ubbiali

To the next election and way beyond until we rid ourselves of the ministerial system, the council of ministers and the cabinet office

but, but we are world leaders in almost everything. Never forget how well to the fore we are in the space race.

Nail absolutely on the head. There is a long, long way to go to meet targets which are way too optimistic

Are we to infer from this that Cannan has no confidence in MHKs (some of whom are members of Comin) and are we also to infer (from the vote) that MHKs and MLCs have little or no confidence in Cannan. Wouldn`t it be interesting for one to propose a vote of no confidence in the other.

Fair comment but shouldn`t Hooper, given the extreme gravity of the situation, been down on this like a ton of bricks immediately and already have the answers/explanations to his queries/comments?. If there is any issue here it needs resolving asap.

I too received notice early this morning by email that my Barclaycard would be withdrawn with effect from 23 June 2023 unless I could provide a UK residential address, which I can`t i.e. I can`t provide a utility bill with a UK address. So I started to investigate alternatives to Barclaycard. At 4.30 this afternoon I received a phone call from Barclays saying I had been identified as a small business owner (I am not) and that I may be interested in another of the Bank`s services. I asked why they were contacting me when, this morning, they had given notice of terminatiion on my Barclaycard facility. The caller said he would speak to his manager who could not provide an explanation. My request to speak to the manager was declined as they could not transfer the call!!! If ever "you could not make it up" was apprporaite this was it. I still have not had the courtesy of an apologetic email from Barclays relating to their earlier email withdrawing the card and my only knowledge of this came via Manx Forums. If Barclays can send out an email to IOM residents withdrawing facilities, why have they not had the decency or the PR nouse to asap send out a correcting email. Has anyone who revceived the withdrawal of card email this morning (i) been identified as a small business owner or (ii) received confirmation from Barclays of their error

Many a true word......

A reserved OK to your last point, but ten of you?

This. And didn`t someone (and no doubt with a sitable entourage) go swanning off to Rwanda recently. Rwanda???

He also says " interestingly this conflict didn`t exist when I was appointed". Could you comment on that?

Lots of bosses??? Manx Care, MHKs, Commissioners, civil servants please note

It seems to me that the Cabinet Office is the complete waste of time. An outdated, vanity project. Whatever did we do before it was created and what has it achieved since and at what cost?

He would appear to be trying to master the art of stating the bloody obvious and hoping the electorate will applaud his reforming zeal.

I cannot recall any recent comment on the current backlogs at Nobles - positive or negative. I finally had a cataract operation after several years on the waiting list and it must be said (speaking as a layman) that the whole procedure was carried out in a thoroughly professional, efficient and user friendly manner. Mr Shafiq and his theatre nurses were exceptional, as were the reception people and the nurses who looked after patients pre-op and post-op. Hopefully inroads are being made into this particular backlog. Whoever recruited this team to Manxcare to tackle this enormous problem are to be congratulated. Perhaps the way forward for Nobles is to co-opt outside professionals when possible?

and wrong and oh so predictable and laughable and just plain daft

I don`t dispute that. Perhaps I should have said "....their survival or otherwise...." I think we agree that the responsibility rests with those charged with the hiring and firing. Whether or not that responsibility is shirked is another matter, it would appear that inertia rules in certain areas.

As with many other professional qualifications there are some real deadheads who hold an MBA. Unfortunately what natters is performance in the job which cannot be assessed before the office holder is appointed and his/her competence can be judged properly. If their suitability for the post is found to be insufficient then their survival depends on the inertia or otherwise displayed by those in chage of the hiring and firing.

There is only one MHK that matters and that is Alf Cannan in his role as Chief Minister. He needs to step up to the plate and assume responsibility for draining the swamp. As a start a few "The buck stops here" notices should be placed firmly on the desks of all Ministers. Anyone found lacking in rectifying the mess, heads should roll. Over to you Mr Cannan

Exactly Gladys, nail on the head.

Douglas Council have discussed pulling this years Carnival as there is no ostensible economicv benefit. They go on to say that traders get no significant benefit, indeed there is evidence that road closures actually cause disruptions. No **** Sherlock. You simply could not make this stuff up.

I agree with your post. Surely Comin is the reason for the dysfunctions and numerous disasters, many of them well known, including two current financial fiascos. Peter Karran had it right when describing the situation which obtains in the Isle of Man as "government by patronage". Nobody has put it better, before or since.

Thanks finlo. So that means something in excess of 2 Olympic size swimming pools per day. Blows me away too Phantom. Good old IRIS, how much did that lot cost?

Not many cats up trees. But there are lots of murders (mudders) to report on, they are always on BBC and they always get solved even if it does take about 6 weeks per case.

Until the poverty committee and all politicians realise that the major problem facing society today is the growing gap between income levels of the well paid and not so well paid. It does not require rocket science to work out that an increase of (say) £10 per week in household expenses may be devastating for those on lower incomes, may be hardly noticed by those on the poverty committee and on similar income levels, but is a drop in the ocean to those on the higher pay scales. This is further exaccerbated by flat rate, across the board pay rises which simply increase the gap. The problem is the ever growing gap between the income levels of those with the lowest household incomes and those above them. Until politicians grasp and address this fundamental point, the gap between the haves and have nots will increase exponentially giving rise to further social problems (and unrest) in the future. With regard to Mr Callister`s glib remark about the Island not needing a food bank, he would do well to remember the old saying about mind in gear before opening your mouth. Not really what you want to hear from a high profile member appointed to a poverty committee, particularly by those who have to utilise the foodbanks. But then again, what do we expect?

which is why the Comin system will never be fit for purpose in the IOM