Agenda
A weekly look at the Manx political scene in which Phil Gawne talks to the politicians who are raising the issues and asking the questions in Tynwald and the House of Keys, ex-politicians about their time in power and exploring the wider world of politics and the workings of Government.
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Episodes
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Agenda 2.12.24 - reproductive rights and tax changes.
Monday, 2 December 2024
The Reproductive Rights Bill seeks to bring up to date our somewhat archaic legislation . This private members Bill has been brought forward by Tanya August Philips MLC and addresses matters relating to fertilization, embryology and surrogacy. We’ve also had some important international tax orders in Tynwald and an Income Tax Bill going through Keys. On Agenda we attempt to explain why these pieces of legislation matter. Encouragingly a Tax Bill in Keys tends to mean more money to pay for essential services and this time we won’t be paying?
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Agenda 25.11.24 - some more highlights from November Tynwald
Monday, 25 November 2024
Getting withdrawal symptoms from last week’s bumper Tynwald sitting? Well this evenings Agenda is just the answer. All the Tynwald highlights we couldn’t squeeze in to Sunday’s Perspective, including education, the post office, a bit more on the NI Fund and a few bonus questions thrown in too. There are certainly some big issues being discussed at the moment by Tynwald members but are they getting any closer to the answers? Spoiler alert - no, not really - but I guess you’d probably worked that out.
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Agenda 18.11.24 - the Energy Strategy, Food Security Strategy and Agriculture Strategy.
Monday, 18 November 2024
You wait around for an environment, food or agriculture strategy and then suddenly three appear all at once. DEFA Minister Clare Barber tells Agenda all about the energy strategy, the food security strategy and the agriculture strategy. There's no new money to help deliver the food security and agriculture strategies which may leave farmers feeling they’ve heard warm words before, but the Minister puts some convincing arguments that things will get better. The Department suggests just 6% of food consumed in the Island is Manx, is government moooooving quick enough to help the Manx food sector?
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Agenda 11.11.24 - Chris Robertshaw on the Chief Minister no confidence vote and why Keys should be focussed on higher matters.
Monday, 11 November 2024
The debate that preceded the vote of no confidence into the Chief Minister raised a number of interesting points about the importance of the role. Some MHKs suggested that the policies of government would not change regardless of the person leading the Council of Ministers. Others felt that a change of Chief Minister was needed but seemed somewhat vague on why and indeed what a replacement might do differently. On Agenda this week former Douglas East MHK Chris Robertshaw considers the debate and explains what they should be talking about. Yes - more from Chairman Robertshaw’s little Green B...
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Agenda 4.11.24 - a couple of Bills … well, three if you include Bill Henderson.
Monday, 4 November 2024
We’ve had some high octane politics over the past few weeks so Agenda takes a look at some of the less headline grabbing, calmer issues going through Keys and LegCo. Bill Henderson tells us about the Public Sector Payments Bill which “tidies up” some outdates legislation particularly relating to members expenses and Alex Allinson reveals what’s behind the Treasury (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. From the relatively obscure clause amending the 1928 Allotments Act to making it easier to increase fees its all considered on Agenda. And is the Treasury Minister really trying to pinch our pennies?
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Agenda 28.10.24 - the Chief Minister on Lawrie Hooper’s resignation and what to do about Health and Joney Faragher on her resignation and what to do about Health.
Monday, 28 October 2024
There’s been so much happening in Manx politics lately and with the vote of confidence in the Chief Minister taking place in the Keys tomorrow we have two interviews from October Tynwald on Agenda this week. One from the Chief Minister which explains his position on health and what he proposes to do about it. We also hear from Joney Faragher on why she resigned at the same time as the former health Minister. Better late than never on Agenda this week. Will the Chief Minister survive tomorrow’s vote? Who would you replace him with. Lots to consider.
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Agenda 21.10.24 - Treasury Minister’s autumn statement - the temporary tax rise, removal of pension triple lock and health spending.
Monday, 21 October 2024
In what appeared to be a relatively uninspiring Tynwald Order Paper one of the expected highlights was the Treasury Minister’s statement. As things turned out, Lawrie Hoopers resignation overshadowed everything else but Alex Allinson’s statement explained a lot, both in what he did and didn’t say. The temporary rise in the higher rate of income tax is looking more permanent than we’d been led to believe and the pension triple lock is likely to be removed, but there was some good news hinted at in the statement too. No give aways from Treasury but perhaps some jam tomorrow?
