Perspective

Perspective 24/03 In May 2018, government made a move that will undoubtedly define its administration for years to come. It used £124m of the Manx taxpayer money to purchase the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. - taking it from Portuguese company Banco Espirito Santo and bringing it into public ownership. However, the proposed takeover which led to the nationalisation of the Island's lifeline was not subject to Tynwald debate. The move, according to the Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan, will secure long-term stability for the service and the Isle of Man. Almost a year on, a f...

In this episode, we examine a particular bugbear of some politicians and political commentators alike, both past and present – a perceived ‘lack of opposition’ in the parliament of the Isle of Man. Representatives from four Manx political parties will give their views on the functioning of Tynwald, and how government is held to account in the absence of a traditional ‘party politics’ structure, like we might see in the UK. Joining Dollin Mercer in the studio is Leader of the Manx Labour Party David Cretney MLC, Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper of Liberal Vannin, leader of the Isle of Man Gree...

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture is seeking the views of the public as it drafts 'The New Education Bill', legislation which 'seeks to be progressive where possible' whilst striving to match the standards set by the UK and elsewhere.  This consultation seeks to bring the current law from 2001 up to date, taking social media, faith schools, sex education and home schooling, among many other factors, into account. 

In November last year, a motion was tabled in Tynwald asking for a committee to look at whether the Isle of Man could accept refugees, specifically, 25 families from the war-torn country of Syria. In spite of unanimous support in the Legislative Council, 9-0, it failed to gain the approval of both chambers, with 10 for and 11 against in the House Keys. It led to one MHK blaming what he called the 'CoMin block vote'. A group of students at Ballakermeen High School say they were "very disappointed" with the outcome of the debate and feel strongly that issue remains unsettled. The six...

We look at DHSC's anticipated 'overspend' for ‘18/19. Also, "absolutely disgraceful", Dollin Mercer takes a look at the Island's new Integrated Care 'vision', which seems rather similar to Wigan's from five years ago..

Dollin Mercer is joined in the studio by the Health Minister David Ashford and founder of Mother T's community cafe Valerie Miller, to discuss what new legalisation of cannabis could mean for the Isle of Man.