Howard the 'shooting star' of the Chamber of Commerce AGM

Although you can count on Manx Radio News to bore us rigid with what transpires at the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce AGM later this week it will be something of a feat of journalistic genius because the AGM itself lasts just 90 minutes and for part of that time they are stuffing their faces. Yes you heard it here - the Chamber are pigging out as Manx food banks ‘thrive’!

Chief Minister Howard Quayle will be there of course (who said there is no such thing as a free lunch) but for once Howard can be a man of a few words as close of delegate registration until close of AGM hardly allows time for him to get up to the rate of speed he manages in the Moultons periodic interviews. Howard is the star guest but as befits his status he gets a walk on part - a shooting star you could say

Indeed when you think about it the Chamber AGM is probably better choreographed than some congresses in totalitarian regimes so you wonder what it is they don’t want their ordinary punters (which or course this year includes Manx Radio) to know about. Lets face it most marginal beekeeping societies have an AGM that can last more than 90 mins and they are just talking about...beekeeping. The Chamber on the other hand has its fingers in more pies than little Jack Horner.

If I was your ordinary Chamber punter I would want to know why they Central Committee allow such little time for report and debate. However I’m looking at the Chamber via the prism of a normal human being whereas for the most parts their members are just looking at the front table and hoping it keeps the pound notes flowing from government.

That's the secret of the Chamber you see they are not interested in discourse as long as the conduits and tentacles into government and Alfs Treasury remain clear.

They are in a word selfish greedy buggers unconcerned with anything other than gain and in any case wasting more than 90 mins at an AGM is time lost from the real job in hand making money - pass the cheese!

Image: 'Yes I'll have all the courses where do I sit'

Bernard Moffatt