JLGC staff visited the Isle of Man for the first time last week, in what is hoped to begin a new relationship and understanding of the Crown Dependency, a self-governing island associated with the United Kingdom. Staff met with senior officials of the Isle of Man Government, including Treasury Minister Anne Craine MHK. Discussions covered taxation, reforms to the planning system and the economic promotion of the island internationally. Staff also met with Councillor David Ashford, Deputy Mayor of Douglas Borough Council, the island’s capital.
As well as being an international finance centre, the island is home to a vivid history of myths and legends, as well as a fully operational steam railway serving Douglas and the rest of the island and one of only two horse-drawn tram systems still in existence in the world. Additionally it served as the inspiration for Thomas the Tank Engine, but is also well known in Japan (as Mantou) for being the home of teen singer Beckii Cruel. The island’s legislature, Tynwald (above), is known locally as ‘the wedding cake’. It is regarded as the world’s oldest parliament, having met continuously since 979.
