Bobby Barca

I recently completed the IOM Government Refugee Policy Consultation questionnaire (available for completion until 13th December and is available at: https://www.gov.im/news/2022/nov/01/consultation-will-inform-islands-longer-term-refugee-policy/). This is the first time I have completed any IOM Government consultation, and I have to say I was shocked at how poorly constructed the questionnaire was. It is a basic of any questionnaire that the questions are neutrally worded and do not include leading questions. Unfortunately, this consultation fails miserably in this regard given that most questions are NOT neutrally worded and ARE leading questions, all with a very clear bias towards refugee support. I feel we should all be concerned about this flawed process no matter what your views on refugee support are if this is the manner in which IOM government conducts its consultations, given the implications of such a flawed process also potentially being implemented on future (and perhaps past?) consultations also. The IOM Government has stated that they deem the results of this consultation to be an accurate picture of residents views (they have clearly failed in this regard therefore) and will use the results to prepare government policy on the matter. I really have to wonder if this defect I am outlining is due to incompetence within the government or whether something more nefarious is at play here (ie the biased nature is down to manipulation so that the “desired answers” are gleaned by the cabinet office or that there is some other hidden agenda behind it). I am inclined to learn towards incompetence given many of the questions are also poorly worded, badly framed and too open ended in parts. Either way, given that the consultation is biased by being riddled with non-neutral and leading questions, the results can only be adjudged as null and void. So I am just wondering what views others have on this who have completed the questionnaire? Did anyone else pick up on this or am I way off the mark regarding the flawed construction of the consultation questionnaire?! P.S. This post is around the querying of the process the refugee policy consultation has followed. It is NOT A POST TO AIR AND DEBATE YOUR VIEWS ON THE PERCEIVED RIGHTS/WRONGS AND ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES CONCERNING REFUGEES, so it would be appreciated if you could keep all responses to the matter of the questionnaires construction please.

I haven't watched any of the games, however I did see they had a fan zone for this tournament right in the centre of Manchester (Picadilly Gardens) when I was there the other day. Not a massive size to the fan zone but it seemed pretty popular.

Your best bet is probably looking at https://www.facebook.com/groups/645750152167358/ and also to a lesser extent https://www.facebook.com/groups/661594657339798/ A similar query to yours has highly likely been posted in those groups already, so please use the search functions on those groups to find the info you need before considering making a fresh post with your own specific query.

The Isle of Man needs a "coffee" shops (Amsterdam style), a t1tty bar, and then topped off with a knocking shop......all guaranteed to keep the locals happy, attract tourists and make the place more desirable for outsiders to come and live muhahahaha 😁

Thanks for the pointers wrighty - much appreciated! I particularly like the sound of the philosophy in pubs!

Recently moved to the island and looking to meet new people (especially as I am permanently WFH) as part of any organised “nights out” or “social networks” (for want of a better phrase) for drink-based type meet ups together as a group such as watching sporting events, cocktail nights, pub quizzes, meals out etc etc (basically anything involving booze!!) aimed at, say, those around their late 20s to mid 40’s. Done a pretty extensive search online and not had any joy in finding anything that matches the above, so any pointers would be most appreciated, cheers!!!

Recently moved to the island and looking to meet new people (especially as I am permanently WFH) as part of any organised “nights out” or “social networks” (for want of a better phrase) for drink-based type meet ups together as a group such as watching sporting events, cocktail nights, pub quizzes, meals out etc etc (basically anything involving booze!!) aimed at, say, those around their late 20s to mid 40’s. Done a pretty extensive search online and not had any joy in finding anything that matches the above, so any pointers would be most appreciated, cheers!!!

Based in Onchan, but have a car so can travel

Just wondering if anyone knows of any casual weekly 5-a-side football going on that needs an extra player? Looking for a group generally consisting of players around 25-45 years old roughly, but most importantly who don’t take themselves too seriously given I am not the best player out there (wanting to play for the exercise and the craic more than anything)!! Tried searching on Google and on here (which I am new too) and not had any joy, so any help or pointers would be most appreciated!