influencing public debate. Are dark forces really plotting to buy your vote?
Perspective this week is the LegCo hustings part two. Manx Radio recorded the meeting organised by the Liberal Vannin party a few weeks ago and with the LegCo election just days away we hear for the final time the thoughts and views of the MLC hopefuls. There are some cracking questions and one or two surprising answers so well worth a listen. By this time next week hopefully all four available places will be filled in Legislative Council and we can settle back to discussing other weighty political matters. Anything much been happening?
On Perspective this week we hear from the candidates for the forthcoming legislative council election. The LegCo hustings was organised by the Liberal Vannin party and held at the Legion Hall in Douglas. In this first of two parts we find out who the candidates are and how they respond to questions from the public who attended this open event. Some probing questions and fascinating answers from the candidates. The successful four will be making big decisions about your future so worth finding out what they stand for.
Another brace of LegCo candidates on Perspective with Brian Brumby former president of the Manx National Farmers Union up first followed by semi-retired engineer Gary Clueit. Both candidates speak with passion but are they capable of providing the scrutiny, support and leadership the Island needs to solve the problems we’re facing? While you don’t get to choose your LegCo members you can share your opinions with your MHKs and if nothing else it’s good to know who might be making decisions on your behalf.
A Legislative Council special on Perspective this week with Dawn Kinnish presenting her case to become one of our representatives in LegCo and … in a program of two halves we also have young pretender Conor Keenan who’s trying for a second time to win a LegCo place. Two more candidates adding to the four we’ve already heard from in recent weeks and the only thing they agree on is that nobody knows what the House of Keys want from the second chamber. Confused - me too!