'Illusory rhetoric' or constructive criticism?

James Corrin at IOM News and Politics forwards an exchange between himself and reform Minister Chris Thomas MHK. Although I’m not a member of IOM News he shares some issues across and also carries some of Celtic League or my personal Transceltic ‘mutterings’

In the item I mention Minister Thomas takes issue with some of Corrins assertions about a lack of action over current social problems - although I’m bound to stay much of the response to these concerns indicates that the government position is still ‘a work in progress’ and all Corrin is doing is reflecting a wider public impatience,

The Minister then concludes by decrying what he calls ‘illusory rhetoric’ and says ‘join the debate’

Like myself Corrin was in the Trade Union movement for decades. He, I and many more Trade Union activist did not just ‘join the debate’ we improved the lot of working people to the extent that terms and conditions were transformed over the years. My own view is that since about ten years ago things have marked time of gone backwards.

It’s not ‘a debate’ that is needed its action from the Manx government and I don’t think hectoring or lecturing those who speak out is helpful.

As I remarked in a item posted yesterday it is the government principally at the level of the Chief Minister, Treasury Minister and Reform Minister who control the levers that can implement meaningful change. With the support of Tynwald they should be able to tackle the three main scourges, food, fuel poverty and homelessness.

Of course no one is expecting them to make an impact overnight but again as highlighted earlier these problems have been with us for sometime.

I had not frankly assumed I would still have to be speaking out long after retirement and I suppose nor had James Corrin. As for ‘joining debates’ I’m only too happy to engage and had a meeting with Chris Thomas the other day which was very constructive. Of course neither of us accused the other of ‘illusory rhetoric’ and that helped!

I think the Minister and any other politician should take ‘pause for thought’ and draw back from levelling that accusation at others.

The Isle of Man will be a bad place if criticism particularly of government is discouraged. It will also make it that more difficult to achieve the consensus that ultimately resolves these thorny social issues we ALL confront.

Image; Minister Chris Thomas MHK

Bernard Moffatt