Perspective - Manx Radio

Tynwald is back and what looked like a fairly limited order paper developed into quite a informative sitting. Unleashed from the shackles of an agreed plan Ministers spoke with passion about what needs to change. We also heard from the new MHKs who made very thoughtful and insightful comments on the change they believe we voted for. Find out what the members made of it all on Perspective. Peace and harmony seems to have broken out in this month’s Tynwald love in. If I were a betting man I’d give the new government’s honeymoon period ’til Christmas - hopefully I’m wrong.

On Perspective this week we hear from two new MHKs and one of our new Ministers. We voted for a change so what will that change look like? Will it start off with good intentions and end up with more of the same, or are we about to see a Manx political revolution?

Perspective 11.10.26 - could Laxey reignite its industrial past?

Have we served you with more than your fill of politics over the past few months? Well this week’s Perspective promises to be an almost politics free zone. Career geologist and former Douglas High School pupil Dr Keith Baron returned to the Island a few weeks ago and provided some fascinating insights into the state of global geology. That’s Perspective this Sunday at 12 on Manx Radio with me Phil Gawne. I did say an almost politics free program but we also consider the prospects of exploiting the Islands mineral deposits. Not so much a gold rush, but there may be silver and rare earths in them there hills!

There’s lies, damn lies and statistics, but what do the numbers from our recent election actually tell us? Have we really had a generational shift, or was the result just a further change in gear along a direction of travel that has been bad news for Ministers in particular but MHKs attempting to regain their seats more generally? Find out what the statisticians make of the figures on this week’s Perspective. Have we been too hasty in describing the result as a damning verdict on the Cannan administration? I suspect not, but in context with previous elections some worrying trends are emerging. Particularly for anyone wanting to be an MHK for more than ten years!

Election Day delivered one of the biggest upheavals ever so how will our new MHKs cope? They’ve got plenty of big issues to tackle and if lessons are to be learned from the last administration actions and delivery must happen quickly. The three MHKs who topped the polling across the Island speak on this week's Perspective. Is it reasonable for our next government to rely on the excuse of difficult global circumstances for lack of progress? It’s pretty clear that voters were not convinced by that argument so how can the new MHKs deliver something different. Is this the start of the next ‘worst government we’ve ever had’ or are we about to see something radically different?

St Ninians High School held its third ‘election market place’ last Thursday where St Ninian’s students gave the election candidates a good grilling. So what did the students make of the wannabe MHKs? Will the youth vote turn out in numbers and influence Thursday’s election? What are the hopes and concerns of 16 to 18 year olds? We’ll have answers to all these questions and more on Perspective. Do our politicians really understand the younger electorate? If they do, what will they be delivering in the next five years to ensure the next generation will want to stay in the Isle of Man and make its future one to be proud of?

The Manx National Farmers Union has successfully brought food security to the attention of the Keys candidates so what’s changed in this election to make this so important? What is food security? A reliable food distribution infrastructure or a sustainable, more productive Manx food growing sector? Perhaps it’s both but it would appear the pendulum has swung too far towards reliance on imported food. The farmers give their view on this week’s Perspective. In a food crisis we could just about survive by eating Manx produced beef, lamb and scallops. Certainly food for thought!

Immigration appears to be a hot topic on the election doorstep but what is the concern? With overall population figures only increasing slightly in recent years why is immigration reaching the top of the election issues list? Assuming government retains its hundred thousand population aspiration how do we plan for this? What infrastructure do we need and how do we deliver that when we struggle to maintain the infrastructure we’ve already got? Lots to consider on this week’s Perspective. The Isle of Man has integrated huge amounts of economic migrants over the past six decades so why is it different this time?

Former Treasury Minister and MHK for Ayre Eddie Teare led the charge to fill the blackhole in government finances caused by a £200 million cut in the VAT sharing arrangement with the UK in 2008. In the year that followed the 2016 general election when Mr Teare’s measures were fully effective the deficit had fallen to just under £10 million, but did this cause the economic stagnation that’s plagued the Island for the past decade? The deficit has crept up to more than a £100 million during the Quayle and Cannan administrations but is that sustainable. Is stringent cuts the answer or do we need some bandages - possibly from Manx Care’s generous budget?

Ramsey MHK Alex Allinson is stepping down from the Keys after two terms representing the town. He reflects on why government has failed to deliver over the past five years, tells us why Manx Care is still the best option for delivering health care, and some of the fundamental differences that led to his departure from Council of Ministers. He gives some good advice to candidates and acknowledges he will miss politics. Did the good doctor deliver the right medicine for the Island? Were his political differences with the Chief Minister really the cause of the initial bold aspiration of this government not being delivered?