Perspective - Manx Radio

It’s fair to say that the Manx fishing industry has had its ups and downs and certainly has been struggling in recent years. There does appear to be calmer weather ahead for Manx fishermen though with fish stocks improving, good scientific knowledge and advice now available and renewed political interest in the value and opportunities Manx fisheries offer. Can we expect kipper queenie wars w...

At the December sitting of Tynwald Enterprise Minister Lawrie Hooper will be looking for support for a new multi-million pound Island Infrastructure Scheme, which is designed to stimulate and accelerate the development of privately owned and unoccupied brownfield sites. Ministerial promises relating to brownfield sites have come and gone almost as frequently as the tide on Douglas shore, so w...

Thomas the Tank Engine was inspired by our Manx railways, but is Thomas about to lose his friends? The Fat Controller DoI Minister, Chris Thomas, and naughty trucks Daphne Caine and Charles Guard consider a possible move to allow a charitable body to run the heritage railways as well as discussing the “will they won’t they” question on reinstating the horse trams. Hopefully we&rs...

Stu Peters MHK joins us this week to talk about his new roles in highways and the post office, but we also discuss Rob Callister’s shock sacking announced on 10th November, and have look at the November Tynwald Order Paper. Stu certainly appears to be warming to his new role but has he become part of the club, or is it possible to effectively challenge and hold government to account without...

For energy security & economic reasons, as well as climate commitments, there is a growing expectation of a relatively rapid transition away from traditional forms of power on the Isle of Man. Last week the Isle of Man’s Energy & Sustainability Centre (ESC) brought together practitioners from Denmark, Faroes and other islands who have developed strategies to achieve 100% renewable en...

Health Minister Rob Callister talks with Phil Gawne about his role and the challenges he and the department face

Everyone thinks planning is out of date and needs root and branch reform. Ask people to give examples of what’s wrong and what specifically needs to change,  and many revert to rather vague recollections but little by way of detail. With government now looking to streamline the planning system and the much-publicised  rejection of an application by Kell Properties on the old Newson...

There are six items in Tynwald this week relating to Climate Change. Overall emissions to be reduced by at least 35% by 2030 and reduced by at least 45% by 2035. There’s a ban on microbeads and single use plastic, including plates, bags, straws, stirrers, cutlery, and cups; and a there’s a clear plan and road map for us to become carbon neutral by 2050. There are benefits to all this t...

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.   

I’m sure Bernard Moffatt wouldn’t mind me saying that he’s seen many iterations of government and Tynwald come and go. He’s still a regular contributor to political debate on social media and continues as Assistant General Secretary of the Celtic League. With the Cannan administration about to embark on some fairly radical changes Bernard gives his seasoned view on populati...

The inaugural Isle of Man government policy conference gave a fascinating insight into government’s thinking and its draft economic strategy. This week Perspective focuses on day two of the conference in which we hear about housing, brown field development, broadening government’s tax base, and how to expand the Manx economy. Yes, just when you though it was safe to go back in the poli...

Government’s Draft Economic Strategy envisages building a strong, sustainable and diverse economy but what does all that mean in reality? Well, 15 thousand new residents to fill  5 thousand new jobs, delivering an extra 200 million pounds for our stretched public services. Where will these new people live, what will attract them to come here and does government have a clear plan? All th...

The Winkle Pickers exhibition charts the story of the Laboratory from the opening of the original buildings, the move in 1902 to its well-known site on the south-west of Port Erin Bay, through to its closure in 2006. Perspective hears from Hugh Davidson of the Rushen Heritage Trust and Port Erin Marine Laboratory former staff and alumni, Peter Duncan, Andy Brand, and Jeremy Paul.  

Perspective 11.9.22 - reflection on passing of the Lord of Mann. Various guest reflect on the Queen's passing, the new King and our constitutional position.

With food prices sky rocketing and lengthy supply chains becoming much less secure Perspective looks at a new food production system which could provide at least some of the answers. Regenerative agriculture combines centuries old farming practice with modern science to allow farmers to produce food more sustainably and enhance the island’s biodiversity. We also look at an award for farmers...

Another brace of newbie MHKs on Perspective with Treasury members Sarah Maltby and Andrew Smith talking about the financial support packages government announced this week to try to address the cost of living crisis. Have they been effective in their first year? Is it okay to say one thing at election time and then shift your position after? Do we expect too much of our wannabe politicians or are...

On Perspective this week MHKs John Wannenburg and Tim Johnston talk about their first year in politics, the challenges they have faced in fulfilling their roles and their successes so far. They also consider the enormous financial pressures facing us all and give an honest assessment of whether government’s actions are sufficiently strong to address the crises we’re facing. Have our ne...

On Perspective this week we’re considering your human rights. Should we be concerned about UK politics potentially talking us out of being part of the European Convention on Human Rights? Manx QC Stuart Gale certainly thinks so, but Deputy Chief Minister Jane Poole Wilson MHK does not believe this will be a problem. The Minister also talks about her move from MLC to MHK and Minister, conside...

On Perspective this week we’re trying a different take on digging up the past. Rather than political muck raking we’re sifting through a rich vein of archaeology. Over the past four years Dr Rachel Crellin has been leading a team which has been uncovering fascinating historical artifacts from a burial mound at Berk just South of Kirk Michael. There’s still a lot of post dig mater...

Perspective was live from the Southern District Agricultural Show talking food and farming with Ean Parsons and Murray Cringle from the Manx National Farmers Union, Vicky Quirk from Betty's Pies and Food and Agriculture Minister Clare Barber MHK. We know that we're currently struggling to address the housing crisis and escalating fuel prices. Are we about to see the end of farming in the I...

Perspective was live from the Southern District Agricultural Show talking food and farming with Ean Parsons and Murray Cringle from the Manx National Farmers Union, Vicky Quirk from Betty's Pies and Food and Agriculture Minister Clare Barber MHK. We know that we're currently struggling to address the housing crisis and escalating fuel prices. Are we about to see the end of farming in the I...

A week is a long time in politics so how on earth are we’re going to fit a whole year in? Government has lost two Ministers and countless senior civil servants. The Chief Min exudes confidence and bold ambition but has enough real change actually been delivered? What meaningful action has occurred to deal with the housing crisis which was big on the lips of all the wannabe MHKs at election t...

The July sitting of Tynwald has fifty two items on the order paper forty seven of which have come from government. That’s more business than the May and June Tynwalds combined and will most likely see a lengthy three day sitting. There are statements on economic strategy, offshore energy, climate change, illicit drugs, the MUA wants an extra 16m on top of the 23.5m already budgeted for sewag...

Perspective this week considers what it means to be truly sustainable. As “Sustainable” appears to mean all things to all people I ask our guests “what they think it means” and “why do we need sustainable businesses.” With only 36% having yet calculated their carbon footprint are most Manx Businesses yet to be convinced by government’s claim of a climate e...

On Tuesday we celebrate our national day at Tynwald but what does it mean to be Manx these days. What makes up our character and identity, and indeed does Manxness really matter any more. Also with the Scottish government calling for a second referendum on independence what would an independent Scotland mean for the Isle of Man, and indeed would the Isle of Man be better off as a fully independent...