Perspective
Phil Gawne takes an in-depth look at a variety of aspects of life on the Isle of Man and further afield. Sometimes political, occasionally controversial, but always an appointment to listen.
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Episodes
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Perspective 15.12.24 - December Tynwald highlights
Thursday, 19 December 2024
Perspective 15.12.24December Tynwald proved to be a lively affair with lots of interesting debate and questions and answers. There were questions about food security and the Minister without portfolio and a debate on housing - we may begin to see some being built next year. And spare a thought for Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson who’s still banging on about making the budget process more transparent. The December Tynwald saw one or two stars rising in the east but where were the wise men? Certainly no shortage of donkeys!
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Perspective 8.12.24 - a new Minister, the quiet voice in the Keys and is it time to bin Net Zero?
Sunday, 8 December 2024
December Tynwald is shaping up to be a slightly less verbose affair than its November neighbour with just three main government motions on the Order Paper but one or two meaty motions tabled by back benchers. In one of those Stu Peters stands like King Canute against the Net Zero tide. Stu explains why on Perspective. New DoI Minister Michelle Haywood tells us about her Department plan and we also hear from Douglas Central MHK Ann Corlett. She doesn’t say a lot in Keys and Tynwald but she subscribes to the view that actions speak louder than words. Some pre Christmas crackers on this week’s...
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Perspective 1.12.24 - could constitutional reform help answer the political woes the Isle of Man is struggling with?
Sunday, 1 December 2024
At November Tynwald members pondered when is a dependency not a dependency, should UK legislation introduced to the Isle of Man by CoMin be laid before Tynwald and does the Isle of Man need a permanent representative in London? It’s remarkable that there has been little discussion and even less change to our constitutional relationship with the UK for nearly quarter of a century. A fascinating topic for Perspective. Some have said that if it ain’t broke don’t fix it but perhaps it is broke but politicians have just got so used to the decaying structure they’ve not noticed it’s structural fl...
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A spicy seasonal winter mix of November Tynwald highlights
Sunday, 24 November 2024
It might be easier to talk about what Tynwald didn’t discuss this week in their rare three day sitting. Housing or lack of it was discussed, the future of our pensions, health, drugs, energy, food, the Post Office, education, dyslexia and the constitution were all squeezed in to a very busy Tynwald sitting and Perspective was there to record some of the highlights. Yes a spicy seasonal winter mix of politics on Perspective this week. And there is of course the unanswered question of who will pick up the reins at the Health department - anyone fancy it?
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Perspective 17.11.24 - it’s time to take about pensions, the NI Fund and their future sustainability.
Sunday, 17 November 2024
It’s November Tynwald next week and probably the most important item is what changes are need to ensure the National Insurance Fund - and the pensions it helps to pay - remain sustainable in the future. Treasury Minister Alex Allinson MHK explains the changes he’s considering which includes replacing the triple lock promise for future pension increases, and increasing the options for use of the NI Fund. We also hear from former Treasury Minister Eddie Teare who explains what previous administrations did to make the fund more sustainable. An attack on pensions or a prudent step to control go...
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Perspective 10.11.24 - the Assisted Dying Bill has begun its passage through the Legislative Council - what did the MLCs make of it?
Sunday, 10 November 2024
The Assisted Dying Bill 2023 is being progressed now through the Legislative Council and at the Principles Stage of the Bill there was a successful call for further evidence to be taken. The vote in LegCo was seven in favour of the Bill with just one against. We’ve heard a lot over the past year or so about the case in favour and against the principle of introducing legislation to allow people to end their life so on Perspective this week we’re considering what the legislation now looks like, why new evidence is needed to be considered what concerns remain.
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Perspective 3.11.24 - the fall out from the Chief Minister no confidence vote.
Sunday, 3 November 2024
Why do we have a Chief Minister? Is it to provide leadership to the government or political direction perhaps? Is the role all about consensus building in Tynwald? Perhaps it’s all of these things and more? Certainly the debate which preceded the Keys “no confidence vote” this week covered all of these possibilities and more. There was some quite profound discussion and erudite thinking in the House of Keys which ultimately saw the Chief Minister comfortably survive the vote. On Perspective we consider some of the points made and what, if any, lessons have been learned? A storm in a tea cup...
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Perspective 27.10.24 - Julie Edge and Chris Thomas talk about some Tunnel highlights and Chris declares for the currently filled Chief Minister post..
