Speaker A
Hello and welcome back to our special studio. Just a few hours ago, we had these two big first night discussions. And of course, we are the secondary shows, as it's been put to us, with The Leftovers.
Analysis of the 2026 Isle of Man elections focusing on government reform, candidate performances, and voter concerns.
Key Takeaways
- Government reform is seen as essential to restore public trust and improve policy delivery.
- The 2021 'Our Island Plan' has been widely criticized for poor results and ineffective governance.
- Candidate debates revealed a mix of strong and weak performances, impacting voter decision-making.
- Voter frustration stems from ongoing overspending, failed projects, and lack of government accountability.
- Successful candidates must engage in reform processes to ensure a functional and cost-effective government.
What the video covers
- The video discusses the first night of candidate debates for Douglas Central and Ayre & Michael constituencies in the 2026 Isle of Man elections.
- Hosts Chris Robertshaw and Paul Moulton reflect on the large number of candidates and the electorate's skepticism about policy delivery.
- They reference the 2021 election and the resulting 'Our Island Plan,' which has received negative feedback for poor outcomes.
- Power has increasingly shifted towards government departments, weakening the connection between government and the public.
- Chief Minister Alf Cannan's manifesto prioritizes a government reform act to improve functionality, cost-effectiveness, and public engagement.
- The hosts emphasize the need for successful candidates to actively participate in reform efforts to restore trust and deliver policies.
- Candidate performances varied, with some surprising strong contenders and others lacking clear answers to key questions.
- The discussion highlights voter frustration with repeated government overspending and failed major projects.
- There is a consensus on the urgency of reform to address governance issues and avoid further public disengagement.
- The video concludes with reflections on the importance of choosing representatives who will support effective government reform.
Chapters
- 00:00Introduction and Overview of First Night Discussions
- 01:23Reflection on 2021 Election and Our Island Plan
- 02:26Issues with Government Power and Public Connection
- 03:32Alf Cannan's Government Reform Act Priority
- 04:29Importance of Reform and Candidate Engagement
- 06:38Candidate Performances and Voter Impressions
- 08:22Discussion on Incumbents and Election Dynamics
- 09:12Closing Remarks and Election Reflections
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker A
Twos are comparatively The Leftovers, yeah. So, you know, it's Chris Robertshaw and myself, Paul Moulton. And really, we're just going to have a quick sort of summary of what's going on, how we thought it went, and your views.
Speaker A
I mean, so we've got two to get into one show here. What do you think? How did it go? Well, so we've seen 16 candidates tonight.
Speaker A
A lot of people, isn't that a lot? Douglas Central and Ayre and Michael. As somebody who's stood for election four times, I have super empathy for all the candidates and a respect and an admiration.
Speaker A
But I think there's a deep problem. That problem emanates from the electorate seriously now wondering whether the decisions that they make on the 24th of September are going to actually translate into delivered policy. What am I to do?
Speaker A
It's just going back to the same situation in 2021. We had these sort of similar arrangements. People did their best to make the right choice.
Speaker A
The 24 selected candidates assembled in the parliaments and the government offices. They chose their speaker, they chose their chief minister.
Speaker A
And then they were put through an intense program of how to be an MHK,
Speaker A
and also what the policies were going to be. And that was a pretty intense process. And out of that process came something, you'll recall Paul, was called Our Island Plan.
Speaker A
Yes. Right. Now, if you put the Our Island Plan through analysis, which I'm sure people are doing, the returns and the reports on it are very, very negative and poor.
Speaker A
Concurrent with that, we've got a situation where right through the five years power has been drifting towards the departments.
Speaker A
The connection between government and the people has become more and more tenuous. The overspend has continued remorselessly, and major projects have been collapsing around our ears and continue to do so.
Speaker A
So, you're hearing now some of the electorate saying, "What's the point?" What is the point of voting on the part of some people?
Speaker A
And I've argued for a very significant period of time that there need to be reforms.
