We can learn a lot from the Isle of Man

While meeting the Chief Minister, we discussed how our economies could work more closely together and also the huge benefits of the link road for companies in the Isle of Man.

We discussed at length my idea for an enterprise zone in the White Lund area and the Chief Minister was hugely supportive of this idea.

The Chief Minister invited me to take a TT Experience Trike tour on the course of the TT.

“Morecambe Missile” John McGuinness is a hero in the Isle of Man, as he is in Morecambe, and the Chief Minister was keen for me to experience the course of the TT, especially McGuinness’s corner.

I can’t say I went even half as fast as the riders in the TT, but it certainly gave me a feel for the course.

Also while in the Isle of Man I met with the Speaker of the House of Keys, Steve Rodan MHK.

I have worked with Mr Rodan in the past to stop permission being given for wind turbines which infringe on the shipping lanes in the Bay.

I also met with Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson and Minister for Economic Development Alf Cannan MHK.

Minister Cannan shared with me the key areas that the Isle of Man economy relies on including manufacturing, tourism and the TT.

The Isle of Man is an exemplary economy, as it has no national debt and Ministers always budget for a surplus in their plans.

I also received a presentation from their head of tourism, which I found very interesting as it was a blueprint that the officers in the council here should be using to encourage more visitors to the area.

I was shown promotional video by free runner Will Sutton, which showed all their landscapes in a different way and is designed to attract new visitors.