The Area Plan for the North and West was defeated by three votes in last week’s Tynwald sitting and while it remains possible that it could scrape through in the November sitting it will require all of Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford’s political guile to make that happen. So why has it failed? On Agenda this week Chris Thomas and Paul Craine explain what their concerns are and even the Treasury Minister acknowledges weaknesses in the process. With no plan B, defeat of the plan means the north and west are relying on plans now several decades old. Is Tynwald playing high stakes poker with our planning system?

Would party politics work in the Isle of Man? Lord Finkelstein thinks that on the one hand it might and yet on the other hand it might be no better than what we’ve got! Mitch Sorbie on the other hand seems keen to establish his new party Isle of Man First which, at first glance would substantially reduce government income while being rather vague on how expenditure reduction would be delivered. Mr Sorbie suggests “where there’s a will there’s a way” while Lord Finkelstein notes the only thing the public hates more than a politician is a politician who’s rubbish at politics.

Has the all encompassing enthusiasm and bold ambition of the early years of Alf Cannan’s administration finally been smothered by the inhospitable atmosphere of consensus politics? Is our current system capable of delivering a bold and ambitious vision for the Island? And how do we assess our MHKs’ ability when manifestos appear light on policy commitments? Agenda’s back after its six week summer recess and Alistair Ramsay helps us answer these questions. Yes the political season reopens soon so expect the next 12 months to be a rocky ride!

Junior Tynwald included some searching questions about 20mph zones, health spending and government spending on water and electricity infrastructure. On Agenda we’ll hear these questions and those we’ve not yet squeezed in to previous programs. We also hear from Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson - a former Junior Tynwald member on the importance of this annual sitting and what Tynwald members get up to when sittings stop for the summer recess. Keys members do like to be beside the seaside but they’ve got plenty of hefty committee reports as their holiday reading.

Junior Tynwald sat last month and as we heard on last week’s Agenda it was a very thoughtful and well considered sitting. On Agenda this week we hear the debate on a motion which considered what can be done to counter the dangers of social media. We also hear from some of students who took part and one of their teachers. It’s been a real privilege to cover Junior Tynwald and good to know that I’ve got competition with Olivia and Ellie from QE2 keen to take on my job covering senior Tynwald. 

Junior Tynwald sat last month and a very interesting, thoughtful and at times provocative sitting it was too. A motion which considered whether wind turbines should form an essential part of the Island’s future energy supply was amended by students who expressed concern that the potential damage to biodiversity and habits should be considered alongside any benefits of using this renewable energy source.  Good to know that a new generation of potential politicians clearly have a passion for Manx politics.

Still catching up on July Tynwald highlights we’ve got questions from Jason Moorhouse, an answer from John Wannenburgh on the delays in getting a planning application submitted for the Earystane windfarm. Also Rob Callister and Michelle Haywood consider how Tynwald members should pay for their parking, agreeing that they should but disagreeing on how the recent request for payment missed out senior civil servants. A parking storm in a teacup and a windfarm answer that appears to be blowin’ in the wind.

A near eight year campaign by a mum whose son tragically lost his life concluded in last week’s Tynwald when a law that makes it easier for people to donate their organs was brought into force. Campaigner Diane Taylor and former MHK Martyn Perkins tell of their pride in finally seeing this through. We also hear Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson’s view on the Health overspend and minimum wage and Health Minister Claire Christian explains what her department and Manx Care are doing to turn around the Island’s health finances

There’s a saying that if you want a job doing ask a busy man. Well, David Ashford seems to be the man to ask as he’s taking the Safeguarding (Amendment) Bill 2025 through Keys, is taking four pieces of legislation through Tynwald relating to the Human Tissue and Organ Donation Act 2021, he’s got the Cabinet Office Department Plan to move as well as the Council of Ministers Update Report on Inward Migration. So what does all that mean in relation to our lives. Is government so busy being busy that it hasn’t got time to get anything done?

Chris Thomas has been a regular thorn in government’s side since the Chief Minister asked him to vacate his office. In recent months he’s been championing the cause of local government and he has an interesting take on the current leadership in the Isle of Man Government. Expect an interesting , wide ranging discussion and if you listen very carefully you might just spot the bombshells.