Opinion
A Day in the Tynwald Trenches…
There are days in journalism where you finish work and wonder exactly what happened.
Tuesday’s sitting of Tynwald before the September General Election was one of those days.
We spent much of it glued to a screen, headphones in, listening carefully to every question, every answer and every exchange from the Chamber, while working alongside the newsroom to make sure the biggest stories were online (on our sister site – iomtoday.co.im) quickly.
At the same time, there was the small matter of preparing this week’s Manx Independent and Isle of Man Courier, while keeping an eye on everything else happening across the island.
I’m not writing this to give readers a behind-the-scenes look at what a newsroom is like (although I still think there’s something romantic about the old stories of journalists with ciggy butts in overflowing ashtrays and a whiskey at lunchtime – oh how I wish that was the case now).
Instead, I’m writing this because Tuesday was a reminder of just how much happens inside our parliament, and how many decisions, debates and unresolved issues will shape the next five years of Manx politics.
And believe me, there was a lot.
There were so many stories we, as a team, reported on and listened to throughout the day that it would be impossible to mention them all (and some aren’t online yet but the ones that have, I’ve linked below).
But the sheer volume of issues discussed shows the scale of the job facing the next generation of MHKs after September’s election.
First up was the election of a new President of Tynwald.
Juan Watterson was the only candidate, and many expected a straightforward process.
Of course, this is Tynwald, so it was never going to be entirely simple.
After the vote, the acting President initially announced there had been 28 votes in favour and three ‘spoiled’ papers.
That caused a bit of confusion, with members pointing out that the electronic voting system used meant it was not possible to spoil a vote in the traditional sense.
The result was later clarified: Mr Watterson received 28 votes, with two members voting against him, Chief Minister Alfred Cannan and Onchan MHK Julie Edge, while one expected vote from absent member Kate Lord-Brennan was not cast.
Congratulations to Juan, who now takes on the role for the next five years.
I’ll admit, after having a little pop at Tim Glover MHK last week for feeling ‘caged in’ during King Charles III’s visit, I did have some sympathy for him and his colleagues this week.
Because if you’re a politician trying to get your questions asked in a packed final sitting before an election, you probably do feel a little trapped by the clock.
And there were plenty of questions.
Dividing our time in the newsroom between myself and fellow reporter Adam, we tackled the big issues, the ones that naturally end up waiting until the final sitting.
The proposed onshore wind farm was one of the biggest.
The project remains at the pre-application stage, with chairman John Wannenburgh rejecting suggestions it had ‘gone into reverse’.
Chief Minister Alfred Cannan confirmed 49 out of 364 employees who received relocation support between July 2023 and June 2026 had departed.
Then there was the politically sensitive issue of the Bloomberg Businessweek investigation into the island’s online gambling sector.
Douglas East MHK Joney Faragher asked whether Government had considered the article and whether an independent inquiry into Government’s own role should be explored.
Mr Cannan confirmed the Council of Ministers had not formally considered the report, citing an ongoing criminal investigation.
From serious international scrutiny to one of the island’s longest-running frustrations, we then had the National Sports Centre swimming pool tiles.
More than two years and eight months after the issue was first identified, Education Minister Daphne Caine was still unable to provide a timeline for repairs.
The phrase ‘near future’ was certainly tested by members.
Meanwhile, questions continued over easyJet’s future ownership, with Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston confirming Government remained in discussions but could not comment on commercial matters.
Away from my desk, Adam had the latest update on Ramsey Cottage Hospital, another major issue where people are asking when progress will finally happen.
The Sea Services Agreement with the Steam Packet was another major talking point.
Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall admitted he had ‘no idea’ when a revised agreement would be ready, despite work being ongoing for more than a year.
For many islanders, that agreement goes to the heart of the island’s connectivity and cost of living.
And then came the horse trams.
The vote means another chapter in one of the island’s most debated heritage projects.
There were also discussions about the cost of the King’s visit, Kate Lord-Brennan’s dispute with the Standards and Privileges Committee, and countless other matters that will all require attention long after the current members leave office.
So yes, Tuesday was busy. And deffo busier for our members.
Actually, busy doesn’t quite cover it.
It was a day that showed both the importance and the pressure of journalism on the Isle of Man. And it’s likely still ongoing after this has gone out – and more tomorrow!
Behind every question was an issue affecting real people, from ferry fares and hospitals to housing, tourism, infrastructure and the island’s reputation abroad.
The next election will decide who picks up these challenges.
And judging by Tuesday’s sitting, the incoming members certainly won’t be short of work.
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