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Agenda 14.10.24 - parking in Castletown and saving our town centres.
Monday, 14 October 2024
Agenda 14.10.24 - parking in Castletown and saving our town centres.You’d wonder what all the fuss is about over closing off a few parking spaces in Castletown but it’s seen a couple of former town MHKs breaking cover on the subject. The latest of these is Richard Ronan who led the regeneration work in Castletown during his time as MHK. What was the thinking behind these regeneration schemes, have they worked, is government and Tynwald doing enough to try to bring vibrancy back to our struggling town centres. All this and more on Agenda - assuming I can find somewhere to park of course!
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Agenda 12.8.24 - waste, local government, rates and reform.
Monday, 12 August 2024
How do we manage waste across the Island, who’s responsible for recycling and why do some local authorities pay substantially more for their regional recycling centres than others? Is the current Rates system fair and if not why has Rates reform never been tackled? And while we’re discussing reform why do we still have such a disparate range of local authorities from very large to tiny? All these questions and more will be answered on this week’s Agenda. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about local government … and probably a bit more!
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Agenda 5.8.24 - what has local democracy ever done for us?
Monday, 5 August 2024
Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been in post for just under two years now so what has she learned about local government in the Isle of Man? What is a local democracy reporter and why do we need one? Why does it take so long to get an answer from government, how does central government interact with local government and why do so few people vote in local elections given the important role played by your Commissioners and Councillors in making your community a great place to live and work. So what has local democracy ever done for us?
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Agenda 29.7.24 - was Chris Thomas right to be censured by his colleagues in July Tynwald?
Monday, 29 July 2024
There was an interesting flare up in Tynwald over the appointment of two new directors to the government owned Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Some members were incensed by a particular line of questioning from Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas and he was asked to withdraw what were described as disparaging remarks. Is it possible to question candidates’ suitability for certain roles in such a public forum, and if it isn’t then perhaps Tynwald’s role in the process is merely to rubber stamp decisions taken behind closed doors. Agenda considers whether legitimate debate was being stifled o...
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Agenda 22.7.24 - assisted dying, a bus station, some luxury flat funding and consultation?
Monday, 22 July 2024
The assisted dying Bill is due to be read a third time tomorrow in an extra Keys sitting and Agenda asks what’s the rush. We also ponder whether Tynwald and government are capable of delivering a bus station in Douglas, why developers need support to build luxury flats in Port Erin and why Tynwald rejected the opportunity to save money by allowing private member’s Bills to appear on the government consultation website. If you are struggling to understand government’s spending priorities then this week’s Agenda may well be able to help - mind you it might not and all.
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Agenda 15.7.24 - Michelle Haywood tells us why future generations should not be allowed to buy tobacco products.
Monday, 15 July 2024
Rushen MHK Michelle Haywood wants to progressively prevent new generations from being able to purchase tobacco products. Her private member’s Bill would in effect see the age at which you can buy tobacco products increase by a year each year until eventually nobody could buy them. With an estimated 25% of the health budget spent treating smoking relate illness this seems like an obvious thing to do. Will the health budget savings outweigh the lost tobacco tax income? Surely helping us lead longer healthier live must be a good thing?
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Agenda 8.7.24 - who cares about carers?
Monday, 8 July 2024
Lawrie Hooper’s homework was marked by June Tynwald and he passed with flying colours. The waiting list initiative supported by Tynwald last year appears to have had a significant impact in reducing numbers of people waiting for treatment. Minister Hooper tells us about that initiative and new adoption law changes before moving on to the Carer’s Strategy. Julie Edge gave an impassioned speech in support of carers which we’ll hear too in this week’s Agenda. Good news about waiting lists but does government care about carers?
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Agenda 1.7.24 - the 41st Summit of the British-Irish Council and sharing the spoils of off-shore wind.
Monday, 1 July 2024
The 41st Summit of the British-Irish Council took place here just over a week ago with senior politicians focussing on unlocking the economic and social opportunities of renewables across these islands. The Irish Taoiseach was here as was the Scottish Government First Minister but do these summits actually deliver anything meaningful? And has any progress been made to give the Isle of Man a share of the spoils extracted from windfarm licences that would be ours if we were independent?
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Agenda 17.6.24 - Rob Callister tells us why we need another housing committee.
