What a day in Manx politics

What a day in Manx politics. I don’t really get it. I know small things matter and how one can change a stance. It is going to be expensive, perhaps even leading to cancelled orders or unused stock, misuse of time, lack of progress across the board It is no way to run a government

However, we still have to ask three basic questions that are of far greater importance:

  • Are health services working? That is, do they get people better quickly and inexpensively? → No
  • Is transport working? Can we get on and off the island cheaply and efficiently? → No
  • Is education working? Well, I think it could be a lot better.

As AI explains

🏥 Health Services

  • Core question: Are our health services working — getting people better quickly and affordably?
  • Reality: Demand is rising, costs are high, and waiting times remain a concern. The Isle of Man spends over a quarter of its government budget (≈26%) on health and social care, yet many residents feel outcomes don’t match the investment.

🚢 Transport

  • Core question: Is transport working — can we get on and off the island cheaply and efficiently?
  • Reality: Sea and air links remain expensive compared to other regions. Reliability and affordability are recurring frustrations for residents and businesses, limiting connectivity and growth.

📚 Education

  • Core question: Is education working — preparing young people for the future?
  • Reality: Standards are steady but many believe they could be much stronger. Calls for modernisation, better resources, and alignment with UK benchmarks are frequent.

What did I do

Caught in the Vortex: Balancing Business, Investment, and Life

Sometimes the answer is simple: not a lot. Yet I found myself stuck in a vortex, trying to understand the intricacies of a new lease and whether it’s fairly priced.

I also got caught out on some investments. When P/E ratios climb above 100, you have to be very careful with what you’re doing. Even though I believe the AI revolution is only just beginning, I still lost when two small bets went the other way.

But here’s the realization: it’s more important than ever to adhere to the “thirds rule.”

  • A third for the mind — learning, thinking, and growing.
  • A third for the body — something physical to keep grounded.
  • A third for the spirit — spirituality, purpose, and connection.

Perhaps this balance matters more now than ever before.

WCAS – Patrick Commissoners vote

A quick update:

We must expect and demand much better services. This situation is simply not acceptable, as the site continues to be shut on Mondays and Tuesdays and at lunchtime for the rest of the week.

We still do not receive monthly running accounts. Despite submitting two Freedom of Information requests, the information has not been provided. The recycling bays also remain closed.

Given this repeated failure to provide reasonable information and adequate service, I will be requesting a vote at the December meeting on whether we should continue paying our contributions to the WCAS site until the situation is rectified

Recycling Part 2

♻️
A simpler idea that could be implemented almost immediately is to place tin can recycling containers in the locations mentioned in the other post.

We are currently getting about £20 per tonne for metal recycling at WCAS — which is frankly daylight robbery. As you’ll see compared to the list below, if we’re generating 8 tonnes of recyclable tin in 6 to 8 months at each of our mini recycling centers, we could raise around £2,100 and maybe more. (based on a 50/50 split of pop cans and food cans)
That would allow us to:
– Fund a Children’s Day in Foxdale 🎈
– Make a cash contribution to Glen Maye’s Summer Fête for the adults 🎉

💰 Recycling Values in the UK
The value of recycled materials in the UK varies widely by type, but prices can range from £50 to over £1,000 per tonne depending on the material.
Estimated UK Recycling Values (per tonne)
(See attachment: Screenshot)
Sources: letsrecycle.com price index, Recycle UK Limited

📈 Factors Affecting Value
– Material purity – Clean, sorted materials fetch higher prices
– Market demand – Prices fluctuate with global commodity markets
– Processing costs – Heavier or contaminated materials may cost more to recycle than they’re worth
– Government incentives – PRNs (Packaging Recovery Notes) can influence value for businesses

✨ By starting with tin cans, we create a quick win: visible progress, community engagement, and funds that directly support local events.