Perspective - Manx Radio

DoI Minister Michelle Haywood certainly seem in a hurry to get things done and bring about significant change to our lives. With government’s record for speed being noteworthy primarily for its absence you’d imagine the Minister’s drive and determination might be welcomed as a breath of fresh air?! She’s certainly succeeded in dividing public opinion but is she out of her depth or boldly taking on...

With the sad news of the death of Pat Bridson, one of the radical nationalist politicians who helped develop Mec Vannin in the 1960s and 70s to become a credible political force I took the opportunity to catch up with two of her colleagues, Bernard Moffatt and Allan Bell. Pride in the place you live and a desire to develop Manx solutions to Manx problems has become quite a normal part of political...

What message lies at the heart of the Isle of Man Government? Is it a tax and spend government spending all our hard earned savings, or is it a government that takes a more cautious approach to spending and sees income growth as a product of a growing economy? Government’s Our Island Plan had some bold ambition but is it being delivered? There’s one man who should know the answer to these question...

On first glance June Tynwald’s Order Paper looked to offer little opportunity for political excitement. As it turned out there was plenty to exercise our MHKs, increasingly mindful of the 2026 general election. There were questions about the quality of child care and protection, was political messaging around the TT adequate, should we consider whether things are ethically okay and not just legall...

After a decade away from home, Palestinian journalist and film-maker, Yousef Alhelou travelled back to Gaza to reconnect with the people and places of his childhood. His intention was to make a documentary film, which would reveal the hidden beauties, joys, and treasures of Gaza .  The footage taken during his two months trip would become some of the final records of the cultural, social...

Douglas North MHK John Wannenburgh is approaching the end of his fourth year as a national politician. He’s Chair of the Manx Utilities Authority which unlike its private sector UK counterparts is pretty good at supplying us with water and, with the exception of Peel and Laxey, has a generally good record of disposing the sewage we produce without polluting the environment. John talks to Perspecti...

Fed up with the shabby state of some parts of the Island? Dismayed by the grot and litter you pass daily? Angered by potholes or the decaying nature of our Island’s infrastructure? Well what are you going to do about it? That’s the challenge set by the Destination First Board whose remit is to significantly improve the look of our Island and to motivate us all to get involved in making the Island...

May Tynwald was a little shorter than recent sittings but there was a lot packed in. Despite Tynwald and government talking for years about funding solutions for the mobile and family library the threat of its imminent closure was back on the agenda. Members all agreed that something must be done but nobody seemed willing to take responsibility for solving the problem. There was also discussion on...

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...