On Perspective this week MHKs Joney Faragher and Daphne Caine ponder the slow pace with which successive governments deliver meaningful change to our lives. Remember the housing crisis on which budding MHKs cut their teeth at the last election? Has there been any meaningful progress or is it warm words and jam tomorrow? And what about the Climate crisis? Is the Climate Change Transformation Board set up to fail? Just another talking shop? Or an opportunity for “virtue signalling”? Is government all talk and no action?

On 29th May 1940 the Isle of Man Steam Packet vessel Mona’s Queen 3 was sunk by an enemy mine while attempting a second evacuation of soldiers from Dunkirk. Eighty three years later the story of the vessel and her crew is still remembered in Port St Mary and on Perspective this week we find out why. Why was the heroic endeavour of so many Manxmen not suitably recognised at the time? What drove the Steam Packet crews to such incredible bravery? This incredibly heroic but tragic story is certainly worth listening to.

Earlier this week Beach Buddies organised a Southern 100 course clean up with a team of volunteers led by charity founder Bill Dale. Beach Buddies was established seventeen years ago and has certainly captured Manx and indeed global attention with its important work. Why do we need charities like Beach Buddies, and perhaps answering that question why do so many people choose the leave litter around our beautiful Island? We’ve also got some top tips from one of the volunteers on the best places to watch the races as well as a Southern 100 history lesson.

Now that legal matters surrounding the Dr Ranson tribunal are drawing to a close the President of Tynwald gave members a much freer rein to debate the matter. This resulted in a much more open discusion in Tynwald and on Perspective we hear from former Health Minister David Ashford and Chief Minister Alf Cannan. We also hear from Tim Glover MHK who resigned from his departmental roles in disgust at the way in which government has conducted itself. Did the former Health Minister ignore Dr Ranson’s advice? Do the Chief Minister’s proposed actions restore your confidence in his government? Tim Glover certainly wasn’t convinced?

On Perspective this week we gauge reaction to the Dr Ranson payout and the Chief Minister’s statement to the House of Keys on the matter. Claire Christian MHK demands that the independent assessment suggested by the Chief Minister includes the Attorney General’s Chambers, Politicians, not just the Department of Health and Social Care, Chris Robertshaw calls for radical change and Minister Julie Edge asks for the recommendations of the whistleblowing committee she chaired to be fully implemented. Is government in crisis or is it just a storm in the Tynwald teacup?

Tynwald leftovers for Perspective this week covering a range of issues from parking charges to credit cards, stealth taxes to safer streets. Claire Christian MHK gives us her take on the handling of an appeal into the Ranson affair. What would a consultation on parking charges tell us other than we’d rather not pay? Are credit cards for Manx people a thing of the past? Do you want safer streets or just a quick route in and out of Douglas? So much to talk about, so little time! 

On Perspective this week we talk Credit Cards, tax and spend, stealth taxes, threats to teachers and health workers, casino licences and much much more. Grandfather of Tynwald, Bill Henderson MLC is joined by MHKs David Ashford and Tim Glover in a lively discusion on several key political issues. Can we afford to carry on spending so much of our reserves when attempts to boost government’s income have been faltering at best? Despite many months of talking we appear no closer to getting a workable solution on Credit Cards for new Manx applicants. Do you accept Tynwald member’s credit for talking the talk or do you think they’re dodgy customers and not to be trusted?

Moreblessing Pedhuru has recently arrived in the Island and is supporting a project to assist women in Zambia who find themselves in difficult circumstances. Liz Charter and Tim Earl gave a presentation to a packed audience about Birds of the Gambia last week and they are also raising funds for a project which supports people in the Gambia. It’s really inspiring to hear from Liz, Tim and Moreblessing about their selfless approach to helping people who’s lives are unimaginably difficult compared with our own.

A new service has been launched by Manx Care to help the 350 adults with ME and the 1,000+ with Long Covid. ME or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, is a disabling and complex illness and prior to the new service being launched there was minimal support available for people living with the condition. Finally there is some good news for people struggling with this condition.

On Perspective this week we hear from some of the students who took part in the One World Centre’s Charity Challenge. We also hear the heart warming stories of the Ballakermeen High School team all of whom have moved to the Island from countries with different cultures and languages. The Charity Challenge aims to help secondary school students get a better understanding of the many challenges faced by people in developing countries across the world. Even the hardest of perspectives will melt when listening to our young people promoting important global development work.