Perspective - Manx Radio

Dollin Mercer was joined, live in the studio, by Paul Moulton of Isle of Man TV, Jess Ward of Isle of Man Newspapers and Josh Stokes of ITV Granada Reports: Isle of Man to reflect on what it's been like for the media to 'cover' the Covid-19 pandemic on the Isle of Man.

It was a big day for the Legislative Council on Thursday, as nine candidates were whittled down to four new members of Tynwald's upper chamber. Two were returning members, voted back in to serve another five-year term, and two were new faces. Kerry Sharpe, Bill Henderson, Peter Greenhill and Rob Mercer were the successful nominees, now set to serve until February 2025. In this episode, we learn a little more about the people that got in - and a bit about some of those that didn't. On Monday evening, there was a rare opportunity for the general public to put their questions to the LegCo candidates. Liberal Vannin hosted a Q&A session at the Manx Blind Welfare headquarters in Onchan, which was almost full to capacity. The two-hour discussion, from around 7:30 to 9:30 on Monday evening, was hosted by Liberal Vannin's chair, Michael Josem. During the programme, we hear extracts from that discussion, including some of the candidates' thoughts on some key issues, and we listen in to the moment the nomine

It's been a difficult week for the Isle of Man. A high profile departure has left many of us feeling like we live on an Island more than ever. In this week's episode of Perspective, we take a look back at all the reaction to Flybe going into administration. The news was confirmed, finally, in the early hours of Thursday morning. The airline operated around half of the flights to and from the Isle of Man. Since the news broke, passengers on the Island and elsewhere have been scrambling to rearrange travel plans, with all of the airline's flights cancelled - quite literally, overnight. We hear from some Flybe customers, Manx and UK politicians, TravelWatch, former Flybe employees, a travel agency boss, and much more.

This week on Perspective, we’re taking a look at all things Fairtrade. Sunday (1 March) is the half-way point of Fairtrade Fortnight. Wendy Shimmin and Phil Craine of the One World Centre join Dollin Mercer to talk about what that involves. They also speak about the Isle of Man’s Fairtrade Island status, the recent primary schools Fairtrade Conference, as well as giving a bit of history behind the Fairtrade concept and all that comes with it. Dollin is also joined in the studio by John and Katherine Corkish who used to live in Garstang – the UK's first Fairtrade town. They draw upon experiences of going out to developing countries to see the impact Fairtrade schemes have.

Following Tuesday's budget, Dollin speaks to Treasury Minister Alf Cannan MHK, Debbie Halsall of Unite the Union and Devon Watson of the Fare Free Campaign and Climate Change Coalition to reflect on the 2020 Pink Book.

This week, bosses at the Financial Services Authority were under the spotlight as they gave evidence, in public, to Tynwald's Economic Policy Review Committee. That panel is tasked with scrutinising the work of Cabinet Office, Treasury and the Department for Enterprise, as well as some other organisations - including the FSA. Karen Badgerow and Lillian Boyle – CEO and Chair respectively – spoke about the authority's last year of work to MHKs Chris Robertshaw, Tim Baker and Jason Moorhouse. As a regulator, the FSA is responsible for reducing financial crime in the Isle of Man, among other things. The duo spoke about recent campaigns undertaken, public engagement, complaints guidance, vulnerable client groups, plus, a potential expansion of the Isle of Man Post Office MiCard system into basic banking facilities...

Since the beginning of the year, a village in the south of the Island has been mobilised over the uncertain future of its post office branch. After the sub-postmaster in Ballasalla announced his intention to step down at the end of March, the Isle of Man Post Office Board launched a public consultation about what the future of the branch should be. The plan was to convert the facility into a kiosk - similar to the plans in St John's and Pulrose - instead of the traditional counter service model we associate with post office branches across the Island and elsewhere. Those proposals have been met with resistance, though, from members of the public, service users, plus local MHKs and commissioners. There are concerns about the reduced remit the facility would offer under the plans, with several key services set to disappear. As things stand, a kiosk will be installed in the branch for the next financial year, but with a possible appointment of a 'service partner', who would essentially be tasked with helpin

The idea of an Auditor General on the Isle of Man is not a new one by any means, but it’s a topic that resurfaced this week after a hearing of a Tynwald committee. The Public Accounts Committee took oral evidence in public from Adrian Jenner, Director of Parliamentary Relations in the UK, and Linda Mills, the Parliamentary Relations Manager with the UK’s National Audit Office. The aim of the evidence session, the committee says, was “to increase awareness and understanding of the role of a Supreme Audit Institution.” “This is a function the Isle of Man has made provision for in the Tynwald Auditor General Act, but the legislation is not fully in force.” The panel is made up of the Speaker of the House of Keys, Juan Watterson, MLCs Tim Crookall, David Cretney and Jane-Poole Wilson, plus MHKs Rob Callister and Chris Robertshaw.

This week, an important piece of work was presented to Tynwald. The annual report of the Children's Champion provides careful scrutiny of a range of issues relating to looked after children, children with complex needs and young carers. Tim Baker MHK is currently in the role, having taken it on in May 2018. Few would disagree that the Isle of Man has a difficult history when it comes to looked after children, and children in care. There have been a series of events, both in living memory and before, which taint the Island’s reputation – but, more importantly, had enormous repercussions for those involved. On this week’s episode, we speak to the man who – as one of his many roles in government – is tasked with helping make sure those kinds of circumstances never arise again. We also hear the thoughts of some members of Tynwald in the court this week, as they received the document and all of its findings.

