Perspective - Manx Radio

Some weighty items on the January Tynwald Order Paper including the highways charter, swimming pools, Department of Infrastructure’s plan, Our Island Plan, and the Economic Strategy. On Perspective this week I’m joined by political rottweiler Claire Christian MHK, deep thinking Minister Chris Thomas, and Arbory Commissioner and Southern Pool member Kirrie Jenkins. Is the government’s primary focus to churn out endless reports or will we start seeing real and meaningful change. With pools on the agenda we’ll certainly be aiming for a big splash!  

With our health services really struggling at the moment it may be time to learn some lessons from the past. On Perspective this week we hear from representatives of the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust about its work over the near 135 years since it was established. I imagine the Health Minister would be delighted if a wealthy philanthropist offered to build new facilities and pay for their running costs. Is it time to embrace the past and recognise public funds are no longer enough to pay for our health services?   

On Perspective this week we have some Christmas reflections from President of Tynwald Laurence Skelly, Bishop Peter and Chief Minister Alf Cannan. We also hear some of their favourite Christmas music.

This year more than ever there will be many people relying on charitable support as we all face higher bills and financial uncertainty. Perspective this week reflects on the cost of living help day held recently in Castletown, the very generous charitable giving of the Dorricott family and their company AFD Software and the vital work berformed by ioM Foodbank. If you do have more than you need as we approach Christmas will you be giving something to help those struggling to feed their families or heat their homes.  

HM Brig of War Racehorse, was wrecked at Langness on the 14th December 1822 with the loss of 9 men. 3 were Castletown men who bravely went out to rescue the crew, and a further 6 were crew from the ship. Some 89 ships personnel survived the wreck. On Perspective this week we hear all about this tragic event and its commemoration.  Sir William Hilary witnessed the rescue and the tragedy is credited for the resulting creation by Hilary of an Isle of Man lifeboat service, which later became the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.   

It’s fair to say that the Manx fishing industry has had its ups and downs and certainly has been struggling in recent years. There does appear to be calmer weather ahead for Manx fishermen though with fish stocks improving, good scientific knowledge and advice now available and renewed political interest in the value and opportunities Manx fisheries offer. Can we expect kipper queenie wars with our neighbours or is the new collaborative inclusive approach to fisheries management likely to land bigger portions on Manx plates?    

At the December sitting of Tynwald Enterprise Minister Lawrie Hooper will be looking for support for a new multi-million pound Island Infrastructure Scheme, which is designed to stimulate and accelerate the development of privately owned and unoccupied brownfield sites. Ministerial promises relating to brownfield sites have come and gone almost as frequently as the tide on Douglas shore, so why is this Council of Ministers so sure it will deliver where so many governments have failed in the past. 

Thomas the Tank Engine was inspired by our Manx railways, but is Thomas about to lose his friends? The Fat Controller DoI Minister, Chris Thomas, and naughty trucks Daphne Caine and Charles Guard consider a possible move to allow a charitable body to run the heritage railways as well as discussing the “will they won’t they” question on reinstating the horse trams. Hopefully we’ll also find time to review some of the weighty topics discussed in Tynwald this week. So, will Chris Thomas get the better of the naughty trucks or will he be derailed?

Stu Peters MHK joins us this week to talk about his new roles in highways and the post office, but we also discuss Rob Callister’s shock sacking announced on 10th November, and have look at the November Tynwald Order Paper. Stu certainly appears to be warming to his new role but has he become part of the club, or is it possible to effectively challenge and hold government to account without being sharp and aggressive?  

For energy security & economic reasons, as well as climate commitments, there is a growing expectation of a relatively rapid transition away from traditional forms of power on the Isle of Man. Last week the Isle of Man’s Energy & Sustainability Centre (ESC) brought together practitioners from Denmark, Faroes and other islands who have developed strategies to achieve 100% renewable energy as early as 2030. Relatively cheap energy and stable prices, a cleaner and protective environment and less dependency on rogue states - sounds too good to be true!

Health Minister Rob Callister talks with Phil Gawne about his role and the challenges he and the department face

Everyone thinks planning is out of date and needs root and branch reform. Ask people to give examples of what’s wrong and what specifically needs to change, and many revert to rather vague recollections but little by way of detail. With government now looking to streamline the planning system and the much-publicised rejection of an application by Kell Properties on the old Newson’s site Perspective talks to architectural historian Peter Kelly, Planning Chair David Ashford MHK and Kell Properties representative Michael Josem. Is there a happy medium between pickling everything in aspic and a profit first developers charter?

There are six items in Tynwald this week relating to Climate Change. Overall emissions to be reduced by at least 35% by 2030 and reduced by at least 45% by 2035. There’s a ban on microbeads and single use plastic, including plates, bags, straws, stirrers, cutlery, and cups; and a there’s a clear plan and road map for us to become carbon neutral by 2050. There are benefits to all this too including better insulated buildings which are cheaper to keep warm, reducing energy bills and fuel poverty, reduced flood risk, cleaner water and air. Sounds like a good place to be but are you convinced it’s worth the effort?

A blast from the past on Agenda this week with Liberal Vannin founder and spokesperson Peter Karran who has raised a number of topical items in recent months. Peter calls for changes to the IoM Pension supplement, broadening the 5% VAT rate, and raises concerns over human rights.   

I’m sure Bernard Moffatt wouldn’t mind me saying that he’s seen many iterations of government and Tynwald come and go. He’s still a regular contributor to political debate on social media and continues as Assistant General Secretary of the Celtic League. With the Cannan administration about to embark on some fairly radical changes Bernard gives his seasoned view on population growth, the political interface with the civil service, social media’s influence on political debate, and much more. While he styles himself as the cuddly old grandad of Manx politics watch out for his false teeth - they can still inflict a nasty bite.

The inaugural Isle of Man government policy conference gave a fascinating insight into government’s thinking and its draft economic strategy. This week Perspective focuses on day two of the conference in which we hear about housing, brown field development, broadening government’s tax base, and how to expand the Manx economy. Yes, just when you though it was safe to go back in the political water Isle of Man Government Conference day two - the sequel!

Government’s Draft Economic Strategy envisages building a strong, sustainable and diverse economy but what does all that mean in reality? Well, 15 thousand new residents to fill  5 thousand new jobs, delivering an extra 200 million pounds for our stretched public services. Where will these new people live, what will attract them to come here and does government have a clear plan? All this and was discussed in government’s first ever policy conference and Perspective focuses on day one of the conference. 

The Winkle Pickers exhibition charts the story of the Laboratory from the opening of the original buildings, the move in 1902 to its well-known site on the south-west of Port Erin Bay, through to its closure in 2006. Perspective hears from Hugh Davidson of the Rushen Heritage Trust and Port Erin Marine Laboratory former staff and alumni, Peter Duncan, Andy Brand, and Jeremy Paul.  

Perspective 11.9.22 - reflection on passing of the Lord of Mann. Various guest reflect on the Queen's passing, the new King and our constitutional position.

With food prices sky rocketing and lengthy supply chains becoming much less secure Perspective looks at a new food production system which could provide at least some of the answers. Regenerative agriculture combines centuries old farming practice with modern science to allow farmers to produce food more sustainably and enhance the island’s biodiversity. We also look at an award for farmers who actively support biodiversity on their land.