Harmer having a bad week...Then 'Travelwitch' come along

I can be somewhat zany I have an irrational habit of hurling any missives from government immediately into the pedal bin which can have unforeseen consequences. Some of the offspring have remonstrated with me over this and I suppose it is a tad irrational. However just as I start to think that I’m slightly loopy some really zany individuals appear.

I mean of course ‘Travelwitch’ and I could have put money yesterday (and won) on the fact that they would pop up on Manx Radio today after yesterday's Liverpool berth announcement by Ray Harmer:

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/travelwatch-responds-to-...

‘Travelwitch’ seem to have some sort of franchise arrangement with Manx Radio News and they have become to travel what Bill Dale is to beach litter.

Anyway despite the fact that Harmer has had a bad week already (leaving aside his tram ride with Jason Moorhouse MHK and the Lt Governor) ‘Travelwitch’ can’t wait to get in on the act and as always they know best.

Personally I think links with the North West of England went down hill when the boat between Romsey and Cumbria back in the days of sail ended and certainly the delights of Heysham or Liverpool leave me cold. Why didn’t the government just opt for Holyhead after they bought the Packet after all there is a perfectly serviceable rail link from their all the way to Moscow if you need it.

A lot of what ‘Travelwitch’ say is conjecture as John Moss remarked recently in a ‘portal’ interview during which he described them as ‘respected’. I recall the episode well as it induced a fit of choking in me which all most had me going on my final journey. I muse maybe John is a tad irrational as well. Moss sought to elicit if ‘Travelwitch’ ask Harmer about these things instead of blasting them out of the radio. Apparently Harmer and his Director of Ports (DOP) Ann Reynolds were/are forthcoming but despite the best efforts of the DOP ‘Travelwitch’ are still rabbiting away on the airwaves like a school of porpoises trapped in the Mersey.

I may ring the inestimably charming Ms Reynolds and say;

“For goodness Ann sake tell them what they want to know and maybe they’ll shut up”!

Returning to the latest interview itself it was curious. It sounded almost as if it was being read of a prepared text or...God no! don’t tell me Manx have a ‘Travelwitch’ autocue in the portal now!

Come on John, Tim...what happened to hard hitting journalism….never mind Harmer get ‘Travelwitch’ in and give them the Paxman treatment.

Image: Ray Harmer Minister for Transport just when I thought he would start smiling again Travelwatch come along.

Bernard Moffatt