Speaker A
What you actually heard tonight from both groups, from both groups of eight, yes, they were talking about their policies, and what they believed was right, and there was a wide range of views and opinions, very worth listening to. But one stood out. One very important comment stood out, and that was from the Chief Minister, Alf Cannan.
Speaker A
He advised us that in his manifesto his first priority would be a government reform act.
Speaker A
Now, I'm absolutely sure that that is the right thing to do because what we have to do before almost before we start sorting out what our future policies are going to be, we've got to end up with a government that's
Speaker A
functioning, that's cost-effective, that's re-engaged with the public, that knows how to do major projects.
Speaker A
And I believe that the answers to those questions will come out of the reform bill.
Speaker A
And what I would say to all the successful candidates is engage in that process when they arrive, the successful ones, when they arrive in government, and let's get to a point where we can not only produce good policies, but find
Speaker A
a way of delivering them. And I'm absolutely delighted that Alf Cannan has come forward with this. I mean, he's been in for 15 years. He's suffered the slings and arrows, but what he's learned is what's not working, and to arrive at
Speaker A
this stage now with the conclusion that we need major reform for me is an extraordinary relief, Paul.
Speaker A
I'm talking about what's going on here tonight. You're talking about his manifesto. You're on two different levels here. What did you think about Alf Cannan tonight?
Speaker A
I thought he expressed himself very well. I thought he didn't give himself his usual fire in his belly. It wasn't there at all. In fact, I was surprised how restrained he was.
Speaker A
He didn't really kick in much at all, I thought, at all. I thought he was very serious.
Speaker A
He was very serious. He wasn't powerful tonight. His manifesto is starting to be released. I've read it. And frankly, it's the most effective, the most important manifesto, Paul, that I've heard in many, many years.
Speaker A
Okay. And I asked the candidates, met a number of whom were intimating towards the need for serious government reform. Chris Thomas was one. There were others as well saying, you know, we've got to find
Speaker A
ways of making our government work better. If you think back to some of the major things that happened during the last five years, one of them was this pursuit of "we must have more taxation." And the reaction from the
Speaker A
electorate was one of anger. We're not going to contribute more when we haven't got an efficient government, a cost-effective government, when we haven't got a government that lives within its means. I think that then the successful members, some of them we will
Speaker A
have heard from tonight, are going to address and engage fully in how government needs to work properly in that process of forming a reform act.
Speaker A
That's the way. And that way I think we'll re-engage the electorate in all sorts of ways.
Speaker A
So, I should point out you are coming from this, from you're reading all the manifestos, you're doing that research. I am going to pick my people because we're going to put our names into envelopes and keep them for the
Speaker A
night. But I wanted to do it on what I saw here. I think that was really interesting. And I had some big surprises, I thought. People who really commanded the powerful. Well, I
Speaker A
don't want to give the name away because I'm a thing, but didn't you feel that there were some really people I probably wasn't expecting to be good seemed to have some answers? Some people had no answers to almost anything, which you wonder
Speaker A
before you come into this sort of environment, you might just run it through with a friend to the obvious questions,
Speaker A
and try and answer them because there's nothing worse than saying I don't know. I was able to Yes, I I'd agree with that sentiment. I mean, I was able to narrow it down in one group down to
Speaker A
two and the other one down to three or four from my perspective. So, you've got there six potentials.
Speaker A
And what do you think of having so many people standing? Does that make it surely that the incumbents always have a slight advantage, wouldn't you not say? Because when people go into a voting booth, they'll just see those names, they'll
Speaker A
know them, and it's easier to just tick those ones. Well, there were four incumbents. So, I considered two very strong and two of them
Speaker A
very weak. But you can name names.
Speaker A
On? Because you're saying on the weak inside, so they're not going to win your vote, right?
Speaker A
Well, okay. Do you want me to do that? All right. Well, I thought that Anne Corlett was speaking more like somebody is a spectator than somebody who's been engaged for 10 years.
