Legislature of the Isle of Man
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In April's Tynwald sitting the Health Minister moved a General Debate on the Mandate to Manx Care and Manx Care Operating Plan. With the recently anounced resignation of Manx Care's Chief Executive Teresa Cope, I thought it was timely to listen to highlights from the debate. Other than the Minister and Chief Minister just two MHKs took part in the debate. We hear their contributions and a gentle spat between two MLCs who also spoke on this week's Agenda. Is health spending really under control or is Tynwald just kicking that can of worms down the road?
Manx Gaelic and the state: opportunities and challenges was the title of a talk delivered last week by Dr Christopher Lewin, from the University of Edinburgh. As this is Blein ny Gaelgey - Year of the Manx Language it seems a timely opportunity to take stock of the Isle of Man's achivements in reviving our native language over the past four decades. The talk considered what further steps could be taken to consolidate the position of Manx during the course of the next Tynwald. To find out more listen in to this week's Agenda. Does Tynwald need to get its Act together on support for the Manx language?
Tynwald debated a couple of items about tourism last week. The Enterprise Minister brought a report to Tynwald on the possibility of introducing a tourism after being asked to do so by Tynwald. The report was received though not without some criticism from Onchan MHK Rob Callister. There was then a motion from Manx National Heritage on the sale of the old Castletown police station with the cash strapped heritage organisation unable to find a sustainable long term use for the building. Hear the conflicting views on these items on this week's Agenda. MNH clearly needs the money but would a tourism levy work for Manx tourism?
Perspective 26.4.26 - April Tynwald highlights In a relatively relaxed Tynwald sitting members appeared to be a little less argumentative than in recent sittings. Perhaps the calm before the election run in storm. Items discussed included a move to unify government's land and property portfolio, the state of the economy and the National Insurance Fund, and the UK government's decision not to recommend the Assisted Dying Bill for Royal Assent. We also hear about Sunday's census and why it matters. Are we facing a constitutional crisis on the Assisted Dying Bill or is it just a constitutional embarrassment?
The long and unexpectedly revolutionary history of the Tynwald, the parliament of the Isle of Man. Allegedly the oldest continuous parliament in history, it celebrated its 1000 year anniversary in 1976. Support the podcast at www.patreon.com/historyissexy Show notes and sources at www.historyissexy.com/show-notes/episode-125-whats-the-deal-with-the-tynwald
The President of Tynwald is set to stand down, after announcing his retirement from politics.We've been out in Rushen, finding out what matters most to voters, as the election draws closer.One of the latest TT debutants talks ahead of his maiden appearance.
Kirstie Morphet has certainly not allowed the grass to grow under her feet since being elected to the Legislative Council just over a year ago. She's not shy of tackling issues like homelessness and social exclusion and is not afraid of rocking the political boat to get things done. In tomorrow's LegCo sitting she'll take the lengthy Justice and Home Affairs (Reform and Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2025 through its final stage which should result in much needed reform to our criminal justice system. Find out more about this new kid on the Tynwald block on this week's Agenda. Has Tynwald found a new radical voice?
A few weeks ago we heard two of the debates from the special International Women's Day junior Tynwald sitting, at which students from the Island's secondary schools and UCM raised several issues that concern them. There were three other debates on Legal Protections and Accountability Measures to Address Gender‐Based Violence, Mental Health and Neurological Conditions and Education in Gender Discrimination which we'll hear in full on this week's Perspective. Powerful comment from voices which sadly all too often go unheard.
In Tynwald this week there appeared to be some relative calm after the choppy political waters of recent sittings. The impact of the Iran War, an urgent question on bed spaces at Nobles and the ongoing work at the White Hoe were covered in question time. There was also a heated debate about the future of the post office an interesting discussion on scrutiny of government's response to Tynwald decisions and the Horse Trams trotted a little closer to the finishing line. That's all squeezed in to this week's Perspective. No neigh sayers on this week's show.
Some reassurance from Manx Care's Health Director about bed capacity, a heated Tynwald exchange about Post Office services and could the future of a hall in Baldrine be at risk?It's a round-up of the day's news with Beth Espey.
The day's main news with Beth Espey including some reassurance for parents after a meningitis outbreak in the UK and the latest from Tynwald.
Last week in a special International Women's Day junior Tynwald sitting, students from the Island's secondary schools and UCM raised several issues that are important to them and really should be important to us all. The students voices were very powerful and the evidence presented was quite shocking. We'll hear two of the debates, on Gaps in Women's Healthcare and Period Poverty, on Perspective this week, and the other three debates on a future show. It takes a lot to move and inspire me in political discourse these days and these debates succeeded on both counts.
