USA negotiations with N Vietnam in early 1970s (Paris Accords) excluded S Vietnam; the peace, along with US assurances were soon broken. Let’s hope USA-Russian negotiations have more success despite parallels.#isleofman

IOMG’s statement on protecting the Island from organised crime, while overdue, is very welcome. Repairing our damaged reputation will take time & tackling entrenched crime will be tough #isleofman

Freddie, along with many animals on the IOM, was pleased to see the drone display in Douglas. He hopes in future these will replace expensive, polluting & animal-frightening firework displays #isleofman

Global economic turmoil offers IOM a great opportunity to provide a safe, stable base for families & business to grow. To do so it must have sound finances, good public services & clear tax policies; why doesn’t IOMG provide them? #isleofman

IOM Treasury’s lack of clear policies on pensions, taxation, health levy, control of spending, NI fund, migration & economic growth are destabilising the economy & upsetting locals. Stop blaming CoV, tariffs etc; the fault lies with Treasury #isleofman

Reforming the Isle of Man Government youtu.be/OizRyzOXBUw?si… via YouTube

Chris Robertshaw on IOM TV is worth watching. It contains a thought-provoking analysis of the problems besetting IOMG with suggested solutions #isleofman

IOMG must follow UK’s overdue but logical move to train local workers while stopping low paid migrants. Costs greatly exceed benefits, pressure is put on services & visa migrants are often exploited & their lives ruined #isleofman

IOMG’s main entrance; dirty, disorganised & downbeat is unfortunately representative of today’s lack of standards

IOMG’s policy of attracting low paid workers reduces productivity, is a net drain on the public purse & increases poverty in the local workforce. Until this is recognised the situation will worsen & won’t be alleviated by tinkering with allowances & platitudes. #isleofman

IOM GDP latest data show personal income <£2 bn; public sector wages, having risen over 30% in 5 years, are now >£1/2 bn ie over 25% of total. Manx data is incomplete but the rapid rise & high % share of IOMG wages is very worrying & clearly unsustainable #isleofman

Should IOMG have an online Q&A public forum so that Ministers could address concerns & explain their policies to the electorate? This would be more effective than FOIs & Road Shows & always up-to-date #isleofman

IOM’s focus on labour shortages may soon be replaced by worries over unemployment. Weak labour market in UK, along with our stagnant private sector & lack of a credible growth strategy is a cause of real concern & should be addressed urgently #isleofman

IOM regulators’ focus on process & tick boxes is crippling business yet is ineffective against real criminals. Business acumen, intelligence & judgement is needed to provide sensible balance. #isleofman

IOMG, in the absence of proper debate & data, pays for Moodys to produce a rating on questionable evidence. Manx electorate deserves better & should challenge claims of success based on this report given the agency’s history & methodology. #isleofman

IOMG’s confusion over tourism hides a real misunderstanding; they should be focused on income to the IOM not crude visitor numbers. A lesson that was learned years ago but apparently now forgotten. #isleofman

IOM’s Chief Minister finally recognises that uncontrolled migration must be curtailed. A new plan is required which is based on quality rather than quantity & a focus on improving the lives of Manx residents #isleofman

IOM’s economy is in trouble yet this is officially disputed. Despite the lack of adequate data, a basic understanding of the Manx economy shows that we have problems. The honesty & credibility of those denying this must be questioned #isleofman

IOMG must act now on the superb presentation by Manx business. Underlying problems are lack of economic growth & unsustainable spending. Until these basics are resolved we’ll have growing issues with living costs etc #isleofman

Tynwald’s Economic Review C’tee’s latest report is an excellent must-read analysis that could guide a much needed Manx recovery plan. I hope IOMG will act on it. #isleofman