One Rule for us, Another Rule for Them?

After yesterday’s announcement that parking fees at the airport are going up and the free one hour parking is being slashed to 15 minutes, our attention has been drawn to an answered question.

For anyone in doubt, the change to hour free parking is being used to recoup some of the airport’s losses.

Anyway, the question we had highlighted to us was one about Tynwald members parking, which is currently free and has been for some time.

Yes our elected members (and the MLCs) get free parking in the heart of Douglas, but one MHK wants to see that changed, step forward John Wannenburgh (Douglas North).

Mr Wannenburgh has a written question tabled, which asks: ‘What steps have been taken to ensure Tynwald members recommence paying for parking; and will the charges be applied retrospectively to October 2021?’

The question was due to be answered by March 30, but as of 8.40am this morning, the DoI Minister hasn’t got round to it.

It just begs the question, at a time when the working people of this island are seeing increases in everything and the DoI can find the time to increase our parking costs, why should Tynwald members, who are paid a good deal more than many of us, not be paying for theirs?