Perspective - Manx Radio

This week, Perspective took a look at what some might argue is proving to be one of the most divisive topics of the Quayle administration. It’s a talking point that always garners an enormous amount of comment and debate on social media, on the airwaves, in the pub – and one that sparks strong opinions on both sides. In the December sitting of Tynwald, Garff MHK Daphne Caine tried again to launch...

It's hoped the Isle of Man will have a state-of-the-art, dedicated cuesports facility by February next year. Plans have been approved to construct 'The Cue Zone IOM' in the old sorting office on the Ronaldsway Industrial Estate, which is now beginning to take shape. It'll house five or six top-of-the-range snooker tables, plus an 8-Ball Pool room and lounge area. Twenty-three-year-old ex-professio...

We chose to dedicate Perspective this week to the launch of a very important book. In January this year, the Isle of Man lost a cornerstone of Manx culture, a catalyst in the ongoing revival of the Manx language, a crucial servant of Manx Radio over many many years, and someone not lightly described as a genuine polymath. Dr Brian Stowell had an illustrious career in nuclear physics, held in the h...

On this week's episode, we’re taking a look ahead to one of the items on the agenda for the House of Keys on Tuesday, which could see a crucial piece of legislation on the Isle of Man pass another significant hurdle. In March last year, local charity 'Safe Strong Secure' started a petition calling for reform of the Island's domestic abuse legislation. The move came in light of what the charity fel...

This week was an important one for the Island's Attorney General, who was thrust under the spotlight of a Tynwald committee - in public. Currently in that role is John Quinn QC. The Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Justice Committee is looking at a range of topics relating to Her Majesty's Attorney General - including the relationship he has between the Government, Governor and Tynwald. The wo...

This week, we dedicated the programme to one of the Isle of Man's best-known and most respected broadcasters. It was announced on Thursday (7 Nov) that Roger Watterson had passed away, at the age of 77. Roger's involvement with Manx Radio began in 1974, when he co-authored a report into the station. He was elected to the House of Keys in 1976, and appointed to the Broadcasting Commission and the M...

This week's Perspective; William King, sitting in for Dollin Mercer, was joined by representatives of four podcasts made on the Isle of Man to discuss the audio they make. We hear from Ged Power who makes tourism and golf podcasts, Neil and Neil at the Manx theatre podcast, Jess Ward from the Isle of Man Newspapers Podcast and Sian Cowper from the motorsport podcast 3 legs 4 wheels. William also s...

Describing itself as “an environmental initiative that would improve the lives of working and middle class families on the Isle of Man,” we hear all about the ‘Fare Free Campaign’ on this week's episode of Perspective, which is calling for public transport on the Island to be made free for all. Devon Watson, the spokesperson for the campaign, joins Dollin Mercer in the studio. But first, we remind...

A climate emergency was declared on the Isle of Man in May. In July, Professor James Curran was brought in to lead a team of around twenty – working towards a climate change action plan for the Island. They were set a six month target to construct and present a report. We get an update from Professor Curran, roughly half way through that period, about the work he and his team are doing. Also, we h...

In Tynwald on Tuesday, two separate documents are being presented to the court, loosely covering the topic of poverty: Tynwald's Poverty Committee's own report, and the Council of Ministers' Cold, Hunger and Homelessness Action Plan. Jason Moorhouse from the committee and Minister for Policy and Reform Chris Thomas discuss their findings with Manx Radio's Dollin Mercer.

Some years ago, big promises were made when it came to the film industry. The old adage of 'speculate to accumulate' was banded around by some supporters of heavy investment in media here. Critics argued the proposals lacked some depth. To quote an MHK who would go on to become Treasury Minister, "I am pleading with you to cast off that starry-eyed spell that has been waved over you and start appr...

This week, came what could potentially be some big news for some of the Island's fishing fleet. Specifically, queen scallop fishermen, who are being encouraged to branch out and try to catch some different species. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is inviting queenie catchers to make grant applications towards diversifying, as part of government's 'future fisheries' vision of wh...

Dollin Mercer is joined by the Governor of the Isle of Man Prison, Bob McColm, Minister of Home Affairs Bill Malarkey and Home Affairs Chief Executive Dan Davies to look back on ‘The Best Little Prison in Britain?’ - the ITV series which focussed on the Isle of Man’s only prison. The series was aired in six parts, on Wednesday evenings on ITV1.

In July, Perspective took a look at what's increasingly becoming one of the biggest talking points on our Island. The ongoing refurbishment works along Douglas promenade are estimated to take around two years, and it's thought to be the first major excavation of the capital's highway in 90 years. However, it's estimated the project is already as much as ten weeks behind schedule. Motorists who use...

This week, we're taking another look at the work of Tynwald's Social Affairs Policy Review Committee, after a further public evidence session with a senior figure from the health department. If we rewind back to November last year, the standing committee of Tynwald committed to undertake an inquiry into the topic of suicide on the Isle of Man. The move came as part of its report on mental health h...

This week, we're taking a look back on a crucial oral evidence session which took place on Monday (2 September 2019). If we rewind back to November last year, the Social Affairs Policy Review Committee, a standing committee of Tynwald, committed to undertake an inquiry into the topic of suicide. The move came as part of its report on mental health here. The committee set out to look at: i) The ade...

On #MRPerspective, Dollin Mercer and William King were joined by three figureheads of the trade union movement on the Isle of Man. Live in the studio, we heard from Mick Hewer of Prospect union, and Debbie Halsall of Unite. During the programme, we also heard extracts from an interview with former union head Bernard Moffatt. You can listen to that conversation, in full, here.

Dollin Mercer and William King are joined by three figureheads of the trade union movement on the Isle of Man. Live in the studio, we hear from Mick Hewer of Prospect union, and Debbie Halsall of Unite. We also hear extracts from an interview with former union head Bernard Moffatt.

We hear from students, parents, teachers and officials at the Department of Education, Sport and Culture reflecting on A Level and GCSE results days.

For the past two years in particular, discussions over the potential development of a cruise ship tourism industry have blossomed. Last week, Ellis Brown architects proposed plans for a new deep water cruise berth in Douglas. Earlier this year, Cruise Isle of Man announced a new passenger record for 2019, topping last year's total. Is it time for a fresh debate on cruise tourism on the Island? We...

In March 2018, a panel was formed to review the effectiveness of government's current whistleblowing policy, and any relevant legislation. Whistleblowing is the act of drawing public attention, or the attention of a figure in authority, towards perceived wrongdoing, misconduct, or unethical activity within an organisation. Onchan MHK Julie Edge was appointed to chair this committee, joined by MLCs...

We've seen a summer of success for many sports men and women from across the British Isles, and increased coverage and exposure for many women's sports in particular - which prompted us to take a look at Women in Sport from a Manx perspective. Included in that summer of success, there have been excellent results for many of the people and teams representing the Isle of Man in various disciplines....

We've heard lots over the past few days, weeks and months about Douglas promenade. The ongoing refurbishment works there are estimated to take around two years, and it's thought to be the first major excavation of the capital's highway in 90 years. However, Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer says the project is already something like eight or ten weeks behind schedule. Motorists who use the route...

Year 12 students from five of the Island’s secondary schools took part in the initiative - a mock Tynwald sitting which included question time and two motions. The questions asked focused on a range of topics, including on the refugee crisis, environmental issues and mental health. The two schools which moved motions were Ballakermeen High School and Castle Rushen High School. Not only did student...

The 'flourishing' drug trade, lack of police presence at Manx borders, mental health, the prospective gay pardon and much more is discussed in this police special.