Democracy.... has Tynwald lost it's power as the highest court of the land? An Iranian history lesson and more.. all on Mannin Line with Alex sitting in for Andy.
The Legislative Council considered four Bills at it's sitting last week including Bills covering Gambling Legislation, Public Records, Income Tax and Employment. Legislation tends to be the poor relation of all the duties performed by Tynwald but it really does influence all our lives. In an attempt to bring these Bills alive to you Agenda spoke with MLCs Gary Clueit and Tanya August-Phillips. E-gaming represents a big part of our economy so it's important Tynwald gets the regulation right and what's not to like about cementing Income Tax rules so that large international companies based here pay a bit back to fund government services?
Fed up with all the hype and spin surrounding last week's budget? Still not entirely sure what the budget was supposed to deliver? Agenda caught up with the Treasury Minister before his budget was debated in Tynwald to find out what he hoped it will achieve and why it was formed in the way we eventually saw last Tuesday. To find out what he thought before he had to react to public comment listen to this week's Agenda. It's understandable that Chris Thomas maybe isn't fully behind a budget that was largely constructed before he got there but he puts on a pretty good show of sounding convincing.
What did the Treasury Minister actually deliver in last Tuesday's Tynwald sitting? Was it a give away pre-election budget through prudent use of reserves to help kick start the economy or a reckless raid on government's hard earned savings. I suspect the answer lies somewhere between the two but what did Tynwald members make of it? What is clear is the vast majority of earners will be better off in the next tax year but is the continued use of reserves sustainable? Hopefully the extra money the government is keen to stuff in our back pockets won't come at a cost after the election.
Government finances have read a little like recent weather forecasts, with a gloomy outlook, risk of budget overtopping particularly in health, and economic storms battering our sparse reserves. One former Treasury Minister who wasn't afraid to grapple with the economic challenges of the day was Eddie Teare. He talks to Perspective about how he went about preparing a budget and considers what next week's Budget might deliver. As if economic circumstances were'nt bad enough the aftermath of last month's sackings has caused some disaffection in Tynwald ranks. Will next week's Budget include brighter spells and sunny uplands?
Our new Steam Packet vessel, Junara's takeover of manx.net, Bishop's vote in Tynwald, local government allegations, RingGo airport parking app, Island-wide DAB radio & the prevalence of dog-fouling. It's Mannin Line with Andy Wint - Thursday 29th January 2026
The day's main news in under 30 minutes with Beth Espey - and today we hear why it might not be quite over for the Bishop's vote in Tynwald.
Depending on which side of the growing divide in Manx politics you sit, last week was the best of times or the worst of times. As the old Treasury Minister faced the Cannan guillotine a new Treasury Minister rose back up from the political abyss. So what can Chris Thomas really achieve in the relatively short eight months he has as new Treasury Minister? And was departing Treasury Minister Alex Allinson naively persuing his personal ideology or pragmatically implementing what Tynwald thought it wanted? Find out on this evening's extended Agenda. Are we heading to a political winter of despair or is a spring of hope just round the corner?
What Tynwald lacked in length this week it more than made up for in big announcements and policy changes. The Order Paper soon had the hefty addition of a statement on the Chief Minister's reshuffle with two Ministers either ‘stepping down' or being sacked depending on who you listened to. While Alf Cannan's statement and a cooling in enthusiasm on the living wage grabbed the headlines, homelessness, the Island's cattle health status and a call for a forensic audit of health were also covered. Is that the popular sound of a screeching u-turn I hear?
More about the fall out from the Chief Minister's reshuffle and his urgent statement in Tynwald and the first public reaction from the sacked DOI Minister.
It's Blue Monday - what better time to sack some ministers.The chief minister's carried out a major reshuffle of his Council of Ministers, a day before Tynwald, and a month away from the Budget.
Onchan MHK Rob Callister was in the Falkland Islands last month as part of a Commonwealth Parliametary Association team of election observers. You'll be pleased to know this visit was not funded by the tax payer but you may be interested to know what the Isle of Man can learn from such trips. Mr Callister tells us all about the trip on Agenda. With a 90% turn out in Falklands elections it seems trust in politicians is much higher there than it is here. Unlike here they don't call each other clowns in the Falklands government but is it ok for us to call Tynwald members clowns …. or just think it but don't say it out loud?
