Perspective - Manx Radio Manx Radio

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 prospects and reflect on the Covid report and government’s response to it. While Alf Cannan is not exactly talking jam tomorrow it’s fair to say the jam today is barely enough to cover a slice of toast.

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?

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.

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?

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 opportunity missed?

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.