I have had a day that makes watching paint dry seem like a thrilling spectator sport, *spoiler alert* I was listening to Tynwald.
If you haven’t noticed we’ve upset several people over the past weeks, and last night we even got called out by the DoI Minister in Tynwald – fame and recognition at last.
Sloppy and irresponsible journalism she said! Well, Dr Haywood, can you please explain how one should interpret ‘we will no longer have dedicated school buses, but we will have buses that can be used by the community more generally’ at the end of question with no supplementarys?
I wish we could have Ministers that didn’t make irresponsible or sloppy statements with no time for scrutiny.
Never Get it Back
Whilst listening to Tynwald and accepting this is a day I’ll never get back and there are one million things I’d rather do, this is simply part of my job.
But, as I was listening I noticed there were some spectacular one liners from several MHKs and this left me thinking, if we’ve already upset some, we may as well upset more and jest at some comments made by our wonderful elected members.
Try not to get offended, although after listening today I’m pretty offended that I was listening to grown adults who are paid in excess of £70k per annum speak worse than sixth formers during a prom debate.
The SPATS
Truthfully, I’m here for the T. Listening to this lot when they upset each other is GOLDEN.
I love listening to arguments break out on the floor, and how it could so easily be mistaken for a primary school playground slanging match – and I’m SOOO here for it.
First up, the spat between a former health minister and the current Health Minister.
Health Minister Clare Christian asked Mr Hooper to retract his statements made during a debate on the appointment of Margaret Pratt as a Non-Executive Member of Manx Care.
HOWEVER, Mr Hooper REFUSED as he would not retract something he did not say – this carried on for a while with Hooper adding “the minister is putting words in my mouth”.
Personal Highlights
We also heard Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover announce why he was voting for the DHA plan. The reason? Because it wasn’t set out like a glossy magazine – fair enough.
Hooper was full of the lols today to be honest, he has provided me with many a giggle over the past few years, and today was no exception.
I’m not sure if he’s been watching Charity Shop Sue, but his constant ‘be honest’ made me think he has:
Hooper also highlighted the obvious during Jane Pool Wilson’s spiel on the DHA plan, stating: “Something thats been delayed three times isn’t on track.”
Douglas MHK Chris Thomas told the court he got his first job in 2014 – me too Chris! I think that was Tynwald related, but it made me laugh with no context.
Although… it would explain a lot.
Mr Thomas also brought out his rather sassy side! As the Speaker of the House was closing one motion and moving to a next, Thomas interrupted him to confirm that he had in fact “just closed it”.
Performance of the Day
Finally, Douglas South MHK Sarah Maltby deserves performance of the DAY for her Manx accent.
Not realizing she was about to be called upon, it took Ms Maltby a few moments to get into her character and perfect her Manx dialect.
She began with the Queen’s English accent, however just like a P50, it takes a moment for the Manx engine to really kick in.
Once started, we got to witness a scene similar to many sketches from many a Young Farmers Concert with the strong accent back in tow.
She mentioned Peel and the Wast, I’m not sure where or what that is? I’m assuming she meant West, but it’s up for debate.
All in all, a day I won’t get back and I’m still waiting to hear if common sense prevails and we kick out the minimum wage.
