At the sitting of the House of Keys on 14th June 2022 Dr Alex Allinson, MHK for Ramsey was given leave to introduce a Private Member’s Bill which would “enable adults who are terminally ill to be provided at their request with specified assistance to end their own life”. A public consultation has been launched which seeks your views and opinions on this controversial and very complex matter. Dr Allinson explains his motivation for seeking to introduce the Bill. Should you have the right to decide how and when you die, or is the sanctity of life not something politicians should be interfering with?

There is currently no statutory framework to assist where adults either cannot communicate decisions or are unable to make decisions for themselves, but all that is about to change. Last Tuesday the Capacity Bill 2022 received its final reading in Legislative Council and returns to Keys this week for final approval. So why has it taken so long to introduce this legislation, and what impact will it have? Some of the most difficult decisions we ever have to make affect our loved ones as they approach the end of their lives so will the new Act help or hinder?

The saying goes, “there’s lies, dang lies and statistics” but Agenda this week is speaking to three people who beg to differ. Treasury Minister Alex Allinson and Jonny Platten, Head of Economic Advisory, tell us about the new Isle of Man Government dashboard and why it's important. Also, Kelvin Corlett head of Statistics Isle of Man explains how statistics are gathered and why his organisation is staunchly independent of political interference. 

Phil Gawne challenges Courtenay Heading on his views and opinions surrounding vaccination and Covid.

Tucked away in the December Tynwald business is an apparently modest and unassuming item which seeks to allow far greater access to the Isle of Man’s beneficial ownership register, and yet this is a significant step in removing the secrecy jurisdiction label through which the Isle of Man’s international reputation has been attached for several decades. Treasury Minister Alex Allinson and, long-time critic of the Isle of Man’s financial secrecy, Phil Craine, join Phil Gawne to discuss this weighty topic. The Minister also discusses the impact of the UK financial statement on the Manx economy.

The Clerk of Tynwald’s Office is calling for interested parties to apply for a new role - the Tynwald Auditor General. The estimated budget for the appointment and their associated office is around £400,000 so how can this be justified at a time of financial constraint. Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson has long been an advocate for introducing this role and he explains all on Agenda at 6pm this evening with me Phil Gawne on Manx Radio. Can we afford to spend £400,000 to save at least £1.2m. Indeed, can we afford not to? 

A Wall Street Journal article recently accused Isle of Man firms of helping Russian oligarchs to hide their wealth from sanctions.

In this episode of Agenda, Lewis Foster turns to the company in the centre of the article - Bridgewaters - as he speaks with Managing Director Mark Veale 

The 2022 Farm Conservation Challenge and Chough Awards had dozens of entries and celebrate the strong role farmers play in protecting and encouraging the Isle of Man’s rich biodiversity. Organised by the Isle of Man Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group the awards celebrate our farming community as the guardians of our cherished natural landscape, recognising that they successfully combine commercial farming with conservation initiatives.  The Chough award winners are of course experts in their field and were well chuffed with the award.

Jason Moorhouse, MHK for Arbory, Castletown and Malew finds himself as wholly detached from any government responsibility, leaving him free to grill Ministers on all areas of policy and delivery. His approach has been criticised for being too focussed on local, constituency matters but on Agenda this week he talks about big national topics like housing, cost of living crises and an all-Island rate.  Is there a national politician lurking beneath the surface or is he just seagulls and dog poo - only one way to find out!