Episodes
It was a big day for the Legislative Council on Thursday, as nine candidates were whittled down to four new members of Tynwald's upper chamber.
Two were returning members, voted back in to serve another five-year term, and two were new faces.
Kerry Sharpe, Bill Henderson, Peter Greenhill and Rob Mercer were the successful nominees, now set to serve until February 2025.
In this episode, we learn a little more about the people that got in - and a bit about some of those that didn't.
On Monday evening, there was a rare opportunity for the general public to put their questions to th...
It's been a difficult week for the Isle of Man.
A high profile departure has left many of us feeling like we live on an Island more than ever.
In this week's episode of Perspective, we take a look back at all the reaction to Flybe going into administration.
The news was confirmed, finally, in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The airline operated around half of the flights to and from the Isle of Man.
Since the news broke, passengers on the Island and elsewhere have been scrambling to rearrange travel plans, with all of the airline's flights cancelled - quite literally, ov...
This week on Perspective, we’re taking a look at all things Fairtrade.
Sunday (1 March) is the half-way point of Fairtrade Fortnight.
Wendy Shimmin and Phil Craine of the One World Centre join Dollin Mercer to talk about what that involves.
They also speak about the Isle of Man’s Fairtrade Island status, the recent primary schools Fairtrade Conference, as well as giving a bit of history behind the Fairtrade concept and all that comes with it.
Dollin is also joined in the studio by John and Katherine Corkish who used to live in Garstang – the UK's first Fairtrade town.
They dr...
Following Tuesday's budget, Dollin speaks to Treasury Minister Alf Cannan MHK, Debbie Halsall of Unite the Union and Devon Watson of the Fare Free Campaign and Climate Change Coalition to reflect on the 2020 Pink Book.
This week, bosses at the Financial Services Authority were under the spotlight as they gave evidence, in public, to Tynwald's Economic Policy Review Committee.
That panel is tasked with scrutinising the work of Cabinet Office, Treasury and the Department for Enterprise, as well as some other organisations - including the FSA.
Karen Badgerow and Lillian Boyle – CEO and Chair respectively – spoke about the authority's last year of work to MHKs Chris Robertshaw, Tim Baker and Jason Moorhouse.
As a regulator, the FSA is responsible for reducing financial crime in the Isle of Man, among...
Since the beginning of the year, a village in the south of the Island has been mobilised over the uncertain future of its post office branch.
After the sub-postmaster in Ballasalla announced his intention to step down at the end of March, the Isle of Man Post Office Board launched a public consultation about what the future of the branch should be.
The plan was to convert the facility into a kiosk - similar to the plans in St John's and Pulrose - instead of the traditional counter service model we associate with post office branches across the Island and elsewhere.
Those proposals ...
The idea of an Auditor General on the Isle of Man is not a new one by any means, but it’s a topic that resurfaced this week after a hearing of a Tynwald committee.
The Public Accounts Committee took oral evidence in public from Adrian Jenner, Director of Parliamentary Relations in the UK, and Linda Mills, the Parliamentary Relations Manager with the UK’s National Audit Office.
The aim of the evidence session, the committee says, was “to increase awareness and understanding of the role of a Supreme Audit Institution.”
“This is a function the Isle of Man has made provision for in the...
This week, an important piece of work was presented to Tynwald.
The annual report of the Children's Champion provides careful scrutiny of a range of issues relating to looked after children, children with complex needs and young carers.
Tim Baker MHK is currently in the role, having taken it on in May 2018.
Few would disagree that the Isle of Man has a difficult history when it comes to looked after children, and children in care.
There have been a series of events, both in living memory and before, which taint the Island’s reputation – but, more importantly, had enormous reperc...
This week, Perspective revisits a topic which, behind all of the political activity of the present day, continues to bubble away in the background.
Some years ago, big promises were made when it came to the film industry.
To quote an MHK who would go on to become treasury minister, "I am pleading with you to cast off that starry-eyed spell that has been waved over you and start appreciating facts: there is no proper due diligence; there is no business plan."
Alf Cannan was speaking about the Media Development Fund – which incurred losses of between 26 and 27 million pounds.
In O...
This week, we're taking another look at a debate an MHK recently described as "probably the most important debate we've had for decades."
Talking to the BBC at the annual Illiam Dhone commemoration ceremony at Hango Hill this month, Ralph Peake said Tynwald had the opportunity to "show some real leadership" in tackling climate change.