Speaker A
But she's a very powerful local politician and she That's what she's doing all the time. And even the 20 mile an hour speed limit, which I forgot about, she was really for it. That hasn't damaged her too much, you think? I mean,
Speaker A
even that. It's a local issue. They want them. Let's give it to them. My view is we need people in the house who are going to support the process of making government work properly because these next five years are incredibly
Speaker A
important. Paul, we have to get it right in the next five years. Peter? Who didn't?
Speaker A
Didn't, yeah. We used to say Tim Johnston. Yeah. He used to tell me he didn't want to go into one ministerialship, but he did. And now he's talking as a I want to carry on my job for the next five years.
Speaker A
I've got that. I don't hold him.
Speaker A
Um there's a there's an urgency about all this. There's a there's a real need to to get things sorted out. The world around us um in the Western democracies are in all sorts of difficulties. We've got major issues coming up and we we have got to
Speaker A
get our act together here. And this thing about Alf Cannan, have you always been an Alf Cannan fan or have you just decided that his new manifesto is the best thing since sliced bread or something?
Speaker A
I think he's a well as good as sliced bread is a bit of an understatement.
Speaker A
Well, you're praising him. But I've never heard I can't imagine that I've never seen a manifesto as good as that from anybody.
Speaker A
Okay. But shouldn't we be getting that from somebody like Alf Cannan who's who's suffered all the slings and arrows and and and learn his fire tonight. I mean, you know, if I was just doing it on that, I
Speaker A
would be struggling to think he wants the job again as Chief Minister, if nothing else. What do you think?
Speaker A
Um I I can't speak for him. No, I don't but what do you think? Do you But but I think that somebody who's put a manifesto uh together like that can that can help so many new and and
Speaker A
somewhat and I don't mean this disrespectfully naive members find their way through the system by engaging in the debates and and discussions that will go into how do we get a reform act together? Will help them in enormously.
Speaker A
Um otherwise, they'll just get sucked in like they always do a a and administration after administration by the system and by the time they begin to realize and understand this system doesn't work the way it should, we're 3
Speaker A
and 1/2 years in and we're starting to think about the next election. Who you shouting for cuz you're doing your thing as I said through a different process. So, you can say just from this the two debates tonight, this is what
Speaker A
this is for. People sometimes will to use this as their sort of oh, they know what they're talking about. They they don't and and so on. Who shone for you?
Speaker A
Um if I can just make one other background comment, um I think there's we've lost the folks that we used to have, I think, in electing uh members to the House of Keys in the sense that um door knocking and making your presence
Speaker A
known personally to your electorate was an absolute given. And that seems to have sort of faded to some extent. We've got stuff on Facebook, stuff Turner last night here said he thinks it's still very important.
Speaker A
Well, yes, and I absolutely Oh absolutely. And in that regard, um you have to admire uh Peter Shimmins, who's set his time aside since June.
Speaker A
And he says that he's been knocking on doors. I believe him. That's pretty impressive.
Speaker A
That really is. But that shows a that shows a a dedication and commitment. I have very different views to um the current leader of the Douglas Council.
Speaker A
Um Devin Devin Yeah. Devin Devin, what's his name? Devon Watson. Devon Watson, thank you.
Speaker A
Saved my embarrassment there. Devon Watson, I think he talks too fast, but I think he's learning fast.
Speaker A
Um I do have some um sympathy with some of his views. Well, he's pretty left, isn't he? I mean, he socialist sort of housing things and all that.
Speaker A
But I think I think he's learning as he goes along, you know. Well, he again, he put up a few things he's done in Douglas Council, or City Council as they are now.
Speaker A
I also um I very much enjoyed the person sitting to the right of Alf Cannon.
Speaker A
Uh he's a councilor. Yes. B- Why did you like him? there. Because he's he's robust, he's forthright.
Speaker A
Passionate? Passionate. He he's determined to get his view forward and I think we definitely need more members who have the confidence and yes, I suppose some business experience as well to speak their mind and to stand their ground.
Speaker A
I think the last house I think was weak in that regard. It was weak in business background. It was strong in in net zeros zealotry.
Speaker A
It was strong on political ideology. Let's look forward now. But now this guy was I should really know his name.