Happy New Year !!! Ronaldsway Airport snow closure and assorted woes, Local Government Amendment Bill, benefit payments confusion, government political accountability & Bishop's Tynwald vote latest. It's Mannin Line with Andy Wint - Monday 5th January 2026
Stu Peters tried to persuade Tynwald to ask the public what they think of Tynwald and government's net zero policies. As the overwhelming majority of Tynwald members back the net zero initiatives they rejected the referendum call and suggested this will be better settled at the 2026 election. Chris Thomas narrowly missed out on persuading Tynwald to reopen gas exploration and John Wannenburgh succeeded in persuading Tynwald and government to do more to back Manx produce. Was Tynwald right to reject the referendum call and instead rely on who you choose as your MHK to make the right decision?
December Tynwald extended into a third day with members keen to milk every minute of debating time as we enter election year. Questions strayed into a lively debate on the state of the Manx economy, with Ministers doing their best to look for positives while questioners being a little less optimistic. There was also a question on support for first time buyers with several members trying to pin the blame for the very slow pace of change on either their predecessors or successors. Plenty of stars rising in the East in this week's Tynwald.
Climate Change has dominated proceedings in Tynwald today - we'll wrap up exactly what has been saidThe Department of Home Affairs has responded to online calls for the resignations of its Minister and Prison GovernorAnd are we happy? The latest Social Attitudes Survey results have been published by the Isle of Man Government
You may have noticed that local authorities have been sharpening their pitchforks and gathering fiery brands as they attempt to oppose a new piece of law which would give government power to impose functions and standards on them. Government's position appears to be that local Commissioners and Councillors shouldn't be able to shirk their statutory responsibilities and Legislative Council has been drafted in to try to broker the peace. Also, a Tynwald committee is gently nudging government to properly register all the land it owns. Does government know what it owns? Pitchforks at dawn on a misty field that may or may not belong to government. A Perspective not to be missed.
rWotD Episode 3130: Office of the Data Protection Supervisor Welcome to random Wiki of the Day, your journey through Wikipedia's vast and varied content, one random article at a time.The random article for Friday, 28 November 2025, is Office of the Data Protection Supervisor.The Isle of Man Information Commissioner (Manx: Oik Oaseir Coadey Fysseree) is the national data protection authority for the Isle of Man under the Data Protection Act 2002 (an Act of Tynwald). The office was originally created as the Isle of Man Data Protection Registrar by the Data Protection Act 1986. The present holder is Mr Iain McDonald, who is in his fourth 5-year term, having been initially appointed in January 2003. The Office is funded by the Treasury, but is independent of the Isle of Man Government.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:20 UTC on Friday, 28 November 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Office of the Data Protection Supervisor on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Bluesky at @wikioftheday.com.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm generative Ruth.
Bishop's vote in Tynwald latest, Mooir Vannin wind farm objections, Douglas In Gloom for Christmas, Mount Murray road pods, progress on Castle Mona building & the Douglas and Onchan 20mph Traffic Regulation Order. It's Mannin Line with Andy Wint - Wednesday 26th November 2025
The Area Plan for the North and West would have completed the planning picture for the Island but it was defeated in and extraordinary vote in Tynwald with both Keys and LegCo tied - 12 - 12 and 4 - 4 which meant the President of Tynwald had to use his casting vote which by convention means voting against change? So what happened in Tynwald and why did Tynwald vote to defeat this plan which was the result of around five years hard work by officers. On Agenda we hear some of the highlights of this unprecedented debate. Was there some filibustering going on? Was government complacent? Were the Tynwald members who voted against right to demand facts and detail to back up the shaky housing figures?
What some thought would be a quick and relatively pain free Tynwald sitting turned into a two-and-a-half day marathon which saw all manner of unexpected and shock votes.Castle Rushen High School, MONEYVAL, disincentives to maintain empty properties and MiCard are just a few of the biggest talking points.Christian Jones goes through them in a bit more detail in Perspective.
All the latest from Tynwald in tonight's episode including what's happened to the North and West Area plan.More debate about MiCards, we hear about the Sports Awards nominations opening and we meet a dog who likes to visit cathedrals.
In October Tynwald members agreed to a slightly watered down proposal to tie the minimum wage to the living wage. This led to the Local Economy Forum holding a lively meeting which, while highly critical of government and Tynwald's decision, suggested a change to tax allowances and credits which would see the lowest paid taking home slightly more money and government and the private sector sharing the burden. Lawrie Hooper spoke against the Tynwald compromise and Chris Robertshaw led the private sector charge against. They talk to Perspective. A lively exchange to whet your appetite for Sunday dinner with a surprising outcome for pudding.
