Rob Callister

[joebean]

56 minutes ago, De nada said:

One its core objectives is to benchmark good governance and to set the highest standards of democratic governance.

This is quote from Callister, copied into De nada’s post. I imagine quite a lot of money has been spent sending our here today and gone tomorrow politicians to previous CPA conferences, over many years. Clearly, the objective is not being met now or in the past. On that basis, I would label attendance as a “jolly” and suggest the money that would be spent on travel, accommodation and expenses be donated to IoM Hospice instead. We could all support that. 

Edited March 9 by joebean

[WTF]

1 hour ago, De nada said:

Is Callister right...?

Quote by R. Callister...

It is disappointing to see some of the comments being posted online over the past few days towards my three Tynwald colleagues who travelled to Malta this week, in order to attend the 10th British Islands and Mediterranean Region Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians’ Conference.

Firstly, the Manx Parliament cannot live within its own “political bubble” and I would fully understand that particular point even if I wasn't a Member of Tynwald; and secondly  these trips are planned many months in advance, so it is pure coincidence that this conference happened so soon after this year’s budget.

The Manx Parliament is part of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), which links Parliamentarians and staff from over 180 Nations, States, Provincial and Territorial Parliaments and Legislatures across the Commonwealth through its network, which was founded in 1911.

One its core objectives is to benchmark good governance and to set the highest standards of democratic governance.

In order to help answer some of the questions or comments raised, the Manx Parliament pays an annual fee to the CPA, which according to a freedom information request a few years ago I think the fee is around £20k to £24k per annum.

The CPA holds hundreds of meetings, presentations, workshops and conferences online each year, but the actual main CPA Conferences are organised in order for Members to get together from around the Commonwealth, in order to attend various workshops, presentations and to get an opportunity to network and build those very important political relationships.

Although each Conference programme will be different, the activities each day would normally last around 7 or 8 hours, and that doesn’t include any formal events that you may be requested to attend in the evening.

The only opportunity you get to see any of the local area is normally a couple of days before the conference starts or in the evenings when nothing else formal is happening, you really don’t get a lot of free time.

As for the selection process, details of each Conference is sent to all Tynwald Members who can put forward their names for consideration, but not everyone does. If there are more Members than places  available, then there would usually be vote taken in order to select the Members to represent the Manx Parliament at that event.

In respect of travel costs, the Isle of Man Members always travel “Economy” and not Business Class or First Class as posted online, and as for the hotel accommodation we always go for reasonable or budget hotels unless the particular hotel has been tied to a conference which is happening on location.

Once you return from a Conference, you are also expected to give a full presentation to your Tynwald Colleagues, in order to give an overview of the Conference and the benefits etc.

The main 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference will be held in Sydney, Australia in November, which will be attended by hundreds of Members right across the Commonwealth - it’s a massive event.

Given the fact that someone has already felt it necessary to post on social media that I will be attending that Conference in November with another Tynwald Member and a Clerk, I’m happy to confirm the same.

It is disappointing to see that someone did that because the only people that know about the Members selected to attend the St Helena (May) and the Sydney, Australia (Nov) Conferences are Tynwald colleagues - I guess that’s politics for you….

I’m also happy to confirm that due to other commitments here on the Isle of Man, I will be attending the Sydney Conference and then flying straight home again without extending the visit, which will be a round trip of about 10 or 11 days only.

As always, I will put full details of that particular Conference online once I return home.

that's the pussy vote sorted for a few years time then .

[La Colombe]

1 hour ago, De nada said:

One its core objectives is to benchmark good governance and to set the highest standards of democratic governance.

Jesus, which manual did he get that pearl from? 

[Holte End]

Is this true @Stu Peters @Chris Thomas is @Rob Callister the only member to pay for his own postage sent out from the office.  I have received letters from Rob on Tynwlad paper but can't remember if the letter had a stamp on it, not something you check for. But this is damning on the other MHK's if true.

[Dirty Buggane]

2 hours ago, De nada said:

Is Callister right...?

Quote by R. Callister...

It is disappointing to see some of the comments being posted online over the past few days towards my three Tynwald colleagues who travelled to Malta this week, in order to attend the 10th British Islands and Mediterranean Region Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians’ Conference.

Firstly, the Manx Parliament cannot live within its own “political bubble” and I would fully understand that particular point even if I wasn't a Member of Tynwald; and secondly  these trips are planned many months in advance, so it is pure coincidence that this conference happened so soon after this year’s budget.

The Manx Parliament is part of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), which links Parliamentarians and staff from over 180 Nations, States, Provincial and Territorial Parliaments and Legislatures across the Commonwealth through its network, which was founded in 1911.

One its core objectives is to benchmark good governance and to set the highest standards of democratic governance.

In order to help answer some of the questions or comments raised, the Manx Parliament pays an annual fee to the CPA, which according to a freedom information request a few years ago I think the fee is around £20k to £24k per annum.

The CPA holds hundreds of meetings, presentations, workshops and conferences online each year, but the actual main CPA Conferences are organised in order for Members to get together from around the Commonwealth, in order to attend various workshops, presentations and to get an opportunity to network and build those very important political relationships.