Monday, 17 June 2024
If we had a house for every report, review, investigation, and new policy and recommendation then we probably wouldn’t have a housing crisis. So why does Rob Callister want to set up another committee investigation on housing? Should public sector housing be more accessible for people on low incomes and if so how do we pay for the new houses required to satisfy demand? Surely it’s time for more obvious action rather than endless words, excuses and “jam tomorrow”?
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Agenda 10.6.24 - the Manx Development Corporation - what is it for and is it delivering?
Monday, 10 June 2024
The Manx Development Corporation has its supporters and critics but what is it for and how was it formed? It aims to be a catalyst for the positive transformation of the Island’s urban landscape for the benefit of all Manx Citizens and has a vision to create an urban landscape which will be perceived as vibrant, safe, of high design quality and environmentally efficient. So how is that working? Well, Dane Harrop, Managing Director of the Manx Development Corporation is keen to tell us on Agenda. A bold initiative to provide us with beautiful and inspiring places to live or more tax payers m...
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Agenda 3.6.24 - a tribute to long serving Tynwald Member Eddie Lowey from his political friend Peter Karran
Monday, 3 June 2024
Long serving political figure Eddie Lowey passed away recently and on Agenda long term friend and occasional political ally Peter Karran pays tribute to a towering Manx statesman. Mr Lowey was first elected to the House of Keys in the old Rushen constituency. He went on to serve in many position in both government and Tynwald stepping down from Legislative Council about ten years ago. But it was his dedication to the Manx people through the Labour Party which defines him as one of the most influential politicians in living memory.
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Agenda 20.5.24 - The Island’s first set of Biodiversity Action Plans mark a significant step in the Island’s commitment to nature conservation.
Monday, 20 May 2024
The Island’s first set of Biodiversity Action Plans mark a significant step in the Island’s commitment to nature conservation. Agenda asks the experts what are they and why do they matter? There certainly seems to be a greater focus on protecting the Island’s biodiversity but will these plans make a difference? Is there any budget to help deliver the plans? We live in a beautiful part of the world with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Are you pleased that government is looking after the birds and the bees? Are they doing enough or is it just bluff and bluster with no real substance?
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Agenda 13.5.24 - Julie Edge on the new political alliance.
Tuesday, 14 May 2024
More from the new political alliance on this week’s Agenda. Julie Edge MHK gives her warts and all assessment of government and what needs to change. So what did she do as Minister to solve these problems? Is this just sour grapes on the recently replaced education Minister? Ms Edge certainly has some interesting thoughts and ideas for the future which she shares with you on Agenda. Will the Chief Minister live to regret losing so many Ministers? Do you find it refreshing to hear the unbridled views of ex-Ministers or do you just wish they’d all shut up and focus on delivering the change pr...
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Agenda 22.4.24 - should MLCs make decisions on government policy bearing in mind their at best tenuous mandate from the people?
Thursday, 18 April 2024
In Tynwald last week Onchan MHK Rob Callister asked his colleagues to reaffirm a 2017 Tynwald decision relating to the role LegCo members should fulfil and in particular that they should not be a member of more than one government department. The government website tells us that one MLC is a member of two departments and since last month’s reshuffle there may be two, but does any of this really matter? As is often the case there were mixed views in Tynwald and we hear some of them on Agenda. Should MLCs make decisions on government policy bearing in mind their at best tenuous mandate from t...
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Agenda 29.4.24 - is government support for household insulation and green living “a joke?”
Thursday, 11 April 2024
John Sheppard is a Sustainability Consultant and Technical director of Wren Sustainable Limited. He believes that government initiatives to help households become more sustainable are “a joke” and he tells us why on Agenda. While government has legislation requiring it to deliver on carbon reduction targets, it seems that legislation is limited on requiring government agencies to help people reduce their energy needs. It certainly makes financial sense for us all to better insulate our homes and reduce energy bills so why aren’t more of us doing this? Is there real substance behind the gove...
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Agenda 15.4.24 - Tynwald Youth Select Committee members talk about their political aspirations and run rings round Phil Gawne in a discussion about the perils and opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence.
Thursday, 11 April 2024
On Agenda last week Tynwald Youth Select Committee members Zara Molnova, Aidan Clarke and Alex Cowley told us about the work of their Committee. This week these sixth form students talk about their political aspirations and run rings round me in a discussion about the perils and opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence. As someone who’s political thinking inhabits the margins of the Tynwald/CoMin bubble I found it encouraging to be challenged by their fresh ideas and inciteful comment. Well worth a listen as you’re getting your tea later.
