It is useful at times of `nationalist unrest’ to reflect on just how impartial the organs of the State are.
With Mannin currently experiencing a period of political turbulence caused by a variety of conflicts with the United Kingdom, where do the allegiances of establishment institutions here lie and what would nationalist who decided to confront these threats be up against?
The Isle of Man still has a Crown representative with the anachronistic title of Lt Governor. This post, we are assured, has been stripped of most of its powers and is in no way influenced politically from the United Kingdom. Strange then that the current incumbent (famous for his Xmas messages in the past but strangely quiet this year) has had his period of office extended because of the imminence of the UK general election.
Then there is the Isle of Man Constabulary. Now do not be fooled by that `Isle of Man’ prefix. Via the Governor at times of crisis it is clear where the direction of this `independent’ police force comes from.
Take the last constitutional upset that we had five years ago when the Chief Minister of the day was forced to stand down. On December 20th 2004 the London Times reported:
“In the letter, the parliamentarian requested that the Governor bring in a mainland British police force to investigate the controversial claims made against Mr Corkill. The next day, Air Marshal MacFadyen visited the Queen as part of a regular visit, where he is believed to have discussed the matter. A day later he called in Mike Culverhouse, the Chief Constable, “for a chat”. It is understood that in a brief conversation the phrase “do what you have to do, without fear or favour,” was used frequently.”
It makes one wonder how often these days the Head of Police and the Representative of the Head of State have these `chats’ and more to the point what they chat about?
Finally, there’s the judiciary whose integrity and indpendence must surely be beyond doubt – well not quite:
“The First Deemster, Second Deemster and Judge of Appeal are appointed by, and hold office during the pleasure of, Queen Elizabeth 11 (acting on the advice of the Secretary of State for Justice). Additional Deemsters are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor on the recommendation of the First Deemster. By virtue of being ex-officio Deputy Governor, the First Deemster acts in place of the Lieutenant Governor in the latter’s absence, or during a vacancy in that office.”
Despite the so called `self-government’ that the Isle of Man projects, the place is basically just a colony controlled by the Crown who in turn have their strings pulled by the United Kingdom government.
Colonial Government ! Colonial Justice ! Colonial Police!