Agenda - Manx Radio Manx Radio

Looking for some straight talking no nonsense politician to say it how it is? Well, a semi-retired former MHK is pulling no punches when it comes to government’s housing policy. Peter Karran has written to the new Housing Board Chair, David Ashford, with some clear policy ideas to try to find housing solutions for the many Manx workers who continue to struggle to find affordable homes. Is this a return to front line politics for Mr Karran or a genuinely heartfelt attempt to intervene positively to resolve the housing crisis. Cut through his rhetoric and there are some pretty good policies which David Ashford would be wise to consider!

Departmental Plans came in for a bit of stick in Tynwald last week but are they the “meaningless drivel” that John Rimmington once described his Department’s plan about twenty years ago? Speaker Watterson didn’t quite go that far but it is fair to say he wasn’t impressed. The Department of Education’s was one of the plans he criticised so what did Minister Edge make of the criticism? We also hear about a rather disturbing case of some one with deep pockets using the legal system to financially ruin one of Stu Peter’s constituents. Are the government’s plans meaningless nonsense or a valiant attempt to keep Department’s accountable?

A bit of déjà vu  on Agenda this week as the Bishop’s vote is once more called into question this time by the House of Keys who narrowly voted to allow Lawrie Hooper to introduce a private member’s Bill to remove the vote from the Bishop. Mr Hooper was accused of having malevolent purpose and being distracted by trivial matters when he should be getting on with the day job of fixing health services. We consider the latest debate on Agenda. Is the vote of the non elected Bishop any different to the votes of the other eight democratically unaccountable LegCo members? Or is this a necessary change to bring our parliament into the 21st Century?

The Isle of Man Government Risks Fanning the Flames of a World on Fire according to the Green Party’s Andrew Langan Newton but is he right? The claim is made as government looks to vary the conditions of Crogga’s gas exploration licence which has received intense scrutiny in recent Keys sittings. There does seem to be a growing chorus of international organisations and governments suggesting that further attempts to find fossil fuels will cause real danger to the future of humanity but is this just scaremongering? More screetchy green washing or a wake up call for our future - you decide?

The Cooish drew to a close yesterday after yet another successful week of events associated with the Manx language. So what do those attending this Manx language festival think about the language and its place in Island life. The language has grown in numbers of speakers, learning resources and activities over the past three decades but how relevant is it to modern life in the Isle of Man? Is it as some suggest a waste of time and money, or does it hold an essential place at the heart of Manx culture and identity? No prizes for guessing what Phil Gawne thinks!

Manx Care has been in the news lately more for its troubles than successes. One of Manx Care’s board members expressed concern at what our Health Services would become if doesn’t receive a substantial budgetary increase. Questions have been asked about whether indeed the separation of services from the Health Department to Manx Care is working. The Health Minister had a very public spat with his consultative committee and is planning to change their terms of reference in Tynwald next week. The Minister gives his warts and all assessment on Agenda. £20 - £30 million funding gap and Manx Care under fire. Who’d be the Health Minister?