The Bishop's vote in Legislative Council and Tynwald may disappear, hear opinion and views both for and against plus it's Bonfire Night so watch out for hedgehogs tonight. It's Mannin Line with Andy Wint - Wednesday 5th November 2025
Chamber of Commerce on the economy, non-smart meter reading charge, new living wage reaction, Bishop's vote in Tynwald latest, our pollution figures & possible VAT reductions. It's Mannin Line with Andy Wint - Monday 3rd November 2025
The Government's Transport Strategy was considered by Tynwald last month and while there was no request for it to be supported it was merely noted by our politicians. Where does leave the strategy if it's not supported by Tynwald? Also why did Tynwald pick one of the highest year's for green house gas emissions as the base line on which future emissions reductions are referenced? Has Tynwald done a disservice to itself in not acknowledging significant impacts of previous political actions to reduce climate harming emissions? Is our transport strategy on a road to nowhere and should emissions reduction targets be allowed to go up in smoke?
The latest from the Steam Packet after a 'chaotic' sailing from Liverpool to Douglas leaves some passengers injured and vehicles damaged.Reaction from businesses after Tynwald approves a rise in the minimum wage.And the Western Vikings rugby club has issued an urgent appeal for new players.
The Area Plan for the North and West was defeated by three votes in last week's Tynwald sitting and while it remains possible that it could scrape through in the November sitting it will require all of Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford's political guile to make that happen. So why has it failed? On Agenda this week Chris Thomas and Paul Craine explain what their concerns are and even the Treasury Minister acknowledges weaknesses in the process. With no plan B, defeat of the plan means the north and west are relying on plans now several decades old. Is Tynwald playing high stakes poker with our planning system?
October Tynwald highlights this week. Questions pondered how people will cope when the MiCard system is scrapped and whether the Manx economy is in recession. A new Child First Policy was received by Tynwald and there was unanimous support for a call to introduce a comprehensive program of neurodiversity training in Manx schools.
Manx Radio's Christian Jones will be reporting live from the Chamber on the third day of questions and debate since Tynwald returned following the summer recessThere are changes to next year's Classic TT programme - Rob Pritchard will be explaining the differencesAnd the Police respond after Manx Radio questioned elderly people yesterday if they feel safe walking the Island's streets at night
The Enterprise Minister's apologised to hoteliers for comments he made during July's sitting of TynwaldMeanwhile,the Health Minister's also saying sorry for inaccuracies in a Tynwald response regarding Ramsey's Minor Injury Unit.And Treasury's being urged to ensure those who use the MiCard system can still obtain their funds once it closes down.It's Update on Manx Radio with Dave Moore for Wednesday, 22 October.
Tynwald returns after a three months recess - we recap the main talking points from the opening day of October's sitting.And Manx.Net e-mail users will no longer be able to use the service for free from next year.All that and more on Update on Manx Radio with Dave Moore.
Internet problems today from AWS, Tynwald back soon, minimum wage v living wage, Axnfell Plantation meeting on Wednesday, 'Pay It Forward' café charity scheme & that Simcocks Area Plan letter. It's Mannin Line with Andy Wint - Monday 20th October 2025
Tynwald's Environment and Infrastructure Committee held an evidence session with officers from the MUA last week and there were several revelations which should be of interest to us all. A thousand Manx households are contributing 7 megawatts of renewable energy to the Manx grid and the MUA is working closely with private sector renewable energy projects in the south and north of the Island. So what does this mean for future energy production for the Isle of Man? Has government been too focussed on renewable energy production and not clear enough in helping the MUA understand future energy usage. The vital sparks at the MUA reveal all.
Liberal Vannin Party leader and former health minister Lawrie Hooper leads a somewhat lonely life as the only Liberal Vannin member in Tynwald. As a party of one he recognises his influence is limited but feels passionately that party politics is the best way to ensure our politicians are held accountable for their actions. Could party politics work for us? I guess Lawrie will need to lead more than just himself to demonstrate that to us.
A new women-only running group has been launched to tackle catcalling and harassment.MPs return to Westminster next week, but MHKs aren't back until October - one Tynwald member says Manx politicians are away for too long.The domestic football season kicks off tomorrow - we'll have the teams to look out for.
Bashing government handling of public sector pensions used to be top of the list for wannabe MHKs looking for an easy vote winning target so what if anything has changed? The deficit between contributions and payments will be around £48 million this year that's slightly less than the net spend for the Department of Infrastructure so it remains a substantial sum but the Public Sector Pensions Authority argue that the Tynwald approved plan is getting this spending under control. Are gold plated government pensions really a thing of the past? It seems so.
Junior Tynwald included some searching questions about 20mph zones, health spending and government spending on water and electricity infrastructure. On Agenda we'll hear these questions and those we've not yet squeezed in to previous programs. We also hear from Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson - a former Junior Tynwald member on the importance of this annual sitting and what Tynwald members get up to when sittings stop for the summer recess. Keys members do like to be beside the seaside but they've got plenty of hefty committee reports as their holiday reading.