Although each Conference programme will be different, the activities each day would normally last around 7 or 8 hours, and that doesn’t include any formal events that you may be requested to attend in the evening.

The only opportunity you get to see any of the local area is normally a couple of days before the conference starts or in the evenings when nothing else formal is happening, you really don’t get a lot of free time.

As for the selection process, details of each Conference is sent to all Tynwald Members who can put forward their names for consideration, but not everyone does. If there are more Members than places  available, then there would usually be vote taken in order to select the Members to represent the Manx Parliament at that event.

In respect of travel costs, the Isle of Man Members always travel “Economy” and not Business Class or First Class as posted online, and as for the hotel accommodation we always go for reasonable or budget hotels unless the particular hotel has been tied to a conference which is happening on location.

Once you return from a Conference, you are also expected to give a full presentation to your Tynwald Colleagues, in order to give an overview of the Conference and the benefits etc.

The main 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference will be held in Sydney, Australia in I’m also happy to confirm that due to other commitments here on the Isle of Man, I will be attending the Sydney Conference and then flying straight home again without extending the visit, which will be a round trip of about 10 or 11 days only.

Oh my heart bleeds for you, I would not bother going. Unable to extend the trip, thats what worry's you, how about justification for it in the first place ie how it is going to help solve problems with housing and gov bloat

[Casta]

5 minutes ago, Holte End said:

Is this true @Stu Peters @Chris Thomas is @Rob Callister But this is damning on the other MHK's if true.

No it's not. Only a knacker would pay their own stamps for business. It appears to be a cheap trick to gain some sort of moral high ground.

Edited March 9 by Casta

[Albert Tatlock]

12 minutes ago, Holte End said:

Is this true @Stu Peters @Chris Thomas is @Rob Callister the only member to pay for his own postage sent out from the office.  I have received letters from Rob on Tynwlad paper but can't remember if the letter had a stamp on it, not something you check for. But this is damning on the other MHK's if true.

Hardly. The last thing we want is a competition like that IMO. "I'll give 10% of my salary to charity" type thing.

The price of a stamp is insignificant compared to what they all should be concentrating on...cutting the bloated civil and public service management (including restructuring and slimming down the post office) - and getting the generic project management function working effectively.

This is petty and won't fool anyone with half a brain.

 

[StrangeBrew]

Michelle Haywood has posted to say that there is no additional cost to the taxpayer and that the CPA picks up the tab for these trips (although we pay an annual contribution towards the CPA). That doesn’t really tally with what Rob is saying.

[Fred the shred]

And if you go on FB Michelle H.   is stating this trip is not being paid for by the tax payer.

[joebean]

I suggest, if Rob Callister is going to Australia for this jolly, we put him in a parcel and get him to pay the postage. 

[Rob Callister]

23 minutes ago, Holte End said:

Is this true @Stu Peters @Chris Thomas is @Rob Callister the only member to pay for his own postage sent out from the office.  I have received letters from Rob on Tynwlad paper but can't remember if the letter had a stamp on it, not something you check for. But this is damning on the other MHK's if true.

I cant speak for any other Tynwald members, but any mail I send out from the office is invoiced and I pay amount at the end of the month….I have done that for the last six or seven years, it’s far easier than buying stamps every month. 

To be fair, I probably sent out more letters than most members, and that is the reason why I feel it’s only fair that I pay for the postage. 

 

 

[Dirty Buggane]

Show the invoice for the airfare, I would be more impressed.

[Non-Believer]

8 hours ago, joebean said:

This is quote from Callister, copied into De nada’s post. I imagine quite a lot of money has been spent sending our here today and gone tomorrow politicians to previous CPA conferences, over many years. Clearly, the objective is not being met now or in the past. On that basis, I would label attendance as a “jolly” and suggest the money that would be spent on travel, accommodation and expenses be donated to IoM Hospice instead. We could all support that. 

We have previously despatched politicos on CPA trips to jurisdictions to impart our knowledge to those jurisdictions on responsible and best fiscal practice...

[Happier diner]

6 hours ago, Holte End said:

Is this true @Stu Peters @Chris Thomas is @Rob Callister the only member to pay for his own postage sent out from the office.  I have received letters from Rob on Tynwlad paper but can't remember if the letter had a stamp on it, not something you check for. But this is damning on the other MHK's if true.

Would you pay for postage in your job?

[Mr Helmut Fromage]

7 hours ago, Rob Callister said:

I cant speak for any other Tynwald members, but any mail I send out from the office is invoiced and I pay amount at the end of the month….I have done that for the last six or seven years, it’s far easier than buying stamps every month. 

To be fair, I probably sent out more letters than most members, and that is the reason why I feel it’s only fair that I pay for the postage. 

 

 

It’s all a bit typical virtue signalling whilst ignoring the main issues as usual Rob.

Wave the budget through without question then make a “look at me” fb post about ousting the CM without actually putting your own thoughts or opinion to the public- but you will probably say you asked your electorate.

Telling people you buy a few stamps in a rare MF reply only highlights your inept performance, childish social media understanding and lack of respect for integrity and intelligence of the tax payer.

For reference you can vote via reactions for this - but you’d probably vote against yourself again….