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Agenda 8.4.24 - the Tynwald Youth Select Committee - part 1
Sunday, 7 April 2024
Very occasionally when conducting interviews Phil Gawne is particularly impressed by the refreshing honestly and clarity of my guests. The Youth Select Committee was established by Tynwald to give a voice to students and Castle Rushen High School students Zara Molnova and Aidan Clarke, and Chair of the Select Committee Alex Cowley from St Ninians High School join Phil Gawne on Agenda. In the first of what will be a two part interview they tell me about their role and how they intend to help Tynwald solve the Island’s housing crisis. Honest, straight talking and passionate about politics - ...
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Agenda 25.3.24 - the latest population figures and when is it okay for a toilet break?
Sunday, 24 March 2024
An Agenda of two halves this week with Paul Craine MLC assessing the latest population figures and MLC and Children’s Champion Kerry Sharp assessing the recently announced Ballakermeen toilet policy and how children’s rights have changed over the decades. Government has set its sights on growing the economically active population and the latest figures seem to suggest they are beginning to succeed. And the toilet policy has certainly attracted a lot of interest with vociferous argument for and against so good to have a philosophical reflection on the topic. Well worth crossing your legs and...
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Agenda 18.3.24 - lessons from Canada on Assisted Dying
Sunday, 17 March 2024
At a meeting last week more than a hundred people heard from Canadian campaigner, Alex Schadenberg, Chair of Euthanasia Prevention Coalition and Dr Duncan Gerry consultant geriatrician. Both spoke with passion and expressed deep concern about Alex Allinson’s attempt to introduce Assisted Dying in the Isle of Man. So are the safeguards in the Assisted Dying Bill strong enough? We hear the views of those concerned about the new Bill on Agenda. There’s no doubt that the Bill will have a dramatic impact on end of life care in the Isle of Man. Should we be worried about that?
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Agenda 11.3.24 - the UK Post Office Scandal and how to avoid it.
Wednesday, 28 February 2024
The scandal surrounding the actions of the UK Post Office in connection with wrongful persecution of sub postmasters is rarely off the news lately, thanks in part to the significant campaign for justice led by Alan Bates. Looking at the fact as we now know them it seems remarkable that a common sense test hadn’t been applied by Post Office Chiefs. Corporate investigator Rob Kinrade explains how properly trained staff should be able spot such situations and avoid the huge stress and embarrassment caused when things go so badly wrong. Sadly protecting corporate reputations seems to trump comm...
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Agenda 26.2.24 - Julie Edge reacts to her Ministerial departure.
Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Julie Edge has been replaced as education minister in what the Chief Minister has termed a strategic change. All parties are at pains to mention that this was not a sacking but Ms Edge responded to news of her departure by saying that as the “difficult woman” who regularly challenges decisions and offers the public perspective, I am not surprised. So what’s going on? We hear the departing Minister’s view on Agenda. Is this the start of a much needed reshuffle of the Council of Ministers? Will more Ministerial heads roll? Or is this just a convenient way to get an unpopular budget off the he...
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Agenda 19.2.24 - Should MHKs make decisions about the size of their constituencies? With just under half the voting age population not bothering to vote should we be looking at much bolder steps in relation to Keys elections?
Friday, 16 February 2024
The Isle of Man Electoral Commission recently published its report which makes recommendations to Tynwald in relation to House of Keys constituency boundaries. The report is due to be debated in March and on Agenda Commission members Sally Bolton and Nigel Davis explain the Commission’s findings and recommendations. Should MHKs make decisions about the future shape and size of their constituencies? Should they follow international standards? With just under half the voting age population not bothering to vote should we be looking at much bolder steps in relation to Keys elections?
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Agenda 12.2.24 - the Chief Minister defends his government’s progress half way through his term in office.
Sunday, 11 February 2024
We’re half way through the Cannan administration and the Chief Minister is facing growing pressure to deliver on the promises contained in the glitzy strategy documents and plans. So how does Alf Cannan think he’s doing? Is the housing crisis solved? Find out on Agenda with Amy Griffiths who caught up with the Chief Minister earlier this month. Are the recent green shoots of economic growth a sign that all is well in the government garden or merely the expected bounce that follows the forced constraint of Covid restrictions.