Perspective - Manx Radio

Phil Talks to MNH, Biosphere IoM, Manx Wildlife Trust and Friends of the Neb about Manx Wildlife Week

Tim Glover tells us about his motion to ban banks from charging charities for their accounts. Tim also assesses the April Tynwald Order paper as well as telling us of his concerns over lack of progress with the Airport Technology Gateway.

Alastair Ramsey talks about secret Tynwald briefings, the need for challenging journalists and considers the April 22 Tynwald Order Paper. Then Education Minister Julie Edge explains her department's challenges including new schools and swimming pools.

With the forthcoming closure of Ramsey Bakery, Phil takes a look at the future of the Island's bread supply.

In a brand new series of Perspective, Phil Gawne is joined by Brendan O'Friel and John Pennington from the soon to be disbanded Travelwatch, along with Enterprise Minister Dr Alex Allinson. In this edition, travel on and off - and around the Island - are under the spotlight.

Perspective has largely been a permanent fixture on Manx Radio since 10 February 2019. With the exception of a break from the middle of March this year, it’s been broadcast in the old Sunday Opinion slot from midday until one every Sunday. After almost 21 months, Dollin Mercer reflects on some highlights over more than 70 episodes. We hear extracts from programmes about: cannabis laws, integrated care, 'pub politics', the language learning decline, the chief constable's view on Manx policing, experiences of former policemen, women of sport in Mann, cruise tourism, 'traversing Ellan Vannin', and Chris Killip...

The men at the forefront of the Island's farming and food production sectors were under the spotlight at a Tynwald committee hearing last week. DEFA Minister Geoffrey Boot and his department’s CEO, Richard Lole, outlined what they’re doing to try and help, protect, and regulate some of the Island’s oldest industries in the wake of massive external pressures and change. Of course – Brexit and Covid-19 were inevitable talking points. The Environment and Infrastructure Policy Review Committee is made up of Rob Mercer MLC, plus MHKs Clare Barber and its chair, Chris Robertshaw.

This week, world-renowned photographer Chris Killip passed away aged 74. Born and raised on the Isle of Man, Killip has been hailed as being among the influential generation of British documentary photographers of the 1970s. He also lectured at Harvard University as Professor of Visual and Environmental Studies, from 1991-2017. In this programme, we hear some tributes to him, including from his brother. We also listen back to a radio appearance from 8 May 2016, where he appeared on 'Sunday Opinion' with the late Roger Watterson after the launch of an exhibition of Killip's work at the Manx Museum - 'Isle of Man Revisited'. CHRIS KILLIP BIOGRAPHY Born in Douglas in the Isle of Man in 1946, he left school at age 16 and joined the only four star hotel on the Island as a trainee hotel manager. In June 1964 he decided to pursue photography full-time and became a beach photographer in order to earn enough money to leave the Isle of Man. In October 1964 he was hired as an assistant to the leading London adver

6:16 - Yvonne Cresswell, Social History Curator at Manx National Heritage 24:39 - Anthony Bernbaum, the Peartree Collection - London 30:42 - Chris Hobdell and Mary Hobdell, The Archibald Knox Forum There are plans gathering pace for an ambitious, multi-faceted, world-leading celebration of the life and work of Archibald Knox on the Isle of Man. A timeless talent and a national treasure, the versatile creative from Cronkbourne village in Braddan remains 'totally undervalued', according to the forum set up in his name. In this episode of Perspective, we hear all about the man himself - perhaps best known as an Art Nouveau Artist and Designer for Liberty and Co. in London - but so much more than that. We hear about proposals by the Archibald Knox Forum for a project in four or five years’ time, to a scale never seen before. We hear from Yvonne Cresswell, Curator of Social History at Manx National Heritage. We also hear from Anthony Bernbaum of the Peartree Collection, a director of the former Archibald Kno

1:36 - Roger Tomlinson's introduction, from the Positive Action Group 7:55 - Douglas East MHK Chris Robertshaw begins his speech 59:00 - Roger Tomlinson hosts the audience Q&A session "Towards a Government Which Serves the People." That was the title, as Chris Robertshaw MHK gave a public talk at a meeting of the Positive Action Group this week, twelve months before a general election in which he does not plan to stand again. He looked at what structural changes he felt must be made, in order for government to be 'more responsive and agile' in a 'rapidly changing world'. He said political will is what's stopping positive progress, and that wholesale reform of government would require a change of chief minister. In this programme, we hear what Mr Robertshaw had to say - in his speech - in full. There was also a question and answer session afterwards.

What does the Attorney General do? Who is he accountable to? How is his work scrutinised? Should his role be split? Or the responsibilities reallocated? And could we soon see a Minister of Justice on the Isle of Man? These are all themes that were discussed in a public oral evidence session of a Tynwald committee this week. The current Attorney General - Mr John Quinn QC - appeared before the Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Justice Committee. That's made up of Jane Poole-Wilson MLC, who is chair, plus MHKs Lawrie Hooper and Chris Robertshaw, and the Clerk of Tynwald, Roger Phillips. The panel last met with the Attorney General in November last year, to discuss the role, the workload, and what it could look like in the future. This time round, Mrs Poole-Wilson wanted to start with the matter of scrutiny of the role of Attorney General here. And specifically, how far his personal work or personal advice ought to be scrutinised.

