How Howard saved the Manx lifeline

I was in the local watering hole one evening this week discussing the relative merits of writers Yevgeny Zamyatin and Franz Kafka with a colleague when an ernest patron nearby interjected to ask my views on the Steam Packet purchase. I’m touched that the views of an ageing septuagenarian are thought valid but also think ominously my views will not chime with those of ‘the man in the street’. I replied that I thought it was a good move which as I expected seemed to induce consternation.

I’m seen I suppose as a constant critic of government but you have to be churlish in the extreme not to recognise on occasion that they may have got something right even if Alf Cannan MHK appears to be a driving force and my views on Alf can be irrational.

Of course there are all kinds of whys and wherefores such as why not wait until nearer the cut-off date for the user agreement and why buy ships which are past their sell by date, But I suppose the government has to be given credit sometimes for acting expeditiously and I prefer them securing the Island sea lifeline more than the ‘pie in the bay’ proposal to build some ghastly cruise terminal at Douglas. The whole point for the pathetic souls who go on cruises and shoot polar bears is that everything is ‘all in’ cost wise so the idea that thousands of cruise visitors are going to pour ashore and enrich our economy is ludicrous.

Sticking with the Steam Packet issue I suppose my one worry is the Manx governments fixation with Liverpool and of course in that vein the resident doom mongers TRAVELWATCH have been alluded to all sorts of dire scenarios.

Personally provided the Island has an efficient shipping service capable of connecting us to our two large neighbouring Islands I couldn’t care where they dock it can be Heysham or Holyhead, Larne or Warrenpoint. I certainly don’t think the Manx government should pay to much heed to those who want to go shopping in Liverpool City Centre, go to the match or visit the family in ‘the old country’.

Much derided these days in years to come we will probably marvel at how Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK saved the Island lifeline!

Image: The great man

Bernard Moffatt