Sunday, 27 October 2024
So much to talk about on Perspective this week. Some Tynwald leftovers - whistle blowing and a Manx framework for awarding degrees, the fallout from Lawrie Hooper’s resignation, a new chief minister candidate explains why he’s putting his name forward, energy policy, Crogga and a suggested half billion raid on our NI fund. Julie Edge and Chris Thomas give their views on all of the above and ask the Chief Minister to step down rather than facing a no confidence vote. Do you think we need a new name on the Chief Minister’s door or is political stability and getting on with the job more import...
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Perspective 20.10.24 - former health minister Lawrie Hooper explains his resignation and what’s been happening behind the scenes in health
Sunday, 20 October 2024
October Tynwald proved to be a much more lively affair that we had expected. As he resigned his Health Minister role, Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper accused the Chief Minister of undermining Manx Care and wishing to privatise health services, and repeated his assertion that Health is underfunded not over budget. The Chief Minister responded by robustly denying that he or CoMin plan to privatise health and releasing a damning report into the financial governance of Manx Care which hadn’t been shared with government prior to the former Minister’s departure. A bit early for bonfire night but expect ...
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Perspective 13.10.24 - Claire Christian and Rob Callister consider October's Tynwald Agenda
Sunday, 13 October 2024
Tynwald returns from its summer recess next week so what does the Order Paper tell us about what the Government has been up to since July? You might expect members to be keen to debate the Manx Care overspend but there are just a few questions and one motion on health and perhaps surprisingly no statement from the Health Minister. Maybe the Chief Minister will reveal more in his autumn statement? MHKs Claire Christian and Rob Callister pick over the relatively small number of motions on Perspective. We’ll not be just going through the motions on this week’s show.
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Perspective 6.10.24 - business leaders mark government's card
Sunday, 6 October 2024
We’ve heard a lot from Ministers over the past few weeks about their plans and progress in getting to grips with the big issues facing the Isle of Man, so on Perspective this week we invite three private sector leaders to mark government’s card. Economist John Webster, Farmers Union official Sarah Comish and Carl Joughin from the licenced victuallers association consider what we’ve learned from the recent Government Conference and discuss how well supported businesses feel. Will government get a gold star or see me after the lesson.
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Perspective 29.9.24 - Highlights from the 2nd Day of the Isle of Man Conference.
Sunday, 29 September 2024
The third Isle of Man Government Conference took place last week and while the event was light on big announcements it was certainly informative to those who attended. Perspective this week talks to some of the speakers from the second day of the conference. Want to know more about the man tasked with delivering over 10 million pounds of savings? Wondering why the treasury Minister was relatively low key in his speech? Interested to know why we’re suddenly more focussed on security? Well Perspective has all the answers. And is the Chief Minister steadying the ship or rocking the boat?
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Perspective 22.9.24 - Highlights from the 1st Day of the Isle of Man Conference
Sunday, 22 September 2024
The third Isle of Man Government Conference took place earlier this week and it gave us all the opportunity to question Ministers, senior civil servants and businesses leaders. The Conference focussed on the economy and there were some very informative sessions but the political background to these discussions was the sharp rebuke issued to Manx Care by the Chief Minister for unacceptable health overspends. There was little clarity given as to how this issue will be addressed and no opportunity to find out about Manx Care’s success in driving down waiting lists and improving services. Air a...
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Perspective 15.9.24 - is health spending threatening the Isle of Man’s financial stability? The Chief Minister certainly seems to think so.
Sunday, 15 September 2024
Education, Health and Housing will not be on the agenda at this week’s Government Conference. The Chief Minister tells Perspective why not as well as explaining why people should attend the Conference. Chris Thomas ponders the value of three years worth of government strategies and policies and offers some suggestions to deliver success. Isle of Man Government is facing some serious financial challenges but do Ministers have the resolve to address them?
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Perspective 8.9.24 - should certain houses be restricted to use by Manx workers and should we be taxing wealth? The Liberal Vannin Party seems to think so.
Sunday, 8 September 2024
The Liberal Vannin party held it’s AGM a few weeks ago and agreed that Government should be more transparent on procurement. They also asked for the proposed new government levy to be progressive and include a tax on capital or wealth. Meanwhile Liberal Vannin founder and long standing former Onchan MHK Peter Karran has renewed his call for new measures to alleviate the housing crisis. Some politically bold suggestions from Liberal Vannin which could cause a ripple of anxiety among the Island’s wealthiest residents, but is it just talk or will the Party deliver some meaningful change?
