Stu Peters

I went to Grammar School. We were taught Latin. I never understood the importance of it then, but I do now. It pisses you off…

Bit of a volte face? You were mad for this green nonsense and electric cars. Mind you, there's little more eco friendly than a nice old diesel S-Class.

Because Treasury is trying to balance the books - which I'm sure you welcome - and ALL departments are being asked to help (not just those involved in Liverpool and The Prom overspends). This administration either inherited previous problems are is dealing with the after effects of Covid, Brexit and now Ukraine and recssion. So people might have to avoid potholes for a bit longer.

You seem not to understand a point I've been making for two years - a single MHK can't demand anything. I've been told I should exercise my authority as a DOI member to get the road near me at Mount Murray fixed sooner (something I'm sure would go down well here) and refuse to do so. Fact is, DOI looks at repairs and maintenance and prioritises jobs based on danger, traffic flow, type and estimated cost of repair etc. Like all deparments we're under the cosh financially and can't do everything all at once.

Yeah, but I wouldn’t ask to go to Manila. Here’s a thought; elect MHK’s every five years and support them instead of instantly trying to pull them down, question their integrity or sanity and call them stupid. I’m going to spend less time on here because it depresses me. That’s not a flounce, but a realisation that colleagues have been right who have been telling me for years that I’m wasting my time trying to explain or debate on social media.

Sure, I appreciate that. But it makes it impossible to determine the experience or validity of posters. For all I know half the people on here could be trolling schoolchildren with big ideas but no life experience.

It’s not a room, it’s a bucket. If it was a room, rather than a disparate collection of anonymous serial complainers, I’d make the effort.

This thread should really be titled ‘Manx Crab Syndrome - a perfect example’. The usual suspects on this forum would be the first to criticise Tynwald members for not engaging more widely. I’m tempted to see if the CPA will organise an ‘e-gaming for small islands’ conference in Las Vegas just to have you all snapping your claws in furious indignation.

You will dismiss this no doubt, but this administration INHERITED these problems and is trying to resolve them.

Why? Because I quote facts or because you’re laying down markers for another campaign in 2026?

Too early to say. Ask me again in 2 years.

Ah, you’ve added. Depends entirely on the circumstances.

Because you were sitting on it. Health and safety etc.

My constituents usually come to me with real problems or issues and I do my best to resolve or redirect them. MF is a different animal, not least because I have no idea who I’m talking to and whether people are just looking to pick a fight or score points. So if you want a proper answer, email me: stu.peters@gov.im If you want an opinion or a bit of banter, ask here but be prepared for a less formal response. That might involve inappropriate language or humour. Arf!

What’s your question. If I can answer it I will.

As I’ve said before Kopek, MF has always been a bit of fun for me with some robust banter (where I usually come second). I’m sorry if you find my sense of humour too flippant - I enjoy having a smile and hope others feel the same. Becoming an MHK hasn’t made me into a prudish Victorian (except for a day in July). I answered NB’s question about selection quite clearly a day or so ago, but he keeps implying that I’ve avoided it.

And that’s why I get irritated. My initial comment was that business trips were no fun to me and I’d rather stay at home, and you’ve twisted that into me admitting I had no experience in the topics discussed or interest in the trip. I also explained that I applied to go, nobody press-ganged me. Most days I’d rather stay at home than go to the pub or a restaurant. Doesn’t mean I dislike pubs, food or beer.

Yes I have said in public and in DOI that I think it should be reinstated. However, the newspaper headline was disingenuous as it made it look as if only politicians got free parking - AFAIK it was made free to all government workers during Covid and never reinstated. I can afford to pay it, many people probably can’t.

I try to answer any question quickly and truthfully, unless that involved confidential information. Sometimes I don’t know the answer - I presume the Clerk of Tynwald’s office or the CPA decide who should go on trips, but I don’t know. Unfortunately some answers I give lead to further demands for detail which I’m not in a position or prepared to give, or which I consider vexatious or an attempt to twist my words against me.

Things have clearly changed since the 60s when you presumably went on them.

I’m sorry, I thought it was a ridiculous post so chose not to engage further. Which is still the case, but now you know why.

I liked that in the Dail there’s a time limit on debates (and have suggested we consider that here), and was surprised to learn that it is widely understood that PMQ’s is theatre rather than serious business. The trips are organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association - they ask for expressions of interest and presumably award trips to the best looking and most fun applicants.

That’s a reasonable question, I’ll ask at the next meeting.

I’ve been on two, one to Westminster in 2022 and one to Leinster House a month ago. They were both useful in understanding neighbouring parliaments. I would rather have stayed at home though, there is little ‘jolly’ about business travel - but that’s possibly just me.

I don’t know - have you told them? You should if you have a legitimate concern…oh no, maybe not - you’d have to put your real name to something.