Allan In Wonderland (With apologies to Lewis Carroll)

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

‘What we need is a broadcast media on the Isle of Man which is ‘fit for purpose for the next thirty or more years’. Convince the public that what it is getting is truth and not rehashed sanitised government press releases and the trolls will go away.’

The Manx Chief Minister has been speaking about the road ahead he said:

‘I’m committed to change the culture of government and the traditional way of doing things. We have to continue to do this if we are going to provide a modern government fit for purpose for the next 30 or more years.’

He was commenting on the recent demise of an Island government pay negotiating forum but listening to his view you would think that government had some impressive change agenda that was not just going to transform the Islands government but also Island life generally.

Sadly the truth is somewhat different and despite the Chief Ministers close relationship with narcissistic elements of the media that seem to broadcast his words like ‘the gospel of St Paul’ he cannot paper over the cracks.

The island is run down and not just physically, although the governments seems to realise that is a problem as well hence its desire to pave the streets of Island towns with uniform paving blocks. No the malaise runs much deeper. Despite its deep unpopularity the government and Tynwald seems incapable of reforming the one institution that could make a major difference – itself.

The debacle of the Legco elections earlier this year showed clearly how bankrupt, if not corrupt, the present system is. The government’s disease has moved on into local government and with Councillors ejected due to an electoral ‘slight of hand’ with the voters register new replacements were achieved without any contest. Put bluntly people don’t seem to believe in or want the democracy on offer in the Isle of Man circa 2015. As if to reinforce this several by-elections for the Keys recently have attracted less interest than a parish ploughing match!

Desperate for solutions before ‘the House of Cards’ collapses around them the government and Chief Minister spew out policies. A new round of growth, 15,000 extra workers – well maybe not! A 50 million pound investment fund, only no one wants to invest so the government must use its reserves – but these are reserves it doesn’t really have if current liabilities are factored in.

Oh well if the worst comes to the worst just ramble on about the Lt Governor and the splendid job he is doing – and of course that ever compliant microphone is always on hand.

That’s really the problem Chief Minister it’s not the trolls (or to be fair to you an element of the trolls bent on personal abuse) you complained about. It’s the absence of a vigorous and investigative scrutiny of government by the media. Now there’s a thought with newspapers on the wane that’s what we need is a broadcast media on the Isle of Man which is ‘fit for purpose for the next thirty or more years’.

Convince the public that what it is getting is truth and not rehashed sanitised government press releases and the trolls will go away.

Until then I’m afraid it’s ‘Allan in Wonderland’ in daily episodes.

BERNARD MOFFATT

Issued by the Celtic News

02/09/15

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