With students beginning to depart Manx shores to resume, or begin their studies at university, how are they feeling? Dollin Mercer is joined live in the studio by Education Minister Dr Alex Allinson, Cat Woolley of the Manx Students' Union, and special guest producer William King. Throughout the programme, we hear from three students with contrasting experiences already - Elliott Callow, Jacob Halstein and Fraser Rowe. We also hear a few words from Professor Julia Buckingham CBE, who is the President of Universities UK - a group which represents all of the universities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

A Tynwald committee has set out to gather evidence about how the Island's tourism sector might look - or could look - in the future. Spearheaded by former hotelier Chris Robertshaw MHK, it's looking to bring a report to the November sitting of Tynwald, which will lead to a general debate about how the industry should proceed in years to come. His committee has been speaking to those at the forefront of the industry this week. Alongside fellow Tynwald members Jason Moorhouse and Kerry Sharpe, Mr Robertshaw interviewed the leaders of the Department for Enterprise, and also a consultant employed by government to investigate the current health of the sector. Andrew Keeling is from Hotel Solutions, a hotel development consultancy. He's produced a report, called 'Isle of Man Accommodation Futures', compiling evidence over several years. Mr Keeling believes the Isle of Man needs to 'get ahead of the competition' by investing in improved tourist accommodation. The Island's rival destinations, like Jersey and G

At the July sitting of Tynwald, Policy and Reform Minister Ray Harmer promised to have the terms of a new regulatory agreement with Manx Gas ready by the time politicians come back from their summer break. The previous agreement expired at the beginning of this year. So how did we get here? What will we see in October? And above all, what does all of this mean for gas customers on the Isle of Man? Dollin Mercer was joined live in the studio by three people with an active interest in this saga. Barry Murphy has led a public campaign for a better deal for gas consumers on the Isle of Man. He's been the lynchpin of the vocal, and visible demonstrations over a number of years now, and he's also behind the lobby forum 'IOM GAS CUSTOMERS WORKING GROUP' on Facebook. Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas is the former Policy and Reform Minister. He oversaw government's negotiations with the organisation until he was dismissed from the Council of Ministers in May. Mr Thomas' successor Ray Harmer was invited, but ha

On the programme this week, Dollin Mercer was joined in the studio by the Isle of Man's two newest members of the House of Keys. Voters in Douglas South headed to the polling stations on Thursday, to elect not one, but two new representatives for the constituency. Polls opened at eight o'clock in the morning for a unique by-election which was called following the passing of Bill Malarkey in February and the resignation of Kate Costain. There were ten candidates for those two spots - eight independents, one from Liberal Vannin and one from the Isle of Man Green Party. Turnout was around 37%, with 1,789 votes cast. Topping the polls, with 930 votes, was local businesswoman Claire Christian. Joining her in Tynwald will be former pilot Paul Quine, who gathered the support of 469 constituents.

On the programme this week, we listen back to coverage of the ‘major incident’ in the village last October. “It’s not going to be swept under the carpet. We will be tackling this head on to make sure that a) it doesn’t happen again and b) lessons are learnt” - Chief Minister Howard Quayle. But have lessons been learnt? Overnight on Wednesday, 12 August and Thursday 13, some residents in the Glen Road area were hit by more damage, following a heavy downpour which saw more than 40mm of rainfall in under two hours. It came in the same week work got underway on replacing a culvert section in the river there, to try and prevent water from building up and overflowing. One listener said: "there should be a public enquiry into the running of the Department of Infrastructure. The people making decisions at the top are untouchable, and costing the tax payer millions in mismanagement."

For an island of less than 600 square kilometres, getting from A to B is a regular source of frustration for many. But what are politicians doing to change how we travel? And especially in a post-lockdown world, what could be done differently? Or should be done differently, for that matter? Dollin Mercer is joined in the studio by Infrastructure Minister Tim Baker and Middle MHK Bill Shimmins to talk about how we get around. The topics covered include active travel, public transport, heritage railways and driving. Some comments from listeners: "We commute to Douglas via the steam railway which is the same travelling time as the bus and much more pleasant - no parking problems or cost. Thank goodness for the Victorians. Where would the island be today?" "Mr Shimmins is a fanatical cyclist. Future generations will say how short-sighted not to prepare the railway tracks for future rail use." "Things would have been different had we not had the incredible summer this year." "Something needs to be done wi

This week, it was announced the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh is 'going mainstream'. From September, it’ll be a ‘fully maintained’ government school, for the first time in its 19-year history. In this programme, we hear all about the truly unique place of learning – its past, and its future. Dollin Mercer speaks to Education Minister Dr Alex Allinson about the school's transition. But first, he's joined in the studio by two people who have been instrumental in the life of the school to date. Annie Kissack has been a teacher at the Bunscoill since the beginning. Phil Gawne is the Finance Director at Mooinjer Veggey – the charity which runs the school.

In the July sitting, Tynwald failed to agree on a move to change the speed limit policy on the Island’s roads. Politicians weren’t discussing a national speed limit on this occasion, though, but specifically what the maximum should be on particular types of roadway. The topic will return to parliament in October. We then heard a motorist was recorded going through St Mark’s at 90mph – three times the limit there. So what should the speed limit be? What roads should it apply to? How do we enforce it? What difference does it make? And above all... how do we improve road safety? Dollin Mercer sifts through the arguments – on both sides of the debate.

It's been a big week for the Isle of Man, as Treasury Minister Alf Cannan told us how he thinks the Island is faring in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The July interim budget update paints a picture of our national, financial health. Up to £100-million-worth of public money is going to be taken from reserves to help the Manx economy bounce back. Dollin Mercer was joined in the studio by two chartered accountants - two auditors - from the House of Keys: Mr Speaker, Juan Watterson, and Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper, to get their assessment of the week that was.