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Perspective 1.9.24 - can the Isle of Man help to bring hope and opportunity to small countries …. and should it?
Sunday, 1 September 2024
Fear of mass immigration has fuelled unrest and political change across Europe and the solution usually offered is bigger walls or stronger borders. Less attention seems to be paid to what is driving this mass migration and what might encourage migrants to stay in their home countries. Former Chief Constable, Gary Roberts, has taken up a new role as Executive Director of the Small Countries Financial Management Centre and he talks to Perspective about how his Centre is empowering people to bring opportunity to their small countries. A message of hope in this troubled world?
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Perspective 25.8.24 - is Government doing enough to solve the Island's housing woes?
Sunday, 25 August 2024
Three years ago Keys candidates were expressing concern and committing to resolving what was popularly believed to be a housing crisis. Government’s flagship solution to the lack of funds to deliver high quality comprehensive public services is to grow the economically active part of the population so generating more tax income. To do that we need more houses for this wave of new residents to live in but three years in to this House of Keys’ term of office has much actually changed? If only every report, investigation, recommendation and strategy was a new house .... !
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Perspective 18.08.24 - Former MHK Chris Robertshaw's views on the current political scene
Monday, 19 August 2024
Former Douglas East MHK Chris Robertshaw has been called a lot of things over his time in business and politics but ’shrinking violet’ was never one of them. Chris has lots to say about the current state of Manx politics and the biggest challenge is how we’ll fit it all in on this week’s Perspective. How many of Chris’s catch phrases will we get? I expect “Smaller smarter government”, “single legal entity” and the old favourite “silo mentality” are all likely to make an appearance, but will any of this find receptive ears in Tynwald?Regardless, expect a political blast from the former Minis...
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Perspective 11.8.24 - Ørsted explains the Mooir Vannin wind farm project.
Sunday, 11 August 2024
Ørsted want to build a 1.4 gigawatt wind farm six nautical miles off the north east coast of the Isle of Man. Up to 100 turbines are proposed and these could be as high as 389 metres above low tides. So what’s in it for us? Sea bed rental income, tax on the energy production, a community fund and potentially cheaper electricity are all mentioned but will all this be delivered? And what about the environment? Does the potential benefit in developing green energy outweigh the inevitable damage to marine habitats and views from the shore? Yes it’s Gawne with the Wind on this week’s show!
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Perspective 4.8.24 - some July Tynwald housing highlights
Sunday, 4 August 2024
July Tynwald saw several debates about housing and development with reassurances given about “lots of work going on behind the scenes”. An entertaining exchange saw the Housing Minister attempting to woo Jason Moorhouse but he was playing hard to get. We also hear from the Home Affairs Minister about the cost of the new sexual assault referral centre and emergency planning. Can our elected members really achieve more by asking an occasional question or moving a Tynwald motion than they could by getting there sleeves rolled up at the decision making coal face of a department? I mean …… Reall...
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Perspective 28.7.24 - is Manx agricultural in terminal decline or is there hope for the Manx food sector?
Sunday, 28 July 2024
Despite food prices having been higher in recent years Manx agriculture continues to face significant challenges. Closures of Ramsey Bakery and Shoprite have impacted on Manx food sales in the Isle of Man, the meat plant continues to face significant problems and recently the Department of Infrastructure has imposed huge increases in charges to remove fallen stock from Manx farms. On Perspective we take a trip to the Southern Agricultural Show to talk to the Manx National Farmers Union and the Department of Food and Agriculture about the current state of Manx farming and the prospects for t...
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Perspective 21.7.24 - we’re three years in to the Cannan administration but has much changed? The Chief Minister is very upbeat about the progress his government is making.
Sunday, 21 July 2024
Perspective 21.7.24 - we’re three years in to the Cannan administration but has much changed? The Chief Minister is very upbeat about the progress his government is making.We’re pretty much three years in to the Cannan administration but has much changed. There certainly seem to be a few glimmers of progress but is the change that was promised being felt yet by the people? The Chief Minister is very upbeat about the progress his government is making and you can find out why on this episode of Perspective. We’ll also consider the impact the new UK Labour government will have on Manx prospect...
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Perspective 14.7.24 - Energy and Sustainability Director’s Adrian Cowin and Ralph Peake challenge the views of controversial climate commentator Paul Burgess.
