Manx contracts for Manx business and Manx jobs for Manx workers!

Do we really want ‘a ghastly Chamber of Commerce inspired feudal Statelet where the wealth of the Isle of Man continues to be stolen from its people by a small coterie abled assisted by COMIN (Council of Ministers)!’

As the Mec Vannin yesterday evening meeting drew to a close after several hours ruminating over the machinations of the Quayle government and its ‘Chamber buddies’ the direction for nationalism was tabled.

At the moment there is a general swing towards nationalism across Europe with big gains for right wing nationalist parties particularly in the former Eastern bloc countries but also in previously liberal democracies like France, Denmark and Sweden.

Celtic nationalism as epitomised by Plaid in Wales, the SNP in Scotland and Mec Vannin and Mebyon Kernow in the smaller Celtic countries aspires to a model of ‘inclusive civic nationalism’ rather than the xenophobic populism that is the driving force elsewhere.

Frankly and personally I would be disappointed if we wedded ourselves as a movement to outright populism that sometimes fuels the most undesirable xenophobia we see in national movements elsewhere i.e. Hungary.

However speak to the man or small businessman in the street and they often think the Isle of Man should look after its own and does not do enough in that regard. Personally I believe jobs for Manx workers should be protected and business advantage here should not be via grants and loans to grease the wheels for external business but should advantage our own established Manx business.

Maybe it is time that a degree of populism was embraced to the extent that we turn back a tide that has resulted in Manx people or long time residents unable to properly support their families.

Of course it would be disappointing if the type of ‘civic and inclusive nationalism’ that has inspired both established nationalists in Mec Vannin and the unaligned ones who in many instances entered the Keys were to disappear. However what is the alternative a ghastly Chamber of Commerce inspired feudal Statelet where the wealth of the Isle of Man continues to be stolen from its people by a small coterie ably assisted by COMIN!

Image: ‘I don’t want to live in a Chamber of Commerce feudal Statelet’!

Bernard Moffatt