This week, Perspective revisits a topic which, behind all of the political activity of the present day, continues to bubble away in the background. Some years ago, big promises were made when it came to the film industry. 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 appreciating facts: there is no proper due diligence; there is no business plan." Alf Cannan was speaking about the Media Development Fund – which incurred losses of between 26 and 27 million pounds. In October, Perspective documented the first public oral evidence session of a committee, which was tasked with investigating these extensive losses, identifying whether further investigation is needed, and whether there are any changes to governance procedures required as a result of this situation. This week, the committee held its sixth public oral evidence session, and it was the turn of the Treasury Minister, Alf Cannan, and Chie

This week, we're taking another look at a debate an MHK recently described as "probably the most important debate we've had for decades." Talking to the BBC at the annual Illiam Dhone commemoration ceremony at Hango Hill this month, Ralph Peake said Tynwald had the opportunity to "show some real leadership" in tackling climate change. He was speaking as one of the members of a Climate Emergency Consultative Transformation Team, appointed by the Manx Government in July. That team was made up of representatives from government departments, climate change specialists, as well as two politicians - Mr Peake, and Jane Poole-Wilson MLC. It was chaired by an independent expert, Professor James Curran, who was given six months to report back with an action plan for how the Island can play its part in mitigating the effects of global overheating. The findings of Professor Curran’s team were released this week, presented as a report which will be laid before Tynwald at this month's sitting, on Tuesday 21st. In thi

Talking to the BBC at the annual Illiam Dhone commemoration ceremony at Hango Hill on Thursday, 2 January 2020, Ralph Peake MHK said Tynwald had the opportunity to "show some real leadership" in tackling climate change. The topic dominated this year's event, with speeches in English from Devon Watson of the Climate Change Coalition and Fare Free Campaign, followed by the author of the Isle of Man Population Atlas, Paul Craine, who is also the Isle of Man leader of the Climate Reality Project. Mr Peake attended the event, having been one of the members of a Climate Emergency Consultative Transformation Team, appointed by the Manx Government in July. That team was made up of representatives from government departments, climate change specialists, as well as two politicians - Mr Peake, and Jane Poole-Wilson MLC. It was chaired by a so-called independent expert, Professor James Curran, who was given six months to report back with an action plan for how the Island can play its part in mitigating the effects of

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 a feasibility study, about the prospect of resettling Syrian refugees here, following a petition from Ballakermeen students. It was essentially a carbon copy of a debate from November 2018 - when Mrs Caine made her first attempt to set up a three-person committee to look into the pros and cons of accepting 25 refugees to Manx shores. On both occasions, her efforts failed to gain the support of enough of her Tynwald colleagues.

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-professional snooker player and former world number 75 Darryl Hill, who is behind the project, has a grand vision for the venue. He came up to Broadcasting House on Douglas Head to speak to Dollin about the facility itself, his hopes for what it'll look like, his own playing career, and the state of snooker on the Isle of Man.

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 highest regard by his peers at the forefront of scientific advancements in the field. Having worked as a lecturer in Physics in Liverpool, Dr Stowell would later become the Manx Language Officer with the Department of Education on the Island. Here at Manx Radio, he co-presented Sunday morning's Moghrey Jedoonee programme for almost 20 years. Among a long list of accolades, honours and awards, he received the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan Award in 2008 and the Tynwald Honour Medal in 2010 for his work with Manx Gaelic. The final work of a man also described by Culture Vannin as a 'prolific' Manx author was launched yest

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 felt was "a very disappointing sentence," following a well-publicised court case. The next month, the Department of Home Affairs responded, as it began drafting a new bill to address the issue. So that was April 2018 – Tuesday, 26 November will see the Domestic Abuse Bill 2019 reach the consideration of clauses stage, with a raft of alterations proposed by Clare Barber MHK, and some from her Ramsey colleague Dr Alex Allinson. Through this programme, Dollin Mercer looks back at the events and discussions that have got us to where we are now, and looks ahead to Tuesday’s sitting.

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 work forms part of the committee's scrutiny remit, also focusing on issues which affect the Island relating to the administration of justice, legal services and constitutional issues. Jane Poole-Wilson MLC is chair, and she's joined by MHKs Lawrie Hooper and Chris Robertshaw. The trio spoke to Mr Quinn on Monday, in the Legislative Council Chamber.

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 Manx Radio Management Committee. He served one term, in Middle, between 1976 and 1981. On-air, he will be best remembered as the voice of Sunday Opinion and the Mannin Line on Manx Radio for 27 years from 1992. Perhaps fittingly, Andy Wint broke the news on the Mannin Line on Thursday - we hear that moment, as well as a chat with Roger's widow, Gwen, and his namesake Juan Watterson SHK live on the programme. There's also an extended chat with former colleagues of Roger's, Charlie Webster and James Davis, plus Roger's final appearance on radio - a guest appearance on Sarah Hendy’s ‘The Power of Radio’ programme

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 speaks to George Butler from Radiocentre, the industry body for commercial radio in the UK and Chris Sully and Alex Brindley from Manx Radio to learn about the dynamic between podcasting and radio.

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 ourselves of previous discussions about this issue. Back in May, Daphne Caine MHK asked the infrastructure minister a question in Tynwald about the impact of free bus travel on the Island's environment. The idea of free public transport has cropped up on Perspective before, too - Mr Watson argued in favour of the idea on a previous episode, alongside Manx Utilities chairman Dr Alex Allinson, who dismissed it.