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Phil Gawne takes an in-depth look at a variety of aspects of life on the Isle of Man and further afield. Sometimes political, occasionally controversial, but always an appointment to listen.
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What Tynwald lacked in length this week it more than made up for in big announcements and policy changes. The Order Paper soon had the hefty addition of a statement on the Chief Minister’s reshuffle with two Ministers either ‘stepping down’ or being sacked depending on who you listened to. While Alf Cannan’s statement and a cooling in enthusiasm on the living wage grabbed the headlines, homelessness, the Island’s cattle health status and a call for a forensic audit of health were also covered. Is that the popular sound of a screeching u-turn I hear?
Blein ny Gaelgey is a year-long, Island-wide celebration of the Manx language. The Year’s website claims that it’s for everybody – Manx speakers, people who don’t know any Manx yet, people who call the Isle of Man home, and visitors to these shores and it will be fun and accessible, and provide ways to engage for everyone! On Perspective this week we hear from two of those hoping we’ll all be dusting down our Moghrey Mies and Fastyr Mies and making Blein ny Gaelgey a great occasion for our Manx Language. If you’re a little cynical about the language then this week’s show might well soften even the hardest of hearts.
Jane Kelly is the Emergency Planning Officer for the Isle of Man Government and leads the Civil Defence team. We’ve probably all relied on her team’s expertise during storm and weather events, and though we might not know it we are all a lot safer because of the plans she and her team have created for the unlikely but possible emergency events we could face. Find out more about her work on Perspective. Are we becoming too reliant on government to solve all our problems and could we perhaps do a bit more to help our selves?
On Perspective this week we hear from local historian John Manley about his research into the history of Ballamona Hospital. Prior to Ballamona life in the Isle of Man for people with mental illness was pretty bleak so the opening of a dedicated hospital to provide care was a major step forward. The hospital closed in the 1990s as it was deemed to be better to support people in the community.
It’s probably not unreasonable to say that over the past year Perspective has delivered a fair proportion of political angst and reflected the increasing polarisation of political debate. As it’s Christmas and we reflect on Christian messages of hope and peace I thought for the last Perspective of 2025 we should give you a more positive and encouraging program. Michael Manning, the eighth Manx Bard has recently published a collection of his poetry titled Graih. Michael Manning want’s to sing some new songs of hope and positivity. Will anyone listen? Let’s hope so.
And it came to pass that there came unto Manx Radio’s studio three wise men, one formerly from Douglas East, bringing with them gifts of gall, frank insights and mirth. On Perspective we take an irreverent look back over 2025 - the good, the bad and the ugly …. and that’s just the guests. Is instability the new political norm and if so what is that doing the frayed nerves of citizens here and across the world? With the hospitality sector struggling to make ends meet is it any wonder that there was no room in the inn! Nollick Ghennal Erriu!
December Tynwald extended into a third day with members keen to milk every minute of debating time as we enter election year. Questions strayed into a lively debate on the state of the Manx economy, with Ministers doing their best to look for positives while questioners being a little less optimistic. There was also a question on support for first time buyers with several members trying to pin the blame for the very slow pace of change on either their predecessors or successors. Plenty of stars rising in the East in this week’s Tynwald.
You may have noticed that local authorities have been sharpening their pitchforks and gathering fiery brands as they attempt to oppose a new piece of law which would give government power to impose functions and standards on them. Government’s position appears to be that local Commissioners and Councillors shouldn’t be able to shirk their statutory responsibilities and Legislative Council has been drafted in to try to broker the peace. Also, a Tynwald committee is gently nudging government to properly register all the land it owns. Does government know what it owns? Pitchforks at dawn on a misty field that may or may not belong to government. A Perspective not to be missed.
With Leigh Morris vacating his leadership role in the Manx Wildlife Trust earlier this year Graham Makepeace-Warne took over as CEO. He tells Perspective why the Isle of Man needs a Wildlife Trust and what his organisation supports. He explains why wildlife needs our help and we enjoy some of the benefits that being out in the wild in the winter time can have for our health and well being. Species and habitat destruction has been incredibly prolific over the passed half century or so with over 70% of the world’s wildlife lost. It seem that talking about the Birds and the Bees has never been more necessary!