He was speaking as one of the members of a Climate Emergency Consultative Transformation Team, appointed by the Manx Government in July.
That team was made up of representatives from government departments, climate change specialists, as well as two p...
Talking to the BBC at the annual Illiam Dhone commemoration ceremony at Hango Hill on Thursday, 2 January 2020, Ralph Peake MHK said Tynwald had the opportunity to "show some real leadership" in tackling climate change.
The topic dominated this year's event, with speeches in English from Devon Watson of the Climate Change Coalition and Fare Free Campaign, followed by the author of the Isle of Man Population Atlas, Paul Craine, who is also the Isle of Man leader of the Climate Reality Project.
Mr Peake attended the event, having been one of the members of a Climate Emergency Consultati...
This week, Perspective took a look at what some might argue is proving to be one of the most divisive topics of the Quayle administration.
It’s a talking point that always garners an enormous amount of comment and debate on social media, on the airwaves, in the pub – and one that sparks strong opinions on both sides.
In the December sitting of Tynwald, Garff MHK Daphne Caine tried again to launch a feasibility study, about the prospect of resettling Syrian refugees here, following a petition from Ballakermeen students.
It was essentially a carbon copy of a debate from November 2018...
It's hoped the Isle of Man will have a state-of-the-art, dedicated cuesports facility by February next year.
Plans have been approved to construct 'The Cue Zone IOM' in the old sorting office on the Ronaldsway Industrial Estate, which is now beginning to take shape.
It'll house five or six top-of-the-range snooker tables, plus an 8-Ball Pool room and lounge area.
Twenty-three-year-old ex-professional snooker player and former world number 75 Darryl Hill, who is behind the project, has a grand vision for the venue.
He came up to Broadcasting House on Douglas Head to speak to Doll...
We chose to dedicate Perspective this week to the launch of a very important book.
In January this year, the Isle of Man lost a cornerstone of Manx culture, a catalyst in the ongoing revival of the Manx language, a crucial servant of Manx Radio over many many years, and someone not lightly described as a genuine polymath.
Dr Brian Stowell had an illustrious career in nuclear physics, held in the highest regard by his peers at the forefront of scientific advancements in the field.
Having worked as a lecturer in Physics in Liverpool, Dr Stowell would later become the Manx Language Of...
On this week's episode, we’re taking a look ahead to one of the items on the agenda for the House of Keys on Tuesday, which could see a crucial piece of legislation on the Isle of Man pass another significant hurdle.
In March last year, local charity 'Safe Strong Secure' started a petition calling for reform of the Island's domestic abuse legislation.
The move came in light of what the charity felt was "a very disappointing sentence," following a well-publicised court case.
The next month, the Department of Home Affairs responded, as it began drafting a new bill to address the issu...
This week was an important one for the Island's Attorney General, who was thrust under the spotlight of a Tynwald committee - in public.
Currently in that role is John Quinn QC.
The Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Justice Committee is looking at a range of topics relating to Her Majesty's Attorney General - including the relationship he has between the Government, Governor and Tynwald.
The work forms part of the committee's scrutiny remit, also focusing on issues which affect the Island relating to the administration of justice, legal services and constitutional issues.
Jan...
This week, we dedicated the programme to one of the Isle of Man's best-known and most respected broadcasters.
It was announced on Thursday (7 Nov) that Roger Watterson had passed away, at the age of 77.
Roger's involvement with Manx Radio began in 1974, when he co-authored a report into the station.
He was elected to the House of Keys in 1976, and appointed to the Broadcasting Commission and the Manx Radio Management Committee.
He served one term, in Middle, between 1976 and 1981.
On-air, he will be best remembered as the voice of Sunday Opinion and the Mannin Line on Manx Ra...
This week's Perspective; William King, sitting in for Dollin Mercer, was joined by representatives of four podcasts made on the Isle of Man to discuss the audio they make.
We hear from Ged Power who makes tourism and golf podcasts, Neil and Neil at the Manx theatre podcast, Jess Ward from the Isle of Man Newspapers Podcast and Sian Cowper from the motorsport podcast 3 legs 4 wheels.
William also speaks to George Butler from Radiocentre, the industry body for commercial radio in the UK and Chris Sully and Alex Brindley from Manx Radio to learn about the dynamic between podcasting and r...
Describing itself as “an environmental initiative that would improve the lives of working and middle class families on the Isle of Man,” we hear all about the ‘Fare Free Campaign’ on this week's episode of Perspective, which is calling for public transport on the Island to be made free for all.
