Minister of Glum’s TT entertainment announcement draws ‘polite’ reception

Tourism Minister, Adrian Earnshaw MHK, announced live on Manx Radio last night (Monday 18^th) that the next century of TT Races would be welcomed in by a last century rock band – Status Quo. Probably expecting wild applause and shrieks of support, from the audience of racers and fans packed into the Royal Hall, instead he drew a muted but polite response.

However, the audience was reassured, by the Minister, that the choice of the aging rockers met with his and, the Chief Minister, Tony Brown’s approval.

The Manx Herald is sure that the taxpayers, who are undoubtedly going to be asked to pick up the tab for this self-indulgent gig, will be relieved, on the basis of this decision, that Mr Earnshaw managed to kill off Street Heritage’s Peel Bay Festival.

Much was also made last night of how the commercial opportunities of the TT were now being promoted; with several sponsorship deals being unveiled.

The Manx Herald wishes to remind the Minister that, in 1992, a group of Island businessmen produced a 10 year plan and proposed to promote all the same commercial opportunities now being pursued. Needless to say they were rebuffed by then Tourism Minister, Allan Bell MHK (he of notorious tourist successes: the replica of the Bounty, the Airport Hotel and the aqua leisure centre to name but three).