Shake me up Judy

Good post code99. I've said this so many times but we don't have a functional democracy on the Island. It's a Manx oligarchy and always has been. Just look where the money goes and who gets what. Our upper chamber is just a grace and favour retirement home for second pensions and top ups. When did they last send anything back to the Keys or go against CoMin ? They keep their mouth shut, do as they're told and get a lovely fat income for it. The Keys are little better. They get to debate and strut their stuff but they don't control the agenda and they're denied the real power and decision making. It doesn't matter who the people elect, it doesn't make any real difference. Bishop V Hooper is just a fairground sideshow.

I think it was a bit longer ago than 2017 Albert. Can't remember the year but it would've been before then when he last played the Villa. I was trying to remember if the original Cockney Rebel played the Lido in '73/74. Can anyone recall ?

Sounds like you've made up your mind already, but yes, I've been there, got the tee-shirt, and got out. I only describe what I've seen and witnessed over many years.

Politicians pressing the Department ? That's a laugh. Do you think they'd take any notice anyway ? There's always a roundabout way of doing nothing while looking like you're doing something.

Too many kids with their smartphone in one hand and a vape in the other - all day long. Some are tripping off to the toilet in every lesson and gaming the system. The teachers and the school leaders can't stop them and they all know it. The Education Department won't back the schools on this because they don't want loads of kids suspended or expelled. The last head teacher at Ballakermeen who stood up to the kids was retired early very shortly after. Mr Corrin is absolutely right on this but he'll get no support from the Dept; the parents; the kids; most of his staff; or the public. He's in an impossible position that he can't win. I wish him well though, he's a good man trying to do the right thing.

If you're a Muslim you keep your head covered and your mouth shut. It's better that way. It doesn't do to go against the faith if you know what's good for you.

Credit to Manx Radio on this one. A proper discussion programme without the usual budget nodding dogs. Very well done this time.

It certainly won't be the developers who remedy and compensate for any deficiencies in the flood prevention design. They'll be long gone. Caveat emptor.

Plenty of brownfield sites in Ramsey but they don't want to develop those. Flood plain land is cheap and Wilf is correct. I've seen that whole area under three feet of water. A friend of mine had a swimming pool in his kitchen. If they're having to put houses on stilts that tells you everything you need to know.

Isn't the reality that Manx Radio have been subsumed by Government. It was either 'let it go' or take them fully into Govt. Comms. That's effectively what's happened, but nobody's telling. The decision was probably finally made around the time of the Covid crisis. Any meaningful independence they once had has long gone.

We know what needs to be done (See Woolley's post) but I doubt that Tynwald actually has the power to start taking an axe to all the areas of overspend. The public sector are independent fiefdoms, and not part of government. Revenue deficits are 'not their problem'. We saw it with the rogue MEA loan and we've seen it with the huge overspends at Transport and the Airport. Even if Tynwald had the will, who's really holding the reins ?

The point of a second chamber is nicely illustrated in Westminster, where the Government is struggling to get its Rwanda Bill through the House of Lords. Our lot just nod everything through and pick up the cheque. Corrupt Manx politics.

Unanimous eight votes for the Budget by LegCo. What is the point ?

Allinson's summing up is sounding like the longest Oscars acceptance speech ever. He'll be thanking his mum next. Mr President should be giving him the finger across the windpipe sign.

The further £100 million draw on reserves is the headline figure here. That's the real index of performance.

In what's meant to be the budget debate there are too many members just reading their own prepared department statement. Are they allowed to do this ? The President should be chairing this debate.

Twenty million will go nowhere in the Health Service. It's a black hole and £20m is small change. We need to know where the money's really going before hitting people for more taxes. They'll be back for more next year and the year after that...

Looking after the 5%, that's what it's about. It's what's not in the budget that you should keep your eye on.

It's Putin 'electioneering'. They've got one coming up.

It's gone downhill since Del Boy moved over there.

Has Phil Gorn taken over the Mannin Line now ? He's managed to turn the clock back from 2024 to 1954 already. There's a sly agenda with him behind all the bumble.

Wonderful casting to put a young Ian Lavender as Pike in among all those veterans. He was so good that he often nicked scenes from the wonderful talent around him. Years later when he was on Celebrity Mastermind, the first question was 'What is your name' ? One of the other contestants (Rick Wakeman) shouted 'Don't tell him Pike' !

Well he got away with it for long enough. It was only when a UK company got involved that he was stopped. The Island has always been a crooks paradise.

It wouldn't be allowed. Simple as that.

No you wouldn't Helix. That's not your mindset.