Government finances have read a little like recent weather forecasts, with a gloomy outlook, risk of budget overtopping particularly in health, and economic storms battering our sparse reserves. One former Treasury Minister who wasn’t afraid to grapple with the economic challenges of the day was Eddie Teare. He talks to Perspective about how he went about preparing a budget and considers what next week’s Budget might deliver. As if economic circumstances were’nt bad enough the aftermath of last month’s sackings has caused some disaffection in Tynwald ranks. Will next week’s Budget include brighter spells and sunny uplands?

Manx farmers are being challenged at the moment with several significant issues hitting all at once. As if the debilitating cattle disease Blue-tongue, a change in UK and IoM cattle health status, and ongoing problems with the meatplant weren’t bad enough a very wet winter and uncertainly over animal waste charging are adding to farmers woes. Can the Isle of Man Government’s stated aim of achieving food security for us be delivered in such trying circumstances. There’s no doubt times are hard for Manx farmers who are all hoping things will mooooove in a better direction soon.

Former Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood had the fairly straightforward task of bringing forward a Local Government Bill which was generally supported by local authorities. Along came Lawrie Hooper with an amendment which caused angst and anger among local authorities and was subsequently used as a one of the reasons for the Minister’s sacking. Find out what the Bill actually does and why the amendment caused so much consternation on Perspective . With so much they agree how did the Minister and local government become so divided?

What Tynwald lacked in length this week it more than made up for in big announcements and policy changes. The Order Paper soon had the hefty addition of a statement on the Chief Minister’s reshuffle with two Ministers either ‘stepping down’ or being sacked depending on who you listened to. While Alf Cannan’s statement and a cooling in enthusiasm on the living wage grabbed the headlines, homelessness, the Island’s cattle health status and a call for a forensic audit of health were also covered. Is that the popular sound of a screeching u-turn I hear?

Blein ny Gaelgey is a year-long, Island-wide celebration of the Manx language. The Year’s website claims that it’s for everybody – Manx speakers, people who don’t know any Manx yet, people who call the Isle of Man home, and visitors to these shores and it will be fun and accessible, and provide ways to engage for everyone! On Perspective this week we hear from two of those hoping we’ll all be dusting down our Moghrey Mies and Fastyr Mies and making Blein ny Gaelgey a great occasion for our Manx Language. If you’re a little cynical about the language then this week’s show might well soften even the hardest of hearts.

Jane Kelly is the Emergency Planning Officer for the Isle of Man Government and leads the Civil Defence team. We’ve probably all relied on her team’s expertise during storm and weather events, and though we might not know it we are all a lot safer because of the plans she and her team have created for the unlikely but possible emergency events we could face. Find out more about her work on Perspective. Are we becoming too reliant on government to solve all our problems and could we perhaps do a bit more to help our selves?

On Perspective this week we hear from local historian John Manley about his research into the history of Ballamona Hospital. Prior to Ballamona life in the Isle of Man for people with mental illness was pretty bleak so the opening of a dedicated hospital to provide care was a major step forward. The hospital closed in the 1990s as it was deemed to be better to support people in the community.

It’s probably not unreasonable to say that over the past year Perspective has delivered a fair proportion of political angst and reflected the increasing polarisation of political debate. As it’s Christmas and we reflect on Christian messages of hope and peace I thought for the last Perspective of 2025 we should give you a more positive and encouraging program. Michael Manning, the eighth Manx Bard has recently published a collection of his poetry titled Graih. Michael Manning want’s to sing some new songs of hope and positivity. Will anyone listen? Let’s hope so.