Paul Speller’s Election Diary.
Thursday, August 6, to Wednesday, August 12. Six weeks until election day.
Clash of the Titanic Egos?
The Mollygate scandal continued to rumble.
Paul Moulton, who has spent years not exactly praising Manx Radio, turned up at Manx Radio for an interview. Alex Brindley, of Manx Radio, was allegedly unimpressed and harsh words were exchanged. And then, surprisingly, the harsh words leaked out.
Later, Paul discussed this with former MHK/current accomplice Chris Robertshaw. This was on his own podcast show, not on Manx Radio.
Having, at least once, been on the receiving end of a colourful tirade against my journalism from Mr Robertshaw, I was relieved to hear the concern he expressed about the bad impression it would have on younger reporters to see people in positions of authority giving journos a hard time for doing their job.
Paul qualifies for inclusion in this election diary due to his unsuccessful campaign to join the House of Keys in 2011.
It was good to see he now appears more sensitive to criticism than not so long ago, when he took no shit for being a pain in the government’s arse.
In a further escalation of the House of Keys tie-ins, Mr Moulton was first invited up the hill to Manx Radio by former MHK, current broadcaster Phil Gawne.
Perhaps it is some kind of elaborate election campaign and all three will unveil their nominations in a collaborative return to save the island.
Or maybe Alex Brindley will.
Election candidates and vampires
A friend down the road got in touch to warn that an election candidate was in the area,
just in case I wished to make myself scarce.
As if!
Anyway, by pure coincidence, I decided to do some gardening. This may have been interpreted as an attempt to effect a barrier and keep the candidate at a safe distance from the front door, while allowing the possibility of conversation.
An hour later, the garden was looking a little neater but no sign of the candidate. I suspect they were in the clutches of one of the chattier householders of our area.
Finally, I received a friendly wave as the candidate was driven away at the end of their shift.
My helpful friend later asked whether it took an election for me to do some long overdue gardening, to which I replied once every five years seemed quite reasonable.
It is possible my friend’s concern initially was due to the fact I have cultivated a reputation of not wanting to discuss politics with candidates on my doorstep.
I use the argument that listening to politicians is often my day job and I don’t need homework.
In truth, I’m an avid reader of vampire novels and fear being tricked into inviting a candidate over the threshold.
Then I’d never be rid.
I wasn’t sure what impact the partial eclipse on Wednesday might have on candidates and my precautionary measures, so I made sure to head out for the evening, just to be safe.
Food for thought
Spent some of the weekend watching live coverage of the Royal Manx Agricultural Show.
Naturally a lot of talk has emanated about the situation the farming sector finds itself in and this talk included input from politicians. In fact, the Chief Minister himself appeared to wish that the government and Tynwald had done more. If only he knew someone.
I am sure there used to always be a fair few farmers in the House of Keys, but by the end of the class of 2026, the field had an empty look to it.
I have talked to others with a superior understanding than mine about the obstacles the agriculture sector faces.
I wonder whether we might benefit from having a one or two from farming stock back in the saddle.
Footnote
If you haven’t worked out the answer to the question at the top, it’s that if any of them get past my front door, they’ll be pelted with garlic.