Speaker A
Is it Stroud is it or Yes, I'm sorry. I'm thinking myself. Yeah, he he was he was very forthright and I thought you know he he would stand out and learn quickly and um contribute.
Speaker A
Right. Well, [clears throat] that's anything else on your mind now? We've got to do a few more of these so Well, we've got quite a few more of these yeah.
Speaker A
And some of it tonight maybe a technical hitch on getting on our Manx TV but I'm sure we'll get that sorted. Thanks to Julian Turner and the team here because it's I think it's been an epic to have
Speaker A
this setup. An independent bring together the media the independent media of the Isle of Man is something to be done. So I I think cost to the taxpayer.
Speaker A
I couldn't possibly [laughter] say. Absolutely not. But no seriously thank you for watching and we'll be back here doing our post program tomorrow. Maybe I'll try and concentrate on what's going on in the room. But yeah, I know you had to get
Speaker A
that off your system didn't you? Well, yeah well you see it's important. Well, you know I am.
Speaker A
I know. That's why I came to you. going it's going to this issue about getting the government to work and function well is going to make or break No, Paul it's going to make or break the Isle of Man and this is the most
Speaker A
important election in in a number of decades. this thing works. A lot of people are wanting just about dog poop and and a new zebra crossing. That's unfortunately just the way No, I I think Oh, I do I think I think I
Speaker A
would have agreed to you in the with you in the past. I don't think that this is the case. I think not only is the electorate frustrated, it's somewhat angry, it's also worried. And I think there's a a serious mindset outside.
Speaker A
Do you know I can't tell you the number of people recently have come up to me and said, Chris, who should I vote for? And I said, no, I from my perspective I'm I'm still watching carefully. And I will help
Speaker A
people as much as I can, but there's a real anxiety. How are we going to make the next house work? So, um No, I don't quite agree with that's unfortunately just you get used to sort of being just a bit jaded
Speaker A
Yeah, yeah. People get into their ruts. Promise you the world, get in, try whatever it is they were standing on, and then they don't get through cuz they're they're independent.
Speaker A
And then Yeah, I mean there's a there's another thing that the new house will have to deal with, and it's this.
Speaker A
This idea that, oh well, when we need some more money we'll simply ask for more tax. Now, that ain't going to work. What is going to work is that if the new house shows the electorate that they're determined to get the
Speaker A
government efficient, cost-effective, slimmed down and the reform act is that key. That's why I'm so passionate about it.
Speaker A
Um then people will start to be much more empathetic towards their government and be willing to engage in processes to arrive at how we're going to find the money for these important things like health.
Speaker A
We're doing this on Monday nights. If you're watching it now or whatever, tonight tomorrow's program is Douglas Eason and Ramsey. So, that's 7:00 and about around about 8:30 cuz it's 2:00 in the evening. And uh you can put your
Speaker A
questions by getting in touch with uh vote2026.im. Go to that website and uh you'll find out all the details to get hopefully your question put to the candidates. And we will be back to watch it all and put
Speaker A
our little names in an envelope at some point before the big night. You excited?
Speaker A
Well, I'm sure I'm sure people are going to have a a real laugh. Oh, I will get it right because I'm doing it purely No, I will get it right because I'm doing it purely on what I'm seeing, right? You're going to
Speaker A
Oh, that's no fault. That's a that's a cop-out. Well, it is [laughter] a cop-out. I don't know. I definitely think it's a cop-out. And I'm doing one of the I didn't know I was doing this. I'm I'm going to one of the series it's a
Speaker A
return. So, I'll be leaving you by yourself for a while. Yes, I don't go mad. I'll be back.
Speaker A
Okay. So fun. Honestly, thank you again to the team here. Important days and and please resist the temptation Important days and and please resist the temptation not to See you soon.
Speaker A
Bye.
Topics:Isle of Man2026 electionDouglas CentralAyre & Michaelgovernment reformAlf CannanOur Island Planelection candidatespolicy deliveryvoter engagement
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