Sunday, 14 July 2024
Controversial climate scientist Paul Burgess has made several claims based on his interpretation of climate science which conflict significantly from the general consensus reached by climate scientists who say we need to act swiftly if we are to avoid our climate becoming so extreme that we will be unable to live in it. Mr Burgess refutes this consensus but on Perspective this week Adrian Cowin and Ralph Peake challenge Mr Burgess’s position. Are we all about to bake in a hotter climate? Can renewables reduce our energy bills? Lots of questions but who do you believe?
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Perspective 7.7.24 - controversial climate commentator Paul Burgess.
Sunday, 7 July 2024
While a significant majority of climate scientists are increasingly alarmed by the rapid pace of climate change, a growing proportion of voters across Europe are voting to stop climate action. That pleases Perspective's guest this week, Paul Burgess, who describes himself as a climate scientist and friend of four times gaoled, far right politician Tommy Robinson. You may be vehemently opposed to what he says or perhaps one of his big supporters - either way his views represent those of many people both here and across Europe and we would be foolish not to listen to them.
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Perspective 30.6.24 - highlights from June Tynwald.
Sunday, 30 June 2024
They say a week is a long time in politics but I hope not too long as this week’s Perspective looks at some of the June Tynwald highlights. The Chief Minister explains why belts need tightening even further if health funding is to continue to grow, Tim Glover is concerned about DoI anouncing big increases in costs for farmers - so is the Agriculture Minister. The Infrastructure Minister’s budget is tight so he’s looking for cost recovery and we find we’ve travelled full circle back to the Chief Minister looking for efficiencies. Confused? Who’d be a politician hey?
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Perspective 23.6.24 - Education Minister rejects school closures … and lots more.
Sunday, 23 June 2024
Garff MHK Daphne Caine has certainly not been short of challenges since she took up the reins at the Department of Education. Do you save £7m a year by closing primary schools and other ‘efficiencies’ or acknowledge that the backlash from those affected will be to big a political price to pay for a government which struggles to find popularity? As ever in politics there’s always much more to these decisions than the pithy headline as Mrs Caine explains on Perspective. The Chief Minister told Tynwald he’s looking for efficiencies across government so is the school closure rejection an opport...
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Perspective 16.6.24 - Chris Thomas and David Ashford preview June Tynwald
Sunday, 16 June 2024
You could be forgiven for thinking that the House of Keys is about to make an historic decision to introduce assisted dying, but is that really the case? Also as we approach the end of the third year of the current House of Keys, June Tynwald will be asked to consider three motions on housing but will any of these make any meaningful impact on the housing crisis that the Keys members were elected to address? And will the horse trams ever been seen trotting along the full length of the promenade. Tynwald certainly revving up the political debate in its post TT sitting.
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Perspective 9.6.24 - can the Manx Labour Party deliver solutions to the problems we’re facing?
Sunday, 9 June 2024
The Manx Labour Party held it’s AGM a few weeks ago so a good excuse to find out what it’s all about. Do we still need a Labour movement in the Isle of Man or has it’s time past? The Labour Party was formed in 1918 to fight against the social injustice of the time and over the century that followed it achieved much of it’s initial objectives, so what’s left to fight for? Does party politics work in the Isle of Man? Manx Labour is not affiliated to UK Labour but could it be strong enough to form a government at the 2026 general election?
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Perspective 2.6.24 - a round up of May Tynwald and confusion over Peel Town Commissioners view on housing.
Sunday, 2 June 2024
May Tynwald was a relatively brief an uncontroversial affair but even with a light Order Paper there were still a few items of interest. Some members expressing righteous indignation over Tynwald’s unwillingness to suspend its standing orders while others dismissing this as a storm in a tea cup. And what’s really happening in Peel with apparent contradictions between submissions to the North West Plan and public statements by the Commissioners. Is Council Ministers trying to keep secret, information which should be in the public domain or is the new Policy Alliance just making political mis...
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LegCo reform - can tinkering with our parliamentary structures help address the crisis we face?
Tuesday, 28 May 2024
Political think tank - Reayrtys - and Prof Peter Edge from Oxford Brookes University want to talk about reform of Legislative Council. Perspective this week asks them why? How does tinkering with our parliamentary structures help address the housing crisis, cost of living crisis and the difficulties faced by the hospitality sector. Seasoned political commentator Alastair Ramsay has seen it all before and publicly active LegCo member Tanya August-Hanson just wants to get on with the job. More political navel gazing or an essential reform to make politics work better for the people?