Agenda - Manx Radio

At a meeting last week more than a hundred people heard from Canadian campaigner, Alex Schadenberg, Chair of Euthanasia Prevention Coalition and Dr Duncan Gerry consultant geriatrician. Both spoke with passion and expressed deep concern about Alex Allinson’s attempt to introduce Assisted Dying in the Isle of Man. So are the safeguards in the Assisted Dying Bill strong enough? We hear the vie...

The scandal surrounding the actions of the UK Post Office in connection with wrongful persecution of sub postmasters is rarely off the news lately, thanks in part to the significant campaign for justice led by Alan Bates. Looking at the fact as we now know them it seems remarkable that a common sense test hadn’t been applied by Post Office Chiefs. Corporate investigator Rob Kinrade explains...

Julie Edge has been replaced as education minister in what the Chief Minister has termed a strategic change. All parties are at pains to mention that this was not a sacking but Ms Edge responded to news of her departure by saying that as the “difficult woman” who regularly challenges decisions and offers the public perspective, I am not surprised. So what’s going on? We hear the...

The Isle of Man Electoral Commission recently published its report which makes recommendations to Tynwald in relation to House of Keys constituency boundaries. The report is due to be debated in March and on Agenda Commission members Sally Bolton and Nigel Davis explain the Commission’s findings and recommendations. Should MHKs make decisions about the future shape and size of their constitu...

We’re half way through the Cannan administration and the Chief Minister is facing growing pressure to deliver on the promises contained in the glitzy strategy documents and plans. So how does Alf Cannan think he’s doing? Is the housing crisis solved? Find out on Agenda with Amy Griffiths who caught up with the Chief Minister earlier this month. Are the recent green shoots of economic g...

The Cannan administration has had bold ambition to radically change the government and the prospects for our economic future but half way through this government’s term in office what meaningful change can they point to. Is the Cannan government’s ambition one you share or are their aspects of it that you’re not signed up to? On Agenda political commentator Alistair Ramsay joins...

There was quite a heated exchange in Tynwald this month about government’s policy relating to accepting refugees. Minister Kate Lord Brennan was surprisingly robust in defending the Cabinet Office’s approach and this led to several members including the mover of the motion Joney Faragher giving as good as they got. On Agenda this week we hear from both protagonists and get seasoned pol...

The Energy Strategy was debated in Tynwald last week and Minister Clare Barber didn’t have it all her own way. Ann Corlett again questioned the Infrastructure Minister about when his Department will lower speed limits in residential areas. Also Lawrie Hooper talks about proposed changes to constituency boundaries. Clare Barber on Energy Strategy, Ann Corlett on Speed Limits and Lawrie Hooper...

There was no room in the Perspective inn yesterday for the Homlessness Strategy and Children’s Champion’s Report. So in the Agenda before Christmas all through the House (of Keys) we have a Minister stirring and even some cows. No wise men but Tynwald stars David Ashford, Claire Barber and Kerry Sharpe are with us to give some good news good for the homeless and for vulnerable children...

We’ve got a new Fisheries Management Agreement and there’s more tweaking of the planning system being proposed. Planning and Fisheries Minister Clare Barber tells us about both including the usual proposal to increase fees - well Government needs the money I suppose! But tucked in the planning consultation there’s a proposal that the planning committee should be allowed to consid...

A damning report into children’s social care services was debated in November Tynwald, painting a very bleak picture for children in care or leaving care at 16. The report found that a lack of adequate support systems to promote the safety and well-being of these children is significantly failing them, the impact of substance misuse on children is of significant concern, and too many childre...

Anyone fancy some free money this Christmas? That appears to be what’s on offer from Paul Craine MLC as he asks Tynwald to support his motion which calls for the Isle of Man to benefit from the revenue generated on the seabed out to the median line between the Isle of Man and the UK. Scotland was granted similar benefits just prior to the independence referendum so surely the Isle of Man has...

Looking for some straight talking no nonsense politician to say it how it is? Well, a semi-retired former MHK is pulling no punches when it comes to government’s housing policy. Peter Karran has written to the new Housing Board Chair, David Ashford, with some clear policy ideas to try to find housing solutions for the many Manx workers who contnue to struggle to find affordable homes. Is thi...

Departmental Plans came in for a bit of stick in Tynwald last week but are they the “meaningless drivel” that John Rimmington once described his Department’s plan about twenty years ago? Speaker Watterson didn’t quite go that far but it is fair to say he wasn’t impressed. The Department of Education’s was one of the plans he criticised so what did Minister Edge...

A bit of déjà vu  on Agenda this week as the Bishop’s vote is once more called into question this time by the House of Keys who narrowly voted to allow Lawrie Hooper to introduce a private member’s Bill to remove the vote from the Bishop. Mr Hooper was accused of having malevolent purpose and being distracted by trivial matters when he should be getting on with the d...

The Isle of Man Government Risks Fanning the Flames of a World on Fire according to the Green Party’s Andrew Langan Newton but is he right? The claim is made as government looks to vary the conditions of Crogga’s gas exploration licence which has received intense scrutiny in recent Keys sittings. There does seem to be a growing chorus of international organisations and governments sugg...

The Cooish drew to a close yesterday after yet another successful week of events associated with the Manx language. So what do those attending this Manx language festival think about the language and its place in Island life. The language has grown in numbers of speakers, learning resources and activities over the past three decades but how relevant is it to modern life in the Isle of Man? Is it a...

Manx Care has been in the news lately more for its troubles than successes. One of Manx Care’s board members expressed concern at what our Health Services would become if doesn’t receive a substantial budgetary increase. Questions have been asked about whether indeed the separation of services from the Health Department to Manx Care is working. The Health Minister had a very public spa...

Some interesting Bills making their way through Keys and LegCo at the moment. An Income Tax Bill and Sanctions Bill which were primarily tidying up existing provision. A Vaping Bill and an Employment Bill introduce more significant changes to existing law and we hear a bit about both. We hear from Alex Allinson about the Assisted Dying Bill and Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston also tells us that t...

We hear a lot about the threats to the Island’s biodiversity with climate and land mismanagement often held up as the culprits. On Agenda this week Simon Clarke talks to farmers who have been recognised for getting things right and giving a helping hand to the rich Manx biodiversity that so many of us cherish. A fortnight ago the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group held their annual Manx Far...

Political commentator Alastair Ramsay is known for his thoughtful assessments of issues which face our Island so what’s got him so wound up lately? Alastair lets rip on this week’s Agenda about his deep concerns over the process which has led to the proposed site in the south for a wind farm development. An episode not to be missed. Is Alastair right to be so concerned? Surely we&rsquo...

Revision to government’s capital procedures and regulations might not sound like the most riveting of subjects and yet tens of millions of taxpayers pounds are spent each year on government’s capital program. From big projects such as the Promenade and Liverpool Sea Terminal down much smaller things like new hospital equipment or a still proposed flight simulator for the airport are al...

Lewis Foster looks back at the highs and lows of 2023 Isle of Man Government Conference.

Tanya August-Hanson MLC is at it again, spearheading new legislation and helping the Manx public lead easier lives. She’s consulting on a private member’s Bill which would allow some bits of legislation to catch up with societal changes surrounding same sex families. She’s also helping the Planning Department steer and amendment Bill through which will help simplify the planning...

Sarah Maltby is one of the new crop of MHKs elected at the 2021 general election. One of two Manx Labour MHKs Sarah has taken up the Social Security role in Treasury. She’s had a busy summer knocking on doors and finding out what her constituents in Douglas South are thinking. Sarah gives us all the skeet on what she’s been finding out. There is something quite admirable about giving o...