It might be easier to talk about what Tynwald didn’t discuss this week in their rare three day sitting. Housing or lack of it was discussed, the future of our pensions, health, drugs, energy, food, the Post Office, education, dyslexia and the constitution were all squeezed in to a very busy Tynwald sitting and Perspective was there to record some of the highlights. Yes a spicy seasonal winter mix of politics on Perspective this week. And there is of course the unanswered question of who will pick up the reins at the Health department - anyone fancy it?

It’s November Tynwald next week and probably the most important item is what changes are need to ensure the National Insurance Fund - and the pensions it helps to pay - remain sustainable in the future. Treasury Minister Alex Allinson MHK explains the changes he’s considering which includes replacing the triple lock promise for future pension increases, and increasing the options for use of the NI Fund. We also hear from former Treasury Minister Eddie Teare who explains what previous administrations did to make the fund more sustainable. An attack on pensions or a prudent step to control government finances? Certainly bold suggestions by government.

The Assisted Dying Bill 2023 is being progressed now through the Legislative Council and at the Principles Stage of the Bill there was a successful call for further evidence to be taken. The vote in LegCo was seven in favour of the Bill with just one against. We’ve heard a lot over the past year or so about the case in favour and against the principle of introducing legislation to allow people to end their life so on Perspective this week we’re considering what the legislation now looks like, why new evidence is needed to be considered what concerns remain.

Why do we have a Chief Minister? Is it to provide leadership to the government or political direction perhaps? Is the role all about consensus building in Tynwald? Perhaps it’s all of these things and more? Certainly the debate which preceded the Keys “no confidence vote” this week covered all of these possibilities and more. There was some quite profound discussion and erudite thinking in the House of Keys which ultimately saw the Chief Minister comfortably survive the vote. On Perspective we consider some of the points made and what, if any, lessons have been learned? A storm in a tea cup maybe but has the cup been dangerously cracked in the process?

So much to talk about on Perspective this week. Some Tynwald leftovers - whistle blowing and a Manx framework for awarding degrees, the fallout from Lawrie Hooper’s resignation, a new chief minister candidate explains why he’s putting his name forward, energy policy, Crogga and a suggested half billion raid on our NI fund. Julie Edge and Chris Thomas give their views on all of the above and ask the Chief Minister to step down rather than facing a no confidence vote. Do you think we need a new name on the Chief Minister’s door or is political stability and getting on with the job more important?

October Tynwald proved to be a much more lively affair that we had expected. As he resigned his Health Minister role, Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper accused the Chief Minister of undermining Manx Care and wishing to privatise health services, and repeated his assertion that Health is underfunded not over budget. The Chief Minister responded by robustly denying that he or CoMin plan to privatise health and releasing a damning report into the financial governance of Manx Care which hadn’t been shared with government prior to the former Minister’s departure. A bit early for bonfire night but expect fireworks!

Tynwald returns from its summer recess next week so what does the Order Paper tell us about what the Government has been up to since July? You might expect members to be keen to debate the Manx Care overspend but there are just a few questions and one motion on health and perhaps surprisingly no statement from the Health Minister. Maybe the Chief Minister will reveal more in his autumn statement? MHKs Claire Christian and Rob Callister pick over the relatively small number of motions on Perspective. We’ll not be just going through the motions on this week’s show.

We’ve heard a lot from Ministers over the past few weeks about their plans and progress in getting to grips with the big issues facing the Isle of Man, so on Perspective this week we invite three private sector leaders to mark government’s card. Economist John Webster, Farmers Union official Sarah Comish and Carl Joughin from the licenced victuallers association consider what we’ve learned from the recent Government Conference and discuss how well supported businesses feel. Will government get a gold star or see me after the lesson.