Phil Gawne offers a weekly insight into Manx politics, interviewing current and former politicians about issues in Tynwald and the House of Keys, while exploring the broader world of politics and government operations.
Agenda 24.8.26 - when is a housing crisis not a housing crisis and do we need a target population of 100,000 people? Despite the hastily watered down rhetoric on a population target of a hundred thousand people that figure remains as a government ambition on which future planning is based. So why aren’t Keys candidates talking about it? Do they or don’t they support this aspiration? Is it even…
Alistair Ramsay is back this week to discuss an issue not really mentioned so far in the election. Should rates and local government reform be higher up the political agenda? Why has every attempt so far failed to reform a Rates system which is generally regarded as outdated and unfair? Does anyone really know what local and central government are actually responsible for? Call me radical if you…
There will be eight Keys seats undefended at the general election one of which belongs to Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover. He looks back on his five years in office, compares what he’s learned as an MHK with what he thought before he was elected and admits to some frustrations along the way. He gives good advice to wannabe MHKs and helps us the voters understand what’s reasonable to…
In the latest of our pre-election broadcasts we’re looking at tax. One way to fill the £100m gap in government finances would be to pay more tax, but what could a future government do to boost its income? Tax is seen by many as an inhibitor to the enterprise needed to grow our economy, so tax rises need to be considered very carefully. Find out more about Manx taxes on this week’s Agenda. Over…
If Bill Clinton was right in saying “it’s the economy, stupid” then we could be in for a very interesting election. Global financial and political factors have had a big impact on the Manx economy but could the Isle of Man Government have done more. Why does economic growth matter so much for government finances and making us all feel happier? Are we living through a period economic stagnation…
In our pre-election series of handy guides to understanding the big election issues this week’s Agenda looks at health and social care. Most of the candidates seem to think that Manx Care is the problem rather than the solution and with the eyewatering amounts being poured in to health they may have a point. Is it time now though for a very frank discussion about whether our current expectations…
With the general election just over two months away Agenda will be focussing on what we can reasonably expect to see in prospective MHKs manifestos. How should our expectations differ between sitting MHKs’ election promises and those entering politics for the first time? Is it fair to blame the civil service for government failures and how much of that blame should be placed on outgoing MHKs’…
Continuing on my recent attempt to convince you that politics is quite exciting on tonight’s Agenda we have a quashed mini-revolt in LegCo, when is a rates Bill not a rates Bill and one of the best speeches in June Tynwald. Pharmacists are concerned about changes being proposed in the National Health Service Reform Bill 2026 but attempts by one MLC to support their cause did not convince a…
Despite neither Tynwald nor the public knowing why Royal Assent wasn’t granted amendments were moved which according to the Attorney General were all that’s needed to get the greenlight from the UK. We hear from mover of the Bill Alex Allinson and some of its critics on this week’s Agenda. There is little doubt that this legislation has been controversial and there remains some doubt about whether…
A Rushen hustings meeting will be held this Thursday evening to give people an opportunity to raise in a public forum the issues they think should be a priority for the next government. In what is a fairly novel approach this meeting is not called by candidates and doesn’t invite candidates to share their views with the public, but instead it invites the public to share their views on what really…
Renewable energy firm IPV Flexgen will be hosting a public consultation at Andreas Parish Hall on Wednesday between 10.00am and 7.00pm to share updated proposals for the redevelopment of Andreas Airfield. This farmer led project includes agricultural growing units, an Anaerobic Digestor plant, ground mounted solar PV and battery storage to provide the site with electricity and heat. Could this…