Devon Watson, the spokesperson for the campaign, joins Dollin Mercer in the studio.
But first, we remind ourselves of previous discussions about this issue.
Back in May, Daphne Caine MHK asked the infrastructure minister a question in Tynwald about the impact of free bus travel on the Island...
A climate emergency was declared on the Isle of Man in May.
In July, Professor James Curran was brought in to lead a team of around twenty – working towards a climate change action plan for the Island.
They were set a six month target to construct and present a report.
We get an update from Professor Curran, roughly half way through that period, about the work he and his team are doing.
Also, we hear an extended discussion with Dr Miguel Clüsener-Godt, who is one of the senior figures at the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme.
He speaks about what 'biosphere reserve' accr...
In Tynwald on Tuesday, two separate documents are being presented to the court, loosely covering the topic of poverty: Tynwald's Poverty Committee's own report, and the Council of Ministers' Cold, Hunger and Homelessness Action Plan.
Jason Moorhouse from the committee and Minister for Policy and Reform Chris Thomas discuss their findings with Manx Radio's Dollin Mercer.
Some years ago, big promises were made when it came to the film industry.
The old adage of 'speculate to accumulate' was banded around by some supporters of heavy investment in media here.
Critics argued the proposals lacked some depth.
To quote an MHK who would go on to become Treasury Minister, "I am pleading with you to cast off that starry-eyed spell that has been waved over you and start appreciating facts: there is no proper due diligence; there is no business plan."
It would appear that Mr Cannan was right.
The Media Development Fund is thought to have incurred losses ...
This week, came what could potentially be some big news for some of the Island's fishing fleet.
Specifically, queen scallop fishermen, who are being encouraged to branch out and try to catch some different species.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is inviting queenie catchers to make grant applications towards diversifying, as part of government's 'future fisheries' vision of what it describes as a "sustainable, thriving and well-managed fishing industry providing high-quality seafood products."
Funding is being made available for an eight-week application perio...
Dollin Mercer is joined by the Governor of the Isle of Man Prison, Bob McColm, Minister of Home Affairs Bill Malarkey and Home Affairs Chief Executive Dan Davies to look back on ‘The Best Little Prison in Britain?’ - the ITV series which focussed on the Isle of Man’s only prison.
The series was aired in six parts, on Wednesday evenings on ITV1.
In July, Perspective took a look at what's increasingly becoming one of the biggest talking points on our Island.
The ongoing refurbishment works along Douglas promenade are estimated to take around two years, and it's thought to be the first major excavation of the capital's highway in 90 years.
However, it's estimated the project is already as much as ten weeks behind schedule.
Motorists who use the route may well have experienced delays, parking spaces have been lost or moved, and pedestrians may have struggled to cross in places with the central corridor shut for extended lengt...
This week, we're taking another look at the work of Tynwald's Social Affairs Policy Review Committee, after a further public evidence session with a senior figure from the health department.
If we rewind back to November last year, the standing committee of Tynwald committed to undertake an inquiry into the topic of suicide on the Isle of Man.
The move came as part of its report on mental health here.
The committee set out to look at:
i) The adequacy of preventative measures;
ii) The response of public services following instances of suicide;
iii) The role and functioning ...
This week, we're taking a look back on a crucial oral evidence session which took place on Monday (2 September 2019).
If we rewind back to November last year, the Social Affairs Policy Review Committee, a standing committee of Tynwald, committed to undertake an inquiry into the topic of suicide.
The move came as part of its report on mental health here.
The committee set out to look at:
i) The adequacy of preventative measures;
ii) The response of public services following instances of suicide;
iii) The role and functioning of the Coroner of Inquests; and
iv) The suppor...
On #MRPerspective, Dollin Mercer and William King were joined by three figureheads of the trade union movement on the Isle of Man.
Live in the studio, we heard from Mick Hewer of Prospect union, and Debbie Halsall of Unite.
During the programme, we also heard extracts from an interview with former union head Bernard Moffatt.
You can listen to that conversation, in full, here.
Dollin Mercer and William King are joined by three figureheads of the trade union movement on the Isle of Man.
Live in the studio, we hear from Mick Hewer of Prospect union, and Debbie Halsall of Unite.
We also hear extracts from an interview with former union head Bernard Moffatt.
We hear from students, parents, teachers and officials at the Department of Education, Sport and Culture reflecting on A Level and GCSE results days.