What some thought would be a quick and relatively pain free Tynwald sitting turned into a two-and-a-half day marathon which saw all manner of unexpected and shock votes.Castle Rushen High School, MONEYVAL, disincentives to maintain empty properties and MiCard are just a few of the biggest talking points.Christian Jones goes through them in a bit more detail in Perspective.
In October Tynwald members agreed to a slightly watered down proposal to tie the minimum wage to the living wage. This led to the Local Economy Forum holding a lively meeting which, while highly critical of government and Tynwald’s decision, suggested a change to tax allowances and credits which would see the lowest paid taking home slightly more money and government and the private sector sharing the burden. Lawrie Hooper spoke against the Tynwald compromise and Chris Robertshaw led the private sector charge against. They talk to Perspective. A lively exchange to whet your appetite for Sunday dinner with a surprising outcome for pudding.
Earlier this week the Year of the Manx Language, Blein ny Gaelgey was officially launched at the start of the Cooish Manx language festival. The year has been organised by Jeabin, the Manx language network and there will be loads of events during the year to celebrate the Manx language. The year is primarily supported through existing budgets and a significant amount of voluntary effort, so why does government and the various Manx language agencies, groups and speakers think the language is so important? For a language that appeared to be on it’s last legs in the 1960s and 70s it’s certainly packing a punch now.
Perspective 2.11.25 - Isle of Man Chamber of CommerceThe Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce represents many Manx businesses and has been pretty vocal of late in expressing concerns over the minimum wage increase. It has at times been accused of being too influential over government but is that really the case? What do we need to change to drive economic growth, how can the Island’s housing problems be solved and what impact will artificial intelligence have on the Manx work place? And why is the oft discussed MoneyVal inspection so important? The Chamber’s pot seems to be overflowing with ideas but is government taking notice?
October Tynwald highlights this week. Questions pondered how people will cope when the MiCard system is scrapped and whether the Manx economy is in recession. A new Child First Policy was received by Tynwald and there was unanimous support for a call to introduce a comprehensive program of neurodiversity training in Manx schools.
Tynwald’s Environment and Infrastructure Committee held an evidence session with officers from the MUA last week and there were several revelations which should be of interest to us all. A thousand Manx households are contributing 7 megawatts of renewable energy to the Manx grid and the MUA is working closely with private sector renewable energy projects in the south and north of the Island. So what does this mean for future energy production for the Isle of Man? Has government been too focussed on renewable energy production and not clear enough in helping the MUA understand future energy usage. The vital sparks at the MUA reveal all.
Liberal Vannin Party leader and former health minister Lawrie Hooper leads a somewhat lonely life as the only Liberal Vannin member in Tynwald. As a party of one he recognises his influence is limited but feels passionately that party politics is the best way to ensure our politicians are held accountable for their actions. Could party politics work for us? I guess Lawrie will need to lead more than just himself to demonstrate that to us.
The fourth and final Isle of Man Government Conference of the Cannan administration brought together ministers, senior officials and business leaders to discuss some of the Island's biggest challenges.We get the lowdown from the ministers about what their intentions are for the next 12 months, and reaction to some of those announcements.
Day One of the Isle of Man Government conference while light on major policy announcements and big reveals was very engaging and well put together. Government sees the conference as a great opportunity to engage with the public and there were plenty of opportunities to do that. Our government, like governments around the world, faces significant economic and demographic challenges but is our government ready to meet these challenges? Is real progress being made or is it just empty promises of jam tomorrow?
There’s a consultation happening now on a new strategic plan which, according to Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford, will help build great communities, protect our environment, and promote sustainable development. The new strategic plan will probably be in place until 2041 and will cement the core planning policies which will affect our lives and the appearance of the Island in which we live. If you care about the future of our Island this is probably the most important consultation you’ll ever fill in. Whatever you think of our government this is a once in a generation opportunity to have your say on this vital plan.
Former Douglas East MHK Chris Robertshaw tried and by his own admission failed to bring about the reforms he believes are essential to allow the public to have greater confidence in government and to allow government to actually succeed. He wants us to have a greater say on the major policy proposals government brings forward, he believes government should act as a unified body rather than as separate ’siloed’ departments, and he wants an independent political think tank to be formed to help generate policy innovation across government. He explains all on this week’s Perspective. There’s no doubting his passion but is this just more hot air from Mr Robertshaw?
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