Perspective - Manx Radio

The Manx Wildlife Trust has announced a new project to restore a Manx rainforest at Glen Auldyn thanks to the Wildlife Trusts’ long-term partnership with Aviva. At 1,124 acres – with 750 acres suitable for rainforest habitat – it is the largest plantable area to enter the Wildlife Trusts’ rainforest recovery programme so far and will be the biggest nature reserve in the Island. Guests on Perspecti...

About a month ago Perspective heard from Robert Morrey who explained his plan to build an anaerobic digestor and energy hub at Andreas. Just over a week ago a group of farmers and government officials visited Scotland to see how AD plants work. I joined them as an independent observer and this week’s Perspective gives a fascinating insight into how energy crops could work for the Isle of Man. It c...

On Thursday 8th May the Isle of Man will remember the sacrifices made during the second world war with a commemorative concert for the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. 80 years after the day the allied forces celebrated victory in Europe a concert reflective of the music of the time will be held at the Villa Marina in Douglas followed by a drumhead service and the lighting of a beacon to join similar b...

April’s Tynwald sitting spilled into a rare third day, largely due to a mammoth debate on Manx Care’s Mandate and Operating Plan. In this episode, Christian Jones reflects on some of the key talking points, offering context and insight along the way. We also take a closer look at concerns over a potential constitutional flaw: is the government too powerful in political sittings, with an automatic...

The Rev Sean Turner has been a Methodist Minister in the south of the Island for the past five years but will be leaving the Island shortly to return to his home in North Carolina. He talks to Perspective about changes in society and community, love and faith. Does faith still have a place in society and if so why has there been such a big shift away from the church in the past few generations. Th...

The Treasury Minister has a lot on his plate at the moment as the impact of Trumpian economics sends shock waves around the world. An estimated 5% has been knocked off the value of Isle of Man Government reserves in recent days so how will that affect Treasury predictions in this year’s budget? Alex Allinson appears unflappable but is he and his Treasury team doing enough to bring the deficit betw...

It appears that we’re somewhat reluctant to pay enough for our food to make it worthwhile for farmers to produce the food we consume readily. “Cheaper food is best” seems to have been a message we’ve been content to support for eighty years or more but is it time for a rethink? The Agriculture Department has acknowledged that growing energy crops is now an important new area for farmers to conside...

The Isle of Man often brags about being the first place in the world to grant women the right to vote. So why have we had to wait for nearly a century and a half since that historic decision was taken, for the House of Keys to reflect the fact that half the population are women. This House of Keys has more women MHKs than any house before it so why do we still need to encourage more women to stand...

March Tynwald appeared to hold much promise with both the health overspend and the Manx Care Mandate and Operating Plan looking set to dominate proceedings. In the end neither were discussed due to Tynwald niceties and procedural matters but this allowed members to focus on some of other matters - not least the update to our Island Plan. Chris Thomas likened Ministerial cheerleading for the plan t...

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On Perspective this week we’ve got another LegCo special …. don’t worry …. just kidding! We’re actually hearing from the DEFA Minister about the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill 2024 which among other things expands the definition of “development”, introduces a system of prior approvals and provides for the imposition of charges. We’ll also hear about new protections for Manx bees a...

On the 4th March the House of Keys will choose four people to become members of the Legislative Council. Prior to that vote, Agenda and Perspective will be speaking with all the candidates so that you can find out more about the people that hope to become national politicians. On a LegCo Perspective special this Sunday at 12 noon on Manx Radio with me Phil Gawne we hear from retired engineer Andre...

On the 4th March the House of Keys will choose four people to become members of the Legislative Council. Prior to that vote, Agenda and Perspective will be speaking with all the candidates so that you can find out more about the people that hope to become national politicians. On a LegCo Perspective special we hear from businessmen Matt Gough and Ron Berry. That’s a double dose MLC Agenda special....

Next week the Treasury Minister will deliver this government’s fourth budget and on Perspective we assess the current shape of government’s finances and consider what might be announced in the budget in Tynwald on Tuesday. The Treasury Minister has been dropping broad hints about what could be revealed , particularly in relation to pensions and national insurance, but with the Government’s “O...

The Lieutenant Governor is offering 19-25 year olds the chance to immerse themselves in the work of Government House for a day. Participants will experience the breadth of Sir John Lorimer’s work, typically through meetings, visits to Island events, and the day-to-day work of the Government House team. On Perspective this week we hear from Sir John, and his first guest Emily Bridson. So, what has...

Health Minister Claire Christian has been under fire this week for telling Tynwald there’d be no cuts to health services and then cuts being announced. The beleaguered Minister rejects suggestions that she had misled Tynwald and the public, and gives her perspective on why leaking the withdrawn media release announcing health cuts misled the public. What message does the Minister have to those who...

January Tynwald saw some interesting business transacted including Strategic Air Services, a new government recruitment framework mechanism, and an announcement that the Drs industrial action had been averted. It was at times though quite fractious and government almost lost the vote on the removal of MiCard for pension and benefit payments. Several items were withdrawn from the Order Paper includ...

Doctors employed by Manx Care are planning to take industrial action primarily to achieve a 12.5% pay increase. A ballot last month showed 95% of the 121 doctors who voted supported the move as they feel that their concerns are not being taken seriously enough. They tell Perspective why they are threatening this unprecedented action and they don’t hold back on their views about Manx Care’s leaders...

Normally on Perspective we hear from seasoned voices giving their sage opinions on the affairs of the day. This week at least for the first part of the program we break from the norm and hear from Castle Rushen High School Junior Achievement program entrants Gate 2 plate. They aim to help strengthen the connection between Manx food consumers and those who produce Manx food. We also hear from Dougl...

There was so much discussed in last month’s Tynwald that we couldn’t fit it all in to December coverage. So as we’ve still not reached old Christmas Day it’s not unreasonable to extend December a little so we can cover Crogga, the Minister without portfolio, attempts to change the tax system - both increases and decreases - and an attempt to reform the budget process all crammed into this bum...

Perspective 29.12.24 Are you going cold turkey from the absence of Manx politics over the Christmas time? Are you hopeful that the bright star in the east is not a giant meteor heading straight for us? Perhaps you’re full of Christmas love and cheer and looking forward to a bright and prosperous 2025? Well Perspective may have some of the answers as we take a look back over the big stories that sh...

Perspective 15.12.24 December Tynwald proved to be a lively affair with lots of interesting debate and questions and answers. There were questions about food security and the Minister without portfolio and a debate on housing - we may begin to see some being built next year. And spare a thought for Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson who’s still banging on about making the budget process m...

December Tynwald is shaping up to be a slightly less verbose affair than its November neighbour with just three main government motions on the Order Paper but one or two meaty motions tabled by back benchers. In one of those Stu Peters stands like King Canute against the Net Zero tide. Stu explains why on Perspective. New DoI Minister Michelle Haywood tells us about her Department plan and we also...

At November Tynwald members pondered when is a dependency not a dependency, should UK legislation introduced to the Isle of Man by CoMin be laid before Tynwald and does the Isle of Man need a permanent representative in London? It’s remarkable that there has been little discussion and even less change to our constitutional relationship with the UK for nearly quarter of a century. A fascinating top...

It might be easier to talk about what Tynwald didn’t discuss this week in their rare three day sitting. Housing or lack of it was discussed, the future of our pensions, health, drugs, energy, food, the Post Office, education, dyslexia and the constitution were all squeezed in to a very busy Tynwald sitting and Perspective was there to record some of the highlights. Yes a spicy seasonal winter mix...