Karran's straight talking will discomfort the regime...But change...Well!

KARRAN’S STRAIGHT TALKING WILL DISCOMFORT THE REGIME - BUT CHANGE...WELL!

‘A former MHK says the current Manx government is not open, not accountable, and not responsible in its actions.’ So says the story on Manx Radio as Peter Karran who was a member of Tynwald long enough to become the sort of institution in politics that Terry Cringle is to Manx journalism in a broadside.

Peter who was a thorn in the side of many Manx regimes for decades (leaving aside a short flirtation as a Minister) was well respected topping the electoral count in most contests he was involved in. His mutterings match the mood of discontent found generally now throughout the Island.

I’ve long been an opponent of Manx governments but I don’t think the disenchantment with administrations was ever as deep seated as it is now. The previous administration of Allan Bell was unpopular - albeit Bell in his characteristic dismissive style averred this was par for the course with all Manx regimes - however this Tynwald came in with a new ‘House of Cards’ and much hope for reform.

Karrans criticism is as much a condemnation of hopes for reform unrealised as of Howards somewhat stuffy Council of Ministers. Certainly his claim that government is detached and unaccountable flies in the face of assertions by ‘bagman in Chief’ of the Quayle administration Reform Minister Chris Thomas MHK so it will be interesting to see if Thomas will raise his eyes from the latest set of statistics he is poring over to respond.

Karran was oft maligned over the years but he had a longevity in Manx politics that outpaced most of his political rivals. The current administration will possibly regard his intervention as an irritant and it will be to much to hope that some of the newbies inspired by his record will seek to emulate him. Karan in avuncular fashion warns of the danger of just going with the flow ‘ we can’t afford that he says’. He’s right but will anyone in what is a very self focused Tynwald listen - sadly I think not! This government seems unmoved by criticism and indifferent to suffering. I mean who would have thought two decades ago in Karrans political heyday that food banks would be the norm - no one. Yet today they are established part of Manx Life as the soup kitchen was almost a century ago.

Karran's intervention is likely to discomfort the government but not rock it. The real nemesis for this regime is sadly its own arrogance rather than former politicians or keyboard warriors like ‘moi’. However nemesis there will be although as population figures show some do not want to wait for fate to deal with this callous Tynwald.

Link:

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/former-mhk-blasts-irresp...

Image: Former MHK and Minister Peter Karran

Bernard Moffatt