Continuing on my recent attempt to convince you that politics is quite exciting on tonight’s Agenda we have a quashed mini-revolt in LegCo, when is a rates Bill not a rates Bill and one of the best speeches in June Tynwald. Pharmacists are concerned about changes being proposed in the National Health Service Reform Bill 2026 but attempts by one MLC to support their cause did not convince a majority in Legislative Council. The Treasury Minister has withdrawn the Rates Bill deciding its better to leave it until after the election, and there’s a cracking speech on horse trams. Politics? … Boring? … Never!

Despite neither Tynwald nor the public knowing why Royal Assent wasn’t granted amendments were moved which according to the Attorney General were all that’s needed to get the greenlight from the UK. We hear from mover of the Bill Alex Allinson and some of its critics on this week’s Agenda. There is little doubt that this legislation has been controversial and there remains some doubt about whether the safeguards in the Bill are strong enough, but two or three people have seen the Home Office advice on why royal assent hasn’t been granted and one of those, the attorney general, thinks the amendments will do the trick. Are you reassured?

A Rushen hustings meeting will be held this Thursday evening to give people an opportunity to raise in a public forum the issues they think should be a priority for the next government. In what is a fairly novel approach this meeting is not called by candidates and doesn’t invite candidates to share their views with the public, but instead it invites the public to share their views on what really matters to them. This should be a refreshing change to the tried and tested formula of previous hustings, but will we learn anything new from the process. I certainly hope so!

Renewable energy firm IPV Flexgen will be hosting a public consultation at Andreas Parish Hall on Wednesday between 10.00am and 7.00pm to share updated proposals for the redevelopment of Andreas Airfield. This farmer led project includes agricultural growing units, an Anaerobic Digestor plant, ground mounted solar PV and battery storage to provide the site with electricity and heat. Could this project develop into a sustainable energy scheme that most people can get behind? IPV Flexgen claims to be paving the way for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for farming. Let’s hope they’re right.

Last month the Positive Action Group held a meeting to discuss our failing policies on dealing with drugs. They invited speakers from the Transform Drug Policy Foundation and Anyone’s Child and I spoke to them for this evening’s Agenda. Our drugs enforcement regime has the same effect as pruning a bush according to our speakers, merely encouraging growth in other areas, so is it time for a radical rethink? Criminalising drug use appears to be doing little to discourage use of recreational drugs so should the Isle of Man consider a more radical approach which could save lives?

In April’s Tynwald sitting the Health Minister moved a General Debate on the Mandate to Manx Care and Manx Care Operating Plan. With the recently anounced resignation of Manx Care’s Chief Executive Teresa Cope, I thought it was timely to listen to highlights from the debate. Other than the Minister and Chief Minister just two MHKs took part in the debate. We hear their contributions and a gentle spat between two MLCs who also spoke on this week’s Agenda. Is health spending really under control or is Tynwald just kicking that can of worms down the road?

Manx Gaelic and the state: opportunities and challenges was the title of a talk delivered last week by Dr Christopher Lewin, from the University of Edinburgh. As this is Blein ny Gaelgey - Year of the Manx Language it seems a timely opportunity to take stock of the Isle of Man’s achivements in reviving our native language over the past four decades. The talk considered what further steps could be taken to consolidate the position of Manx during the course of the next Tynwald. To find out more listen in to this week’s Agenda. Does Tynwald need to get its Act together on support for the Manx language?

Tynwald debated a couple of items about tourism last week. The Enterprise Minister brought a report to Tynwald on the possibility of introducing a tourism after being asked to do so by Tynwald. The report was received though not without some criticism from Onchan MHK Rob Callister. There was then a motion from Manx National Heritage on the sale of the old Castletown police station with the cash strapped heritage organisation unable to find a sustainable long term use for the building. Hear the conflicting views on these items on this week's Agenda. MNH clearly needs the money but would a tourism levy work for Manx tourism?

About a month ago Paul Craine told Agenda about the quite stark findings of his second IoM population atlas. The statistics showing a significantly aging population were bad enough in Mr Craine’s first population atlas but the latest version tells an increasingly concerning tale. So what’s to be done? Find out on this week’s Agenda. Have we been too focussed on policies to keep growing the economy and the public services we need and enjoy? Should we instead be developing policy that leads to a happier, more contented society that’s not forever chasing its tail. Anyone out there bold enough to have a dream?!

The Public Accounts Committee heard from the Treasury Minister and some of his officers last week. During a lengthy session topics included the structural deficit in the government’s budget, the sustainability of ever increasing health spending, government pay and the triple lock pension guarantee. Listen to some of the highlights of that session on this week’s Agenda. The Treasury Minister was talking a tough talk on getting public finances but will we see the talk turn into real action?