Bashing their head on the Newsroom console

Pity the denizens of the news and news magazine section of Manx Radio. To ensure that programmes have a broad reach - in terms of subject content - they have to have every ‘Tim’, Dick or Harry pontificating on the airwaves.

Of course such a strategy must lead to moments when the interviewer wants to bash his head on the newsroom console or yearn for a days leave.

Such I would imagine occurred recently when Tim Baker MHK was interviewed about the SAVE strategy. Baker who I rather unkindly christened ‘John the Baptist’ due to his religious predilictions would seem to be the Treasury member charged with selling these changes to the Manx public.

Tim avers that SAVE is not about cuts in this clip (link);

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/save-scheme-not-about-cuts/

However as is always the case this is complete tosh. Of course SAVE is about cuts and if implemented in full is going to lead to them.

The government have been saying for several years now they need to save money if only to balance the budget. It's no secret times are hard and unfortunately Alf (and the Treasury team) will not take the initiatives that would ensure a full and accurate tax gain to the exchequer. Certain areas are still off limits I mean it's almost two years now since I wrote to Alf about the businesses expenses culture and the black economy but still no reply. The Treasury Minister has a white out on the issue or else is suffering from some fiscal mental derangement.

I eagerly dash to the hall every time the postperson arrives but other than the odd utility bill nothing. Examining the email inbox their may be a response from DEFA. the Department of Enterprise or even the Chief Minister but Alf stays stoically silent.

Of course even if Alf does eventually balance the books so that those who should are paying their correct share of tax the government will still struggle with its finances.

The public are astute enough to realise that the VAT return cuts dealt a body blow to our fiscal elbow room. Given that level of public maturity it's unfortunate folk like Tim Baker MHK do not treat the public and indeed Tynwald colleagues with the same maturity. However don’t hold your breath - the mantra that you can SAVE without savaging public services will continue and so will the head banging at Manx Radio!